Climate Modeling Knowledge and Its Local Adaptation Challenges with a Focus on Epistemic Co-production Strategies

Abstract

Climate modeling plays a pivotal role in shaping global and regional adaptation strategies, yet its effectiveness often falters at the local level due to epistemic and institutional disjunctures. This paper interrogates the limitations of conventional climate models in supporting localized adaptation and proposes epistemic co-production as a transformative framework for reconciling scientific and situated knowledge. Drawing on interdisciplinary literature and empirical case studies from diverse geographic contexts, the paper demonstrates how co-production processes foster trust, contextual relevance, and procedural legitimacy. The analysis reveals that while co-production enhances the usability of climate information, its implementation faces significant barriers—including institutional rigidity, power asymmetries, and temporal misalignments. Through conceptual synthesis and diagrammatic modeling, the paper advocates for a relational, iterative approach to adaptation planning, grounded in mutual learning and inclusive governance. It concludes by identifying institutional reforms and methodological innovations necessary to embed co-production within mainstream climate science and policy. Epistemic co-production is framed not only as a strategy for improving model uptake, but as a democratizing force in the politics of climate knowledge.