With the rapid development of climate change adaptation over recent decades, a considerable amount of evidence has been collected on maladaptation associated with climate change adaptation initiatives, particularly in terms of risk transfer and risk substitution. Increasing our understanding of maladaptation is important for avoiding negative outcomes of adaptation project implementation. However, maladaptation has received limited research attention. Previous research has focused on frameworks that can assist in defining and avoiding maladaptive risk and be applied to adaptation initiative planning processes. Adaptation may cause more significant influences on spatial land change than the direct effect of climate change does. Identifying the adaptation consequences that are likely to result in maladaptation is crucial. A combination of spatial land analysis and climate change analysis can be used for the aforementioned identification. However, empirical case studies on methods that can assess and evaluate the risk of maladaptation by integrating spatial and temporal aspects in a land spatial modeling tool have not been conducted. The present study aimed to fill this research gap by exploring the existing knowledge on maladaptation to climate change. We examined the interaction among spatial analysis, evaluated maladaptation frameworks, and project design to extend our conceptual understanding on maladaptation to climate change. We adopted a systematic review method that involved considering several questions including the following: (a) What are the definitions and categories of maladaptation? (b) What methods and theoretical frameworks exist for the assessment and evaluation of maladaptive risk? (c) How have climate-related research communities considered issues of maladaptation? (d) What are the experimental studies on land use change that can be referred to for minimizing maladaptive risks in future adaptation planning? In conclusion, further research on maladaptation should integrate spatial land analysis methods to facilitate the identification and avoidance of maladaptive risk in the initial stage of adaptation planning.

This paper describes a group model building activity designed to elicit the potential effects a projected multi-use deep water offshore platform may have on its local environment, including ecological and socio-economic issues. As such a platform is proposed for construction around the island of Hsiao-Liu-Chiu, Taiwan, we organized several meetings with the local stakeholders and structured the debates using group modeling methods to promote consensus. During the process, the participants iteratively built and revised a causal-loop diagram that summarizes their opinions. Overall, local stakeholders concluded that a multi-use deep water offshore marine platform might have beneficial effects for Hsiao-Liu-Chiu because more tourists and fish could be attracted by the structure, but they also raised some potential problems regarding the law in Taiwan and the design of the offshore platform, especially its resistance to extreme weather. We report the method used and the main results and insights gained during the process.

Extreme rainfall events have a negative effect on the coastal area of Jiadung Township in Pingtung County, Taiwan, which experiences critical land subsidence. Local stakeholders have developed various measures for coping with flooding impacts according to past experience. These adaptive measures not only involve managing the impact of heavy rainfall but also resisting the disastrous effects of land subsidence. However, in 2009, Typhoon Morakot caused multiple days of intense rainfall and nearly rendered ineffective the adaptive measures employed to prevent damage. Stakeholders adopt diverse measures according to different needs and vulnerabilities. Consequently, some adaptive measures are likely to cause an increase in the vulnerability of different sectors and induce additional socioeconomic impacts. This paper presents the results of a semistructured questionnaire and field survey conducted for analyzing the adaptive measures adopted by local stakeholders before and after Typhoon Morakot. According to the routes and pathways of maladaptation in the Jiadung coastal area, this study analyzed the main adaptive measures and functions as well as identified the entities affected by maladaptation. Furthermore, this study emphasizes a bottom-up viewpoint for adaptation policy decision makers.

Marine oil spills pose critical challenges to environmental sustainability and socioeconomic stability. Taking four pivotal cases as the entry point, this study uses comparative case analysis, semi-structured stakeholder interviews, policy analysis and international gap comparison to systematically analyze the evolution of marine oil spill governance in the Taiwan region of China over two decades, aiming to identify systemic gaps and propose actionable reforms. By integrating and explicitly detailing these multiple methodologies, this research not only identifies but also systematically examines the Taiwan region of China’s unique challenges as a non-UN-member entity navigating international conventions like the international convention for the prevention of pollution from ships, 1973, as modified by the protocol of 1978 relating thereto (MARPOL 73/78). Key findings reveal persistent issues in decision-support tools, fragmented inter-agency coordination, and legal inadequacies in compensation mechanisms. The study’s novelty lies in its rigorous synthesis of localized case-driven insights compared with global best practices, proposing a concrete, phased model for a unified task force and context-aware, data-driven contingency plans to enhance real-time response efficiency. It further advocates for pragmatic steps to align the Taiwan region of China’s Marine Pollution Control Act with international standards while critically addressing the transboundary collaboration barriers imposed by its political status, exploring potential pathways through sub-national and regional partnerships. Notably, the 2023 Angel Container case underscores the urgency of modernizing enforcement capacities and integrating advanced technologies. By bridging gaps in governance, legal accountability, and practical international engagement, this research not only advances the Taiwan region of China’s preparedness but also offers a nuanced and adaptable blueprint for coastal regions facing similar geopolitical and environmental constraints. Its recommendations hold significant implications for global marine pollution management, emphasizing the interplay of policy innovation, technological adoption, and pragmatic cross-jurisdictional cooperation.