This article focuses on the policy implementation barriers that result in poor adaptation and enhanced risk of exposure to extreme vulnerabilities, based on experiences in Pakistan. A number of policy implementation barriers are identified including: (i) Whether policy development is seen as a closed or open consultation process, (ii) Whether policy is seen as a generic document or an instrument for specific actions, and (iii) Whether policy administration is seen as a central or devolved process. As a case study, Pakistan's national climate change policy was considered. Pakistan is the eighth most climate change impacted country in the world. The results conclude that a prevalent top‐down frame of management, centred‐around federalism, has created vacuums for misinterpretation, poor understanding amongst policy implementers and false expectations of policy goals. A critical aspect of this disconnect is the lack of inclusivity of critical stakeholder groups in the policy design and development stages thus creating various barriers resulting in mistrust between different governing entities and vice versa. The study also highlights the nature of this problem and recommends a closer examination of the prerequisites of engagement in climate decision‐making for better understanding and implementation of adaptation practices in de‐centralised governance.

The Hawkesbury-Nepean Catchment in NSW, Australia has a unique topography that makes it highly susceptible to flood risks. A recent flood management review has indicated the need for better flood education for the communities residing in the floodplains of the catchment. This research article describes the perceptions of residents to flood risks to their property and factors that can influence this perception. The data was collected through on-line, face-to-face and postal surveys, and the results were derived from the 172 responses received. This article aims to provide a better understanding of the perceptions of the community residing in the Hawkesbury-Nepean Catchment, and to help develop more effective risk communication strategies, to enable better management of floods, and greater level of support from the communities on flood management. Findings of this research show that the communities have a low perception of flood risks in the region and that factors such as proximity to the rivers, gender, age and duration of living in the area can influence perceptions of flood risks to property.