A methodology for assessing the adaptive capacity of the forest sector in western Newfoundland

Climate change is and continue to be a major challenge that increases the adaptability requirements of the industrial sector in the future. Determining how much adaptive capacity is needed for sustainable development of the forest sector is a relatively new issue in Canada. This thesis uses the forest sector in Western Newfoundland as a case study to determine an appropriate method for adaptive capacity assessment. The case study used a modified Delphi method to elicit the opinion of local forest sector experts. The result revealed that evaluating adaptive capacity through the assessment of determinants is straightforward and feasible. This methodology is considered to be applicable in the other resource sectors and regions once determinants and data resources can be identified