Abstract/Summary

Climate change and sea level rise mean that managed retreat of populations away from coastal areas will be increasingly necessary in coming decades. However, decisions involving managed retreat are often a source of conflict between local communities and public authorities. Law and society literature on naming, blaming and claiming provides important insights into how conflicts emerge and end in litigation. This paper applies this literature to examine claims-making beyond just the courts. Drawing on media stories about Fairbourne, a coastal village in North Wales, it explores how residents have mobilised against managed retreat. Data from these stories is analysed using the above naming, blaming and claiming framework. This reveals eight distinct claims, including three stemming from a naming of climate risk and five concerning economic harms. Paying attention to the claims-making process using this tripartite framework aids understanding and may help avoid conflict around managed retreat caused by sea level rise.