Understanding Climate Change and Advancing Adaptation in a Third Sector Sustainability Organisation

Climate change is a fundamental social challenge facing humanity. Given the reluctance of governments to take clear political action, the role of third sector sustainability organisations (TSSOs) working within civil society is increasingly recognised as being important. This thesis examines how the Noosa Biosphere Reserve Board of Directors (NBR Board) charged by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) to protect the Noosa Biosphere Reserve, understands climate change and adaptation. Working within a TSSO, the NBR Board develops and initiates community projects, including programs to build knowledge about climate change and to promote adaptive action to address local climatic impacts. Understanding this TSSO’s shared perceptions, which may be considered social representations, of climate change and adaptation is important, as these representations influence the group’s decision making on the types of community engagement projects to undertake.; Submitted in the fulfilment of the requirements of the degree of Doctor of Philosophy, University of the Sunshine Coast, 2017.