Climate risk perception and coastal adaptation: A systematic review and integrative conceptual framework

This study examines climate risk perception and its influence on adaptive behaviour among coastal communities through a systematic literature review using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) framework. A total of 42 empirical studies across diverse coastal contexts were synthesised. The findings identify four interrelated dimensions of risk perception cognitive, affective, contextual, and individual and show that perceptions emerge from interactions among lived experience, emotional responses, institutional trust, and socio-economic conditions. While cognitive and individual factors are widely examined, affective factors and selected contextual determinants, particularly alternative information sources, remain comparatively underexplored.

Building on the four-dimensional framework proposed by Godovykh et al., the review demonstrates that risk perception plays an important intermediary role in shaping preparedness actions, early warning responses, and livelihood adaptation strategies. The findings further emphasise the importance of risk communication, trust-building, and locally grounded engagement in strengthening community resilience. By integrating evidence across the four dimensions, this review advances understanding of climate risk perception while identifying key conceptual, geographical, and methodological gaps. The findings provide practical insights for behaviourally informed climate adaptation and disaster risk reduction strategies and establish priorities for future research across vulnerable and underrepresented coastal regions.