Are citizens willing to take action on stormwater management? Adapting to climate change in Finland and Norway

Urban flooding poses a significant climate change risk to cities, threatening both ecosystem health and human well-being. In Finland and Norway, intensifying rainfall and seasonal snowmelt are placing increasing pressure on existing infrastructure, highlighting the need for private action on stormwater management to complement public action. While research has primarily examined citizens’ preferences for public stormwater systems, little is known about how citizens evaluate the tradeoffs between the attributes of private solutions. Using a discrete choice experiment with over 2000 residents in Finland and Norway, this study quantifies tradeoffs made by citizens and estimates the value they place on private management measures. The study contributes to the literature on citizen engagement in climate adaptation and the emerging private market for stormwater management, while providing evidence-based guidance for designing targeted financial incentives and governance strategies that align with citizens’ priorities.