Mainstreaming ‘adaptigation’ in city administrations: a taxonomy of different roles of the climate department

How can a joint institutionalization and mainstreaming of climate change adaptation and mitigation—“adaptigation”—be strengthened within city administrations, and what different roles can a dedicated climate department play in this process? Drawing on an exploratory study based on participant observation and document analysis conducted in Würzburg, Germany, this perspective develops a taxonomy of three distinct roles climate departments can take in advancing adaptigation within medium-sized city administrations. The findings highlight institutional dynamics and governance mechanisms as key drivers for progressing toward climate-neutral municipal governance.