Table 1. Characterization of two participatory action-research case studies in Portugal, in the context of climate change adaptation.

Case study Innovation Stakeholder groups represented by the participants involved External pressures and climate-related impacts Stage of adaptation process (Lim and Spanger-Siegfried 2004, Schmidt-Thomé and Klein 2013)

Municipalities of Ílhavo and Vagos (coastal zone, northern Portugal)
Collaborative long-term adaptation plan for the coast Municipal and district administrations, regional and central governmental administrations, Aveiro Harbor, nongovernmental organizations, local university scholars, resident associations, fisher and farmer associations, surf schools, beach business owners Erosion, rising sea-levels, extreme events (climatic impacts already perceived) Assessment and planning

Municipality of Cascais (city-center in Portugal)
One of first three cities in Portugal to have a Climate Strategy (Cascais 2010) Municipality policy makers and planners, health managers and officials, municipal school representatives, business owners, residents
 
Heat waves, flooding, human health (climatic impacts are anticipated based on future climate scenarios) Planning and implementation