The concept of adaptive capacity is an emerging field within the adaptation to climate change literature. Although the theoretical literature on adaptive capacity highlights the multi-scalar dynamics (e.g. local to global) of adaptive capacity, empirical local community adaptive capacity assessments have been largely limited to investigating it on a singular scale and thus often fail to account for the inherent multi-scalar complexities of the processes that are needed for adaptation to occur. This presentation investigates the adaptive capacity of four local villages situated in Central Kalimantan, Indonesia, which are currently experiencing more climate change variability. The case study research approach draws on an innovative analytical framework to help guide assessments. The framework identifies key elements affecting local communities and their ability to cope with and manage future climate change. The research findings highlight  the need for assessments to take a multi-scalar approach, and account for the inherent complexities associated with the processes of a system that govern a community’s ability to cope with and manage climate change in dynamic multi-scalar situations.