# An Assessment of Agent-Based Modelling Tools for Community-Based Adaptation to Climate Change
## 4 Discussion  
In a thorough examination, as detailed in Tables 6 and 7, NetLogo unequivocally emerges as the premier option for CBA modelling and simulation, comprehensively surpassing all seven predefined criteria. Envision, GAMA, Repast HPC, and UrbanSim closely follow suit, fulfilling six out of the seven evaluation criteria. This conclusion is reflected in the broader literature, where NetLogo consistently proves its mettle in facilitating nuanced simulations reflective of community dynamics amidst environmental and socio-economic shifts. The superiority of NetLogo in the realm of ABM is substantiated by academic discourse. A study by [PERSON] and [PERSON] [101] underscores the tool's robust capabilities in capturing dynamic community interactions and facilitating learning and adaptation processes, emphasising its appropriateness for modelling intricate community responses to multifaceted challenges. The simplicity of NetLogo's interface, coupled with its advanced features, aligns with the principles advocated by [PERSON] [14], who emphasises the importance of simplicity in ABM tools for broader accessibility and usability. The pivotal role of NetLogo in seamlessly integrating socio-economic variables aligns with the work of [PERSON] et al. [8], emphasising the significance of incorporating socio-economic factors into ABM for a more accurate representation of community responses. Most of the tools selected for evaluation fall short when incorporating participatory modelling. Of the selected tools, only NetLogo and GAMA have this ability. NetLogo's ability to handle diverse data types aligns with the findings of [PERSON] et al. [102], who highlight the importance of tools that can integrate various data types, including climate, geographical, and socio-economic data. Using the NL4 Py package, simulations in NetLogo can be executed via Python, addressing speed, scalability, and simplicity issues for NetLogo [103], emphasising the adaptability of ABM tools to different scales. In contrast to some tools lacking explicit features for risk assessment, sensitivity analysis, and feedback mechanisms, NetLogo's comprehensive support for these components agrees with arguments by [PERSON] et al. [104] and [PERSON] et al. [105], advocating for the incorporation of these elements for robust and credible modelling outcomes. The selected criteria for tool assessment, though comprehensive, may be open to interpretation. A crucial consideration is how adjustments of different weights, additional criteria or sub-criteria, or modified scoring systems could impact the ranking of the tools. This study focused on the evaluation of ABM for CBA projects in a general context. The \"uniform weighting\" approach was applied to all criteria related to CBA; however, it is acknowledged that specific project requirements may warrant different approaches, with certain criteria gaining greater relevance over others. While the strengths of NetLogo and its ideal suitability to CBA are clear and substantial, it cannot be ruled out that alternative ABM tools might prove fitting in specific cases too. To date, there is no universally defined and standardised set of criteria for CBA approaches across different settings. Various guidelines, frameworks, and principles have been published by international organisations, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), and research institutions to guide CBA efforts. This study focused solely on common themes and criteria that play key roles in CBA initiatives. Criteria for CBA vary based on the specific context, the nature of the climate-related challenges faced by a community, and the goals of the adaptation efforts. Organisations involved in climate change adaptation often tailor their criteria to the unique characteristics of the communities they are assisting. This tailoring may lead to a particular ABM tool being suitable for a specific case. Additionally, there are instances where new ABM tools are developed or where existing ones are modified to create models fully customised for specific agendas and set-ups.