Climate resilience in the fisheries social–ecological system: Capturing opportunities from emerging species in the Gulf of Maine

The Tiaki Moana Summit will be held from March 24-27, 2025, in Tahiti and Mo’orea, French Polynesia, bringing together 200 participants, including 60 Young Pacific Leaders from 24 Pacific island nations, to advance ocean stewardship. Supported by the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the U.S. State Department, IUCN Oceania, the Tahiti Government, and the Pew Bertarelli Foundation, the event will serve as a critical precursor to the 3rd United Nations Conference on the Ocean in June 2025 in Nice. It will focus on bottom-up, community-led management, integrating Indigenous knowledge with Western science to design and implement coastal and pelagic Other Effective Conservation Measures (OECMs).The Summit aims to amplify Indigenous and youth voices in the development and application of OECMs for biodiversity conservation and climate resilience. It will address six core themes:OECMs and Indigenous Rights: Integrating Traditional Knowledge and Governance – Examining how Indigenous governance systems and knowledge complement contemporary conservation strategies, ensuring Indigenous rights are central to OECM efforts. OECMs as Tools for Biodiversity and Climate Resilience – Exploring OECMs’ potential to safeguard marine biodiversity and build climate resilience. Policy, Financing, and Monitoring OECMs for Long-term Impact – Discussing policy, financial frameworks, and monitoring systems for sustaining OECMs. Science, Data, and Technology for OECM Identification and Management – Exploring the integration of Indigenous knowledge with scientific methods for effective OECM management. Cross-Sectoral Collaboration for Integrating OECMs into Broader Land and Seascape Management – Fostering collaboration between marine and land management sectors for enhanced OECM effectiveness. Engaging Stakeholders: Public Awareness, Capacity Building, and Community Involvement – Developing strategies for increasing public awareness, building local capacity, and ensuring community participation in OECM governance. Outputs will include a documentary, a policy briefing, a practical guide and a roadmap for OECM development across the region. As species migrate, high seas protection will be essential to reach Global Biodiversity Framework targets, and so the event will likely emphasize the need for ratifying the BBNJ (Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction) agreement as well as legal personhood e.g. for whales. By bringing together Indigenous leaders and youth from across the Pacific and beyond, the summit will foster a more inclusive, bottom-up and effective global marine conservation framework. Its outcomes will offer critical recommendations for integrating local communities and Indigenous knowledge into OECM strategies, promoting bottom-up governance for resilient ocean policies.The Tiaki Moana Summit will also play a key role in enhancing climate resilience and ensuring the sustainable management of Pacific marine ecosystems through customary fisheries and the weaving of multiple knowledge systems, Western sciences and local Indigenous knowledge. It is expected that after the event, its outcomes will inspire and encourage action, ensuring the Pacific’s marine environments are preserved for future generations. As momentum builds, it will contribute to better policies reflecting the realities of the field while amplifying Young Pacific Leaders’ voices. We hope our Tiaki Moana insights will inform discussions and outputs of the One Ocean Science Congress, for a unified approach to ocean sustainability.

This paper aims to improve our understanding of the nature, causes, and multiple dimensions of how social assistance may address climate vulnerability and resilience within fragile and conflict-affected settings (FCAS), as part of the inception phase of the Better Assistance in Crises (BASIC) Research programme. Over recent years, social assistance, such as cash transfers and voucher programmes, has been seen as a way of reducing the impacts of climate-related shocks and stressors, and of increasing the resilience of recipient households and communities. It has also been seen as a mechanism for delivering adaptation funding, showing promise in tackling short-term shocks as well as longer-term adaptation to climate change. Yet despite FCAS hosting some of the most vulnerable populations in the world, so far there has been little attention to these settings. We examine the linkages between social assistance and climate resilience in FCAS and in turn, implications for BASIC Research. Specifically, we ask what the evidence is on whether existing approaches to social assistance are appropriate to reducing climate vulnerabilities and building climate resilience in FCAS, and, if not, how they might be reformed. We address this through three sub-questions. First, what are the major conceptual discussions on climate resilience and social assistance, and what is the extent of work in FCAS? This is addressed in section 2.1, based on an extensive literature review. Second, to what extent does the literature on social assistance and climate resilience apply to the particular concerns of FCAS? This is covered in section 2.2, based on a framework informed by work in political economy and political ecology. Third, what are possible future research directions? We conclude with reflections on what BASIC Research may contribute in section 3.

Building climate resilience is vital owing to the potentially severe effect of climate change. However, there is limited empirical evidence on the contribution of financial inclusion to climate resilience using household-level data. This paper adds to the literature by examining the potential role of financial inclusion in building farm households’ climate resilience. The study uses semi-structured interviews and structured questionnaires to collect relevant data from the Sidama region in southern Ethiopia. Principal component analysis is used to estimate a climate resilience index, and multiple linear regression is used to show the effect of financial inclusion on climate resilience. The results show that financial inclusion significantly and positively affects households’ climate resilience by increasing their asset ownership and diversification of income. Ownership of bank and microfinance institution accounts, mobile money services, and access to credit are the major financial services that contribute to climate resilience. However, there are certain factors limiting farm households’ level of financial inclusion. Thus, if the full potential of financial inclusion in building climate resilience is to be achieved, different strategies should be devised to increase its level and outreach.

Purpose This article aims to examine a community initiative in Tamil Nadu, India, which uses heirloom seeds to promote climate resilience. The authors, involved in the initiative as action researchers, aim to illustrate how their experiences can be integrated into the curriculum and practice of “Adaptive Innovation”, a model rooted in action research and reflective practice. The article highlights the importance of participatory action research (PAR) in bridging the gap between theory and practice, challenging traditional hierarchies between universities and communities. The authors argue that PAR allows for a more inclusive and equitable approach to knowledge production and climate action, giving a voice to marginalised communities and fostering social and environmental regeneration. Design/methodology/approach This article explores a community-based initiative developed in Tamil Nadu, India that promotes climate resilience through the use of heirloom seeds. The initiative was developed in collaboration with graduate students and the faculty of the Centre for Livelihoods and Social Innovation at Tata Institute of Social Sciences in Mumbai, India in the Hooga Seed Keepers’ Collective (social enterprise run by alumni) as part of an international network of universities. The initiative uses PAR principles to revert traditional hierarchies between universities and communities, positioning community members as researchers and agents of transformation processes. The article further explores how the action research team encountered diverse knowledge systems and livelihood practices, highlighting essential learning instances across university-community divides, divides of power and privilege within communities, generational divides and the human and non-human worlds. Ultimately, the paper reflects on how these experiences are translated into the curriculum, pedagogy, research and practice of Adaptive Innovation, a model rooted in action research and reflective practice. Findings The findings of this article are that PAR can bridge the traditional divides between universities and marginalised communities, leading to more equitable and effective climate action. They found that using a posthumanist lens in their PAR methodology helped to reveal the interconnectedness of human and non-human actors, like heirloom seeds, in building climate resilience. They also argue that the sharing of knowledge between academics and community members through PAR can lead to the co-creation of practical climate adaptation strategies, such as seed saving and promoting traditional ecological knowledge. Research limitations/implications Their work suggests that embracing PAR can lead to more inclusive and equitable climate action. They have seen firsthand how this approach helps bridge the divide between universities and marginalised communities by positioning communities as active knowledge producers. By working directly with community members, they can ensure that climate action programmes are grounded in their lived experiences and expertise, leading to more relevant and sustainable interventions. Integrating PAR into higher education curricula is crucial for equipping students with the skills and experience to address complex social and environmental issues. Practical implications Their research with the Hooga Seed Keepers’ Collective reveals that embracing and promoting indigenous and local knowledge, such as seed saving and sharing, can lead to more resilient and sustainable agricultural practices in the face of climate change. Supporting and empowering marginalised communities, particularly women and landless labourers who are disproportionately affected by climate change, is crucial for equitable climate action. This can be achieved by promoting fair wages, ensuring access to resources like water and creating opportunities for them to participate in decision-making processes. By acknowledging and respecting the agency of both human and non-human actors, like heirloom seeds, they can foster a more balanced and reciprocal relationship with the natural world, contributing to a more sustainable future. Social implications They believe that tackling social inequalities, particularly those related to caste and gender, is crucial for achieving meaningful and lasting climate action. Their research has revealed that marginalised groups, such as women and landless labourers, are disproportionately affected by climate change due to existing power imbalances and discriminatory practices. Addressing these social injustices should be central to any climate action programme, ensuring that the voices and needs of the most vulnerable are heard and addressed. By working to dismantle these systemic barriers, they can create a more just and equitable society that is better equipped to face the challenges of a changing climate. Originality/value This article showcases how integrating a posthumanist perspective into PAR can challenge traditional hierarchies in knowledge production and create more equitable and effective climate action with marginalised communities. Drawing on their experiences with the Hooga Seed Keepers’ Collective in Tamil Nadu, India, they illustrate how PAR, combined with posthumanist methodologies, can reveal the interconnectedness of human and non-human actors, such as heirloom seeds, in building climate resilience. By examining this collaborative project, the article provides one of the way forward for universities to bridge the theory-practice divide, emphasising the importance of indigenous and local knowledge in addressing the complex challenges of climate change.

The ecosystem approach—as endorsed by the Convention on Biological Diversity (CDB) in 2000—is a strategy for holistic, sustainable, and equitable natural resource management, to be implemented via the 12 Malawi Principles. These principles describe the need to manage nature in terms of dynamic ecosystems, while fully engaging with local peoples. It is an ambitious concept. Today, the term is common throughout the research and policy literature on environmental management. However, multiple meanings have been attached to the term, resulting in confusion. We reviewed references to the ecosystem approach from 1957 to 2012 and identified 3 primary uses: as an alternative to ecosystem management or ecosystem-based management; in reference to an integrated and equitable approach to resource management as per the CBD; and as a term signifying a focus on understanding and valuing ecosystem services. Although uses of this term and its variants may overlap in meaning, typically, they do not entirely reflect the ethos of the ecosystem approach as defined by the CBD. For example, there is presently an increasing emphasis on ecosystem services, but focusing on these alone does not promote decentralization of management or use of all forms of knowledge, both of which are integral to the CBD’s concept. We highlight that the Malawi Principles are at risk of being forgotten. To better understand these principles, more effort to implement them is required. Such efforts should be evaluated, ideally with comparative approaches, before allowing the CBD’s concept of holistic and socially engaged management to be abandoned or superseded. It is possible that attempts to implement all 12 principles together will face many challenges, but they may also offer a unique way to promote holistic and equitable governance of natural resources. Therefore, we believe that the CBD’s concept of the ecosystem approach demands more attention.La Necesidad de Desenredar Conceptos Clave del Argot Ambiente-EstrategiaResumenLa estrategia ambiental – como es promocionada por la Convención Biológica sobre Diversidad en 2000 – es una estrategia para un manejo holístico, sustentable y equitativo de recursos naturales, que habrá de implementarse por vía de los 12 Principios de Malawi. Estos principios describen la necesidad de manejar la naturaleza en términos de ecosistemas dinámicos, mientras se compromete totalmente con las personas locales. Es un concepto ambicioso. Hoy en día, el término es común en la investigación y la literatura de políticas sobre el manejo ambiente. Sin embargo, se han relacionado múltiples significados con el término, lo que resulta en confusión. Revisamos referencias a la estrategia ambiental de 1957 a 2012 e identificamos tres usos principales: como una alternativa para manejo ambiental o basado en ecosistemas; en referencia a una estrategia integrada y equitativa para el manejo de recursos según la CBD; y como un término que indica un enfoque en el entendimiento y la valuación de los servicios ambientales. Aunque los usos de este término y sus variantes pueden traslaparse en su significado, típicamente no reflejan en su totalidad los valores de la estrategia ambiental como fue definida por la CBD. Por ejemplo, actualmente hay un énfasis creciente en los servicios ambientales, pero enfocarse solamente en estos no promueve la descentralización del manejo o el uso de todas las formas de conocimiento, siendo ambas integrales para el concepto de la CBD. Resaltamos que los Principios de Malawi están en riesgo de ser olvidados. Para entender mejor estos principios, se requiere de más esfuerzo para implementarlos. Dichos esfuerzos deben ser evaluados, idóneamente con estrategias comparativas, antes de permitir que el concepto de la CBD de manejo holístico y comprometido socialmente sea abandonado o reemplazado. Es posible que los intentos por implementar los 12 principios juntos enfrentarán muchos obstáculos, pero también pueden ofrecer una forma única de promover el gobierno holístico y equitativo de los recursos naturales. Así, creemos que el concepto de estrategia ambiental de la CBD exige mayor atención.

Climate change is a global challenge that requires rapid and adaptive responses from various levels of government, including local governments. In Indonesia, the role of local governments in building climate resilience is increasingly crucial as the impacts of climate change are felt in various regions. However, bureaucratic barriers, resource constraints, and socio-economic dynamics often hinder the effectiveness of climate resilience strategies at the local level. This study aims to explore the role of local governments in building climate resilience through local policies, technological innovation, and community participation. This study was conducted using a qualitative approach, where data was collected from various sources such as research results and relevant previous studies. The collected data were then processed systematically to find findings that support the development of climate resilience strategies. The results of the study show that local governments have an important role in developing policies that are appropriate to local conditions to deal with climate change. Technological innovation and the development of disaster-resistant infrastructure are key to increasing climate resilience at the local level. Active community participation and community empowerment have also proven to be important factors in implementing effective climate resilience strategies. Bureaucratic barriers and resource constraints can be overcome through cross-regional collaboration that allows for the sharing of knowledge and best practices. Thus, climate resilience strategies at the local level must be based on synergy between government, communities, and the private sector to achieve sustainable and effective results.

As development financiers strive to implement climate adaptation measures that are effective and consistent with countries climate-resilient development pathways in line with the Paris Agreement, there is an urgent and increasing need to reduce vulnerability to climate variability and climate change, ensure that development operations are climate-resilient, particularly promote development operations that build climate resilience, and to monitor and evaluate the success of these measures. Given this need, the objective of this document is to provide a general conceptual framework to guide IDB project teams from different sectors in how to identify climate resilience opportunities and define indicators at the project level that will facilitate the monitoring and assessment of climate resilience results. With the conceptual framework presented in this document, the IDB aims to (1) lay the conceptual foundations to seize climate resilience opportunities in development projects by presenting definitions and examples for climate resilience elements and capacities as a basis for a conceptual climate resilience metrics framework and (2) guide sectorial specialists in identifying output and outcome indicators to monitor climate resilience results at the project level and to later evaluate the effectiveness of implemented adaptation and climate resilience activities.

Potential contributions of market-systems development initiatives for building climate resilience

Ethiopia has become warmer over the past century and human induced climate change will bring further warming over the next century at unprecedented rates. On the average, climate models show a tendency for higher mean annual rainfall and for wetter conditions, in particular during October, November and December, but there is much uncertainty about the future amount, distribution, timing and intensity of rainfall. Ethiopia’s low level of economic development, combined with its heavy dependence on agriculture and high population growth rate make the country particularly susceptible to the adverse effects of climate change. Nearly 90% of Ethiopia’s population lives in the Highlands, which include the critical Blue Nile (Abay) Highlands—a region that holds special importance due to its role in domestic agricultural production and international water resources. A five year study of climate vulnerability and adaptation strategies in communities of Choke Mountain, located in the center of the Abay Highlands, has informed a proposed framework for enhancing climate resilience in communities across the region. The framework is motivated by the critical need to enhance capacity to cope with climate change and, subsequently, to advance a carbon neutral and climate resilient economy in Ethiopia. The implicit hypothesis in applying a research framework for this effort is that science-based information, generated through improved understanding of impacts and vulnerabilities of local communities, can contribute to enhanced resilience strategies. We view adaptation to climate change in a wider context of changes, including, among others, market conditions, the political-institutional framework, and population dynamics. From a livelihood perspective, culture, historical settings, the diversity of income generation strategies, knowledge, and education are important factors that contribute to adaptive capacities. This paper reviews key findings of the Choke Mountain study, describes the principles of the climate resilience framework, and proposes an implementation strategy for climate resilient development to be applied in the Abay Highlands, with potential expansion to agricultural communities across the region and beyond.

Building climate-resilient food systems in sri lanka through site-specific agricultural management

Cities have become active players in international environmental law and governance, especially in tackling climate change. Indeed, cities are in a key role as regards societies' climate resilience and increasingly seek cooperation with each other on this issue globally. Transnational law and governance initiatives provide platforms for partnerships, capacity-building and exchange of best practices in policymaking and implementation. In India, cities are already struggling with the effects of climate change. Despite efforts to mainstream climate change mitigation and adaptation within the federal governance system, the existing national regulatory system does not effectively address climate change, and cities are trying to come to terms with the challenge and to build resilience on their own. Within this context, could transnational environmental law initiatives assist Indian cities in building climate resilience? This chapter seeks to analyse the current and potential future role of such initiatives in strengthening cities' policymaking in relation to climate resilience, with a special reference to the Indian context.

This research investigates and promotes climate resilience in Nigeria’s vulnerable communities, which are disproportionately affected by climate change. How climate change worsens existing problems such as food insecurity, poverty, and conflict in Nigeria serve as the rationale to this study. Hence, defining climate resilience, reviewing relevant literature, and conducting a case study to generate evidence-based recommendations give insight into the objectives of this study. Therefore, reviewed literature shows the diverse impacts of climate change on disadvantaged groups, such as small-scale farmers and urban coastal dwellers. Vulnerability assessments highlight the need for adaptive capacity, integrating local knowledge in solutions. Case studies illustrate vulnerabilities in poor urban coastal areas, rural regions, and the Niger Delta. Differential impacts are examined, such as the gendered effects of climate change on women and the challenges faced by indigenous communities and urban slums. Adaptive capacity is discussed, stressing social capital, collective action, and the interrelation of adaptation, adaptive capacity, and vulnerability. Adaptive capacity assessment in Nigeria indicates difficulties in rural farming households and urban coastal communities, requiring enhanced capacities. Indigenous knowledge plays a vital role in adaptive measures, fostering resilience. Resilience enhancement strategies emphasize social justice, inclusive governance, and community-based adaptation, acknowledging the significance of local empowerment and participation. Technology and innovation provide possibilities but need context-specific methods. These strategies can help build climate resilience in Nigeria’s vulnerable communities, offering a basis for policymakers, practitioners, and stakeholders to tackle the complex challenges of climate change.

Nasal coast is one of the areas with a fishing sector that includes lobster fishing and falls under the Indonesian Fisheries Management Area 572 (IFMA 572). However, little information on lobster fishery system in this area. This research aims to map the social-ecological system (SES) for the pronghorn spiny lobster (Panulirus penicillatus) in Nasal District, Kaur Regency, Bengkulu. This study conducted from November 2022 to February 2023 using a social-ecological system (SES) approach. The study refers that there are 34 nodes and 55 edges in the lobster fisheries connectivity parameter. The main elements in the lobster fisheries network are fishermen, fishing activity, weather, cost, fishing season, water quality, lobster, catch per unit effort, macro collectors, revenue, and catch. Those components are important in the dynamics of the SES lobster fisheries network (Panulirus spp.) in the coastal waters of Nasal District.

In July 2021, the Rhine-Meuse region straddling Belgium, Germany and the Netherlands was affected by devastating floods that have led to the loss of more than 240 lives and damage worth billions of Euros. The event was closely watched by regional agencies that had to organize response and recovery, and also received noticeable global attention. Diverse sets of responses and reflections accumulated among researchers, local and regional governments, local and international media, development organizations, public offices and citizen groups, wherein links to climate change and gaps in our preparedness for unexpected, extreme events were a common element of the discourse. In response to the floods, and in recognition of the cross-border effects of climate change, the United Nations University institutes in Belgium (UNU-CRIS), Germany (UNU-EHS) and the Netherlands (UNU-MERIT) have launched the “UNU Climate Resilience Initiative” with the aim to share knowledge, shape policy and drive action – and ultimately shift the focus from risk to proactive adaptation, innovation and transformation. Within the context of this initiative, researchers from the three institutes have conducted research in the flood affected areas and organized the two-day “Flood Knowledge Summit 2022: From Risks to Resilience”, which took place from 7 to 8 July 2022 in Maastricht, the Netherlands. Complementing existing national initiatives and efforts in the three countries, the event aimed to connect different actors – including affected citizens, first responders, authorities, researchers and civil society – from the region, the European Union (EU) and the Global South to share experiences, engage in dialogue and facilitate learning regarding how to strengthen climate resilience for all. This summit served to map various efforts to understand the data, information, governance and knowledge gaps at national, subnational and regional levels in order to address growing risks of climate change, including how to adapt to not only climate-induced extreme events like floods but also other hazard events, and created a regional momentum to support multidimensional efforts towards building resilience. Drawing on our research and outcomes of the Flood Knowledge Summit 2022, the UNU Climate Resilience Initiative has identified five key areas in which further research and action is needed to tackle climate risks and facilitate pathways towards climate resilience.

The evolving global climate poses challenges to agricultural systems, necessitating resilience enhancement against environmental variability. This study explored the intersection of climate dynamics and agricultural practices within food systems, impacting food security and livelihoods. In Bungoma County, Kenya, agricultural productivity faces climate change threats, necessitating effective adaptation strategies for long-term food security. The study's objectives include investigating climate variability impacts, evaluating adaptation strategies, and assessing socio-economic implications of climate-resilient practices for long-term food security in the region. The study utilized a mixed-method design, combining quantitative and qualitative approaches, with a sample size of 396 using stratified and random sampling to gather data from targeted One Acre Fund Tupande farmers in nine sub-counties in Bungoma County. Both survey questionnaire and interviews were employed as data collection tools and triangulation, ethical considerations, and statistical analysis were key in understanding climate resilience and enhancing agricultural productivity. Descriptive and inferential statistics were applied to analyse data. Findings indicate that most sampled farmers reported significant impacts of changes in weather patterns and climate variability on agricultural productivity. Farmers perceive traditional farming practices and modern technologies as effective in mitigating the effects of climate change on agricultural yields. However, the feasibility of adopting agroforestry practices and investing in infrastructure for climate resilience is slightly lower. Additionally, farmers view climate-resilient agricultural practices as economically viable and beneficial for improving household income and livelihoods. They expressed confidence in the effectiveness of government policies and the long-term sustainability of these practices for ensuring food security. The findings highlight the impact of climate variability on agricultural productivity and farmers value traditional and modern practices for climate resilience but find agroforestry and infrastructure investment less feasible. Government policies are trusted for ensuring food security through sustainable agricultural practices and tailored interventions are recommended. These results offer insights that can guide the development of tailored interventions to enhance climate resilience and agricultural productivity among farmers in Bungoma County. Key words: Adaptation Strategies, Agricultural Productivity, Climate Variability, Farmers, Socio-economic Implications