Climate Risks, Adaptation and Vulnerability in Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia

Abstract

Climate risk is increasingly affecting the livelihood of the majority of the population in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) and South Asia (SA), making the majority of people vulnerable to it. Therefore, enhancing adaptation to climate change is inevitable to reduce the vulnerability of people in these regions. This chapter investigated the major climate risks faced by the farm households and also examined the factors affecting the adoption of climate adaptation measures by them, using primary data from SSA (Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania, Malawi, and Mozambique) and SA (Bangladesh, India, Nepal). Additionally, we reviewed the level of climate risks and the factors that affect the capability of these countries to climate adaptation at the macro level. We found variation in the climate risks experienced by the farmers. One of the most common climate risks faced by the farmers was drought except in Bangladesh. The econometric model shows that economic status, membership in farm organization, and training are the important factors influencing the adoption of climate adaptation. Our review of macro-level indicators reveals that though the countries under study experience different levels of exposure to climate risks, they are highly vulnerable to climate risks because they all have a low adaptive capacity due to the prevalence of high levels of poverty and corruption in the public institutions. Hence, to enhance climate adaptation, the government and other relevant stakeholders should focus on improving the farmers’ resilience capacity by investing in improving the economic status, enhancing the network and knowledge through training, and building better and cleaner institutions.