Abstract
PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to assess indigenous climate governance through climate change and variability discourse by a rural Zimbabwean community. In Zimbabwe, climate governance has largely been presented from a political angle as indicated in the current climate governance structure. Apparently, the structure does not directly involve rural communities who at the same time suffer the most from the effects of climate change. Hence, the study intends to demonstrate that the manner in which humans perceive climate change influences their responses and actions vis-à-vis climate governance.Design/methodology/approachThis qualitative study used 20 participants from a rural community in Zimbabwe. Their experiences were used as lances through which indigenous climate governance could be envisioned and executed. In-depth interviews were used to collect data and thematic content analysis was used to analyse data.FindingsThe study found that climate change perceptions and observations of weather conditions informs the community’s decisions on how to adapt to the impacts of climate change vis-à-vis indigenous knowledge systems (IKS) climate governance. The study also proposed a paradigm shift from a Western-oriented climate governance structure that currently exists in Zimbabwe to an indigenous model through a proposed IKS governance structure. This was considered significant because of the fact that it closely accommodates the community based on their lifestyle.Originality/valueThe study proposes a paradigm shift from a Western-oriented climate governance structure that currently exist in Zimbabwe to an indigenous model through a proposed IKS governance structure. This is arrived at by assessing climate change perceptions, narratives and experiences by community members. This is of particular importance because a few scholars have explored climate governance via IKS.
Highlights
Rural communities have over the years been exposed to various hash climatic conditions that impact their livelihoods and daily activities
The community’s productivity is compromised; this study points to that as a threat to good climate governance. This is due to the fact that the role of AGRITEX officers is considered integral to indigenous climate governance because they equip households with essential skills for their daily activities
Despite the fact that the participant did not suggest any way in which these issues could be dealt with, this study proposes extensive involvement of the Village Development Committee (VIDCO), Ward Development Committee (WADCO) and the Rural District Development Committee
Summary
Rural communities have over the years been exposed to various hash climatic conditions that impact their livelihoods and daily activities. Such conditions include droughts and International Journal of Climate Change Strategies and Management Vol 11 No 5, 2019 pp. From the climate change perceptions, narratives and experiences expressed by community members, this paper proposes an indigenous knowledge-based climate governance structure. The reason for this is the limitations brought about by the governance structure that currently exists in Zimbabwe. Because most developing countries have agro-based economies, they are more vulnerable to climate change impacts compared to the developed world. Proponents of this view contend that the majority of members of the community fail to engage and cope with climate change because they lack basic knowledge of its causes, impacts and adaptation methods (Lorenzoni et al, 2007)
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