Multisector exposure and vulnerability to climate change in India: Case of National Capital Territory of Delhi, India

2020 ◽  
Vol 29 (5) ◽  
pp. 761-777
Author(s):  
Mahak Agrawal
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Open Data ◽  
Temporal Analysis ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Climate Risks ◽  
Climate Resilience ◽  
Vulnerability To Climate Change ◽  
Multiplier Effect ◽  
National Capital ◽  
Four Levels

PurposeThe idea is to propagate the concept of climate resilience in India beyond international mandates and bold statements, enabled through utilization of open data. The research underscores need for climate responsive planning for megacities in India with an example of National Capital Territory of Delhi, the capital of India whose trends and policies often form a blueprint for others to follow.Design/methodology/approachThe research was conducted in six distinct, yet inter-related stages: literature review, data collection, data analysis at four levels – city, zonal, planning division and flood plains inhabited by climate vulnerable population with least adaptive capacity, formulating alternative scenarios of future development, evaluation of scenarios, conclusions and recommendations.FindingsIndia has approximately 8,000 urban centres. Less than 2% of these centres have a planning document. Less than 1% of these documents acknowledge climate change as a phenomenon let alone a challenge to urban future. It is therefore a priority to address the challenge from a planning perspective for India.Research limitations/implicationsMethodologies for evaluating the multiplier effect are still in their pre-final stage and there exist uncertainties and margin of error.Practical implicationsAligned with pre-tested methodologies, the research through extensive empirical and spatial-temporal analysis indicates severity and irreversibility of socio-economic and environmental losses.Originality/valueRisks and vulnerabilities to climate change and climate induced disasters exhibit multiplier effect that varies spatially across a region's demography. Quantitative analysis of multiplier effect on the secondary environment is rarely explored in climate studies. The paper addresses this lacuna by examining climate risks to Indian megacities with a case example of Delhi. The findings suggest that urbanization, climate risks and natural environment are interlinked, where an impact of one generates ripples across other two and their secondary environment plus sectors.

Evolutionary urban climate resilience: assessment of Seoul’s policies

2016 ◽  
Vol 8 (5) ◽  
pp. 597-612 ◽  
Author(s):  
Taedong Lee ◽  
Taehwa Lee
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Urban Climate ◽  
Climate Mitigation ◽  
Analytic Framework ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Metropolitan Government ◽  
Climate Risks ◽  
Climate Resilience ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose Ongoing climate risks require all levels of society to be resilient. Urban areas, which are densely developed with huge levels of population and infrastructure, are critical places to develop adaptation and resilience strategies. This study aims to conceptualize evolutionary urban climate resilience strategies with a step-by-step analytic framework that will be called 3R: Recognition–Readiness–Response. Design/methodology/approach This analytic framework is then applied to assess whether and to what extent the components of urban climate resilience are incorporated into the pertinent ordinances and policies of the Seoul Metropolitan Government, including climate change, urban planning and disaster management. Findings The findings of this study suggest that the climate change ordinances of Seoul have focused on climate mitigation rather than resilience. Practical implications Thus, comprehensive efforts are required to incorporate evolutionary urban climate resilience strategies into ordinances and practices. Originality/value This paper contributes to build an analytic framework that provides a step-by-step process with check-list questions based on the sub-components of urban climate resilience procedure.

Linking disaster risk reduction, climate change and development

2016 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 216-228 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Lisa F. Schipper ◽  
Frank Thomalla ◽  
Gregor Vulturius ◽  
Marion Davis ◽  
Karlee Johnson
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Risk Reduction ◽  
Disaster Risk Reduction ◽  
Political Action ◽  
Disaster Risk ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Climate Risks ◽  
Emerging Risk ◽  
Or Practice ◽  
Future Work

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to advance the dialogue between the disaster risk reduction (DRR) and adaptation community by investigating their differences, similarities and potential synergies. The paper examines how DRR and adaptation can inform development to tackle the underlying drivers of disaster risk. Design/methodology/approach Based on a risk-based approach to the management of climate variability and change, the paper draws from a critical review of the literature on DRR and adaptation. The study finds that known and emerging risk from disasters continues to increase dramatically in many parts of the world, and that climate change is a key driver behind it. The authors also find that underlying causes of social vulnerability are still not adequately addressed in policy or practice. Linking DRR and adaptation is also complicated by different purposes and perspectives, fragmented knowledge, institutions and policy and poor stakeholder coordination. Findings The author’s analysis suggests that future work in DRR and adaptation should put a much greater emphasis on reducing vulnerability to environmental hazards, if there is truly a desire to tackle the underlying drivers of disaster and climate risks. Originality/value This will require coherent political action on DRR and adaptation aimed at addressing faulty development processes that are the main causes of growing vulnerability. The study concludes with a first look on the new Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction and how it aims to connect with adaptation and development.

scholarly journals Fostering the ‘Time is Now' Mentality: The Role of Open Data In Urban Climate Resilience

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Keira Webster
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Urban Climate ◽  
Open Data ◽  
Exploratory Research ◽  
Contextual Data ◽  
Mitigation And Adaptation ◽  
Climate Resilience ◽  
The Social ◽  
Innovative Products

Climate change is a systemic issue embedded in and interconnected with the social and economic makeup of a city. Building urban climate resilience requires innovative, collaborative solutions that hinge upon the openness and availability of current and contextual data. Open data tools, in stimulating information sharing, civic engagement, and innovative products, can contribute to climate change planning, building lasting resilience. Through an exploratory research methodology, this paper explores 17 international use cases, providing a basis for the implementation of open data tools in the realm of urban climate resilience, through the following five themes: 1) risk and vulnerability assessment; 2) the inception of initiatives; 3) diverging approaches to preparedness; 4) community mobilization; and 5) mitigation and adaptation. This research aims to spark a dialogue on the intersection of open data tools in urban climate resilience strategies, demonstrating open data as an appropriate tool to cultivate shared understanding and collective action.

A gender justice approach to eliminating Sudan’s Savannah belt’s vulnerability to climate change

2016 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 539-558 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mey Eltayeb Ahmed
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Best Practice ◽  
Local Community ◽  
Forest Degradation ◽  
Climate Justice ◽  
Social Forestry ◽  
Policy Document ◽  
Ample Evidence ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Vulnerability To Climate Change

Purpose Arguing that a gendered invisibility surrounding climate justice contributes to the overall vulnerability and burden placed upon the ability of women from disadvantaged communities, the purpose of this paper is to demonstrate the importance of developing a participative gender framework for climate justice with the potential to address the policy and programme vulnerability gap within climate change and conflict in Sudan’s Savannah Belt. Design/methodology/approach In utilising gender responsive discourse analysis, along with setting out the history of gender engagement within social forestry, this paper examines both the method of Sudan’s reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation (REDD+) development and its content. Findings The paper’s findings demonstrate that the REDD+ programme in Sudan provides ample evidence of the importance of integrating climate justice and gender approaches to policy, programming and projects through ensuring women and local community participation at all levels and interaction within policy and programme development, along with its implementation. Research limitations/implications The paper is theoretical in nature but did draw upon case studies and consultations, and the author was involved in some of the research. Originality/value The paper provides a positive and arguably original example of social forestry within the Savannah Belt and its utilisation as a best practice that has fed into Sudan’s REDD+ Proposal/Policy Document so as to potentially drive and streamline similar such initiatives across Sudan.

Barriers to the implementation of climate change adaptation in land use planning

2016 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 338-355 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sirkku Juhola
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Land Use ◽  
Land Use Planning ◽  
Local Level ◽  
Adaptation Strategy ◽  
Metropolitan Region ◽  
Policy Document ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Vulnerability To Climate Change ◽  
Multiple Levels

Purpose In the past 10 years, most countries and cities have published a national adaptation strategy that outlines the strategic approach to reduce the vulnerability to climate change and to adapt to the impacts of it. The existence of an adaptation strategy does not, however, equal implementation of adaptation and the fact that adaptation is taking place across multiple levels also poses new challenges to its efficient implementation. The literature on barriers of adaptation has been increasing rapidly, questioning whether there is a misconception that barriers to implementation can be solved at the local level. Design/methodology/approach This paper analyses the implementation of adaptation strategies across multiple levels of governance by focusing on the land use planning in Finland. The case study examines the implementation of adaptation in the metropolitan region of Helsinki through a policy document analysis. Findings The conclusions highlight that there are barriers at the local level that emerge from the existing governance structures and cannot be solved by the local level alone. There needs to be a further recognition that coordination across levels of governance is a factor in overcoming barriers. Originality/value So far, there are very few studies that have analysed barriers in relation to the implementation of adaptation in a multi-level setting, and none in the land use sector, which is inherently hierarchical in nature.

scholarly journals Assessing Local Vulnerability to Climate Change by Using Livelihood Vulnerability Index: A Case Study of Dipang Watershed in Central Himalaya Region of Nepal

2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
pp. 147-163
Author(s):  
Kapil Dhungana ◽  
Harish Bahadur Chand ◽  
Dinesh Bhandari ◽  
Abhishek Kumar ◽  
Sanjay Singh ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Vulnerability Index ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Contributing Factors ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Intergovernmental Panel ◽  
High Exposure ◽  
Climate Risks ◽  
Average Temperature ◽  
Vulnerability To Climate Change

The current study uses the livelihood vulnerability index (LVI) and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change livelihood vulnerability index (IPCC-LVI) approaches to assess household’s livelihood vulnerability in the Dipang watershed located in the Central Himalayan region of Nepal. Primary data was collected through various participatory rural appraisal (PRA) tools such as direct observation, key informant interviews (KIIs), focus group discussions (FGDs) and household surveys. Similarly, data on climatic variables were collected from the nearby meteorological station over 30 years (1987-2018). The mean annual average temperature increased by 0.036°C while the average rainfall decreased by 2.30 mm. Respondents perceived a similar trend of rising temperatures, decreasing rainfall intensity, dryness in the atmosphere, and dwindling water sources. The overall LVI score (0.416) indicated that the households are vulnerable to climate change. Food (0.642) and natural disasters and climate variability (0.566) were the most vulnerable among all contributing factors. Similarly, the overall LVI-IPCC score (0.104) indicated that the households were moderately vulnerable due to high exposure (0.566), sensitivity (0.448), and low adaptive capacity (0.334). The study findings suggest an urgent need to reduce high exposure to climate risks, improved livelihood strategies, and boost agricultural productivity and health in the watershed area.

scholarly journals Fine-Tuning Climate Resilience in Marine Socio-Ecological Systems: The Need for Accurate Space-Time Representativeness to Identify Relevant Consequences and Responses

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Romeo Saldívar-Lucio ◽  
Armando Trasviña-Castro ◽  
Narriman Jiddawi ◽  
Ratana Chuenpagdee ◽  
Lars Lindström ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Social Engagement ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Local Level ◽  
Psychological Distance ◽  
Climate Impacts ◽  
Fine Tuning ◽  
Climate Risks ◽  
Climate Resilience ◽  
Perceive Risk

Climate change triggers a wide mosaic of regional and local responses, often different to the large-scale variability in magnitude and direction. Because of the psychological connections (cognitive and emotional) with the frequency, intensity and age of a climatic event, people may have the capacity to recognize key variations at lower scales, especially those from which they perceive risk. Yet, the anticipatory actions and social engagement to respond or adapt to climate change are difficult to achieve, mostly when there exists a long psychological distance to climatic phenomena. Research about climate change communication provides clues about the relevance of place-based discussion to gauge risk perception and improve response protocols, their design and prioritization. It argues that strategies and actions required to face climate risks may widely differ depending on the scale and accuracy of the local representations displayed during discussions of climate impacts. This work examines how local attributes (from climate to social) operate and control place-specific risks and priorities, by comparing coastal communities in two locations, Cabo Pulmo, Mexico and Zanzibar, Tanzania, which are subject to different climate dynamics. This paper discusses the need to identify relevant climate risks/responses at the local level and how psycho-social factors (e.g., psychological distance, collective memory, and social engagement) may operate positively for building climate resilience. We also illustrate a workflow to increase and enhance collaboration between researchers and local people by promoting dialogue, participation and narratives that rigorously consider the local knowledge.

COP21 will reach weak global climate agreement

2015 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Kyoto Protocol ◽  
Global Climate ◽  
The United States ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Climate Resilience ◽  
Legal Power ◽  
Loss And Damage ◽  
United States Mexico ◽  
Global Emissions

Subject Climate change and the Paris accord. Significance The UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), also known as the 21st Conference of the Parties (COP21) to the UN Convention on Climate Change, will take place in Paris in December. Its goal is drafting a successor to the expired Kyoto Protocol, in the form of the first universal climate agreement, which should enter into force in 2020 at the latest. In the coming months, UN parties will put forward their proposed emissions reduction targets for the Paris summit. As of May 1, only Switzerland, Russia, Gabon, the United States, Mexico, Liechtenstein, Andorra, Norway and the EU had disclosed their official intentions, representing around 17% of all parties to the negotiations and only 30% of global emissions. Impacts Unlike the Kyoto Protocol, the Paris text is likely to be an 'accord' instead of a 'treaty', meaning that its legal power will be weak. The mitigation commitments put on the table so far are insufficient to spare humanity from the consequences of climate change. Climate resilience becomes an ever-urgent goal to be advanced in Paris; adaptation costs will be high in future decades. The Paris summit will need to deliver a global insurance scheme covering loss and damage for the most vulnerable countries.

scholarly journals A risk-based approach to evaluating northeast US fish community vulnerability to climate change

2014 ◽  
Vol 71 (8) ◽  
pp. 2323-2342 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. K. Gaichas ◽  
J. S. Link ◽  
J. A. Hare
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Benthic Invertebrates ◽  
Gulf Of Maine ◽  
Regional Climate ◽  
Demersal Fish ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Climate Risks ◽  
Vulnerability To Climate Change ◽  
Climate Vulnerability ◽  
Northeast Us

Abstract Risk assessment methods are used worldwide to evaluate threats posed by fisheries and other impacts on living marine resources, and to prioritize management of these threats. We derive a simplified risk analysis for aggregate fish communities as a preliminary tool to identify priorities for further detailed assessment. Because some of the largest observed rates of sea surface temperature increase are on the northeast US continental shelf, we focused on climate change-driven risks to marine communities in this region. We evaluated climate vulnerability for six communities across two ecosystems: both commercial and non-commercial demersal fish, pelagic fish, and benthic invertebrates in the Gulf of Maine (GOM) and Mid-Atlantic bight (MAB). We first evaluated the probability that anticipated climate changes (e.g. warming water, decreased salinity, increased acidity, altered boundary currents) would occur in these regions, and rated the potential severity of change over the next 10 years. Then, we evaluated the sensitivity of each biological community in each region using 12 attributes (e.g. habitat and prey specificity, temperature and acidity sensitivity, larval dispersal, adult mobility, population productivity, etc.). Exposure to the key climate risks was related to community sensitivity in each region for an overall assessment of climate vulnerability. Climate risks from increased surface water temperature, sea level rise, and earlier spring were rated moderate to high in both regions, with additional moderate to high risks in the GOM from increased bottom temperature, stratification, and river inputs. Benthic invertebrates were rated most sensitive, with demersals intermediate and pelagics lowest. Two MAB communities were rated more sensitive than corresponding GOM communities, but greater short-term climate risks in the GOM indicated increased exposure for GOM communities. Overall, this simple analysis may help prioritize short-term regional climate risk management action, thus addressing key conditions related to fishery fluctuations beyond fishing itself.

Securing well-being with the advent of climate hazards

2016 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 175-193 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eugene Loh Chia ◽  
Anne Marie Tiani ◽  
Denis Jean Sonwa ◽  
Alba Saray Perez-Teran ◽  
Berenger Tchatchou
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Climate Variability ◽  
Forest Ecosystems ◽  
Local Level ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Vulnerability To Climate Change ◽  
The Face ◽  
Development Goals ◽  
Resource Systems

Purpose – This paper aims to examine the contribution of forests resource systems to the different aspects of community well-being, the implications of climate variability on the different sources of well-being and further identifies direct and indirect social and policy opportunities relevant for communities to enhance their capabilities in the face of climate variability and change in the Tri-National de la Sangha landscape of Cameroon. Design/methodology/approach – It illustrates on data collected from focus group discussions and from 151 households randomly selected in three villages to operationalize the conceptual links between community well-being and vulnerability. Findings – The study shows that vulnerability to climate change interferes with community strategies to achieve well-being, in addition to non-climatic processes which are both internal and external to communities. The study further indicates that healthy forest ecosystems provide opportunities for the local folks to build assets, improve food security, improve health and reduce risks. However, this requires capacity building and the channeling of resources to the local level, in addition to win–win sectoral policy amendments. Research limitations/implications – Biophysical methods required to complement community perceptions on the suitability of forest resource systems to climate variability. Practical implications – This paper argues that appropriate strategies which aim at improving well-being needs to capture the role of forest ecosystems, climate change risks and uncertainty and macroeconomic and social processes. Originality/value – This study contributes to the literature on the relationship between climate risk and the well-being of forest communities. This is relevant for practitioners and policy makers to reflect on the risk of climate change and the rationale for conserving forest resources for community well-being in the post-2015 Millennium Development Goals conclusions.

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