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Why is socially‐just climate change adaptation in sub‐Saharan Africa so challenging? A review of barriers identified from empirical cases

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  • Sheona Shackleton
  • Gina Ziervogel
  • Susannah Sallu
  • Thomas Gill
  • Petra Tschakert

Abstract

To enhance understanding of the process of climate change adaptation and to facilitate the planning and implementation of socially‐just adaptation strategies, deeper consideration of the factors that impede adaptation is required. In response, scholars have increasingly identified barriers to adaptation in the literature. But, despite this progress, knowledge of barriers that hamper adaptation in developing countries remains limited, especially in relation to underlying causes of vulnerability and low adaptive capacity. To further improve understanding of barriers to adaptation and identify gaps in the state‐of‐the‐art knowledge, we undertook a synthesis of empirical literature from sub‐Saharan Africa focusing on vulnerable, natural resource‐dependent communities and livelihoods. Our review illustrates that: (1) local‐level studies that reveal barriers to adaptation are diverse, although there is a propensity for studies on small‐holder farmers; (2) many of the studies identify several barriers to adaptation, but appreciation of their interactions and compounded impacts remains scarce; and (3) most of the barriers uncovered relate broadly to biophysical, knowledge, and financial constraints on agricultural production and rural development. More hidden and under‐acknowledged political, social, and psychological barriers are rarely mentioned, unless captured in studies that specifically set out to investigate these. We finish our review by highlighting gaps in understanding and by suggesting future research directions, focusing on issues of social justice. We argue that research on barriers needs to start asking why these barriers emerge, how they work together to shape adaptation processes, who they affect most, and what is needed to overcome them. WIREs Clim Change 2015, 6:321–344. doi: 10.1002/wcc.335 This article is categorized under: Vulnerability and Adaptation to Climate Change > Learning from Cases and Analogies

Suggested Citation

  • Sheona Shackleton & Gina Ziervogel & Susannah Sallu & Thomas Gill & Petra Tschakert, 2015. "Why is socially‐just climate change adaptation in sub‐Saharan Africa so challenging? A review of barriers identified from empirical cases," Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews: Climate Change, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 6(3), pages 321-344, May.
  • Handle: RePEc:wly:wirecc:v:6:y:2015:i:3:p:321-344
    DOI: 10.1002/wcc.335
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    1. Schürmann, Alina & Kleemann, Janina & Fürst, Christine & Teucher, Mike, 2020. "Assessing the relationship between land tenure issues and land cover changes around the Arabuko Sokoke Forest in Kenya," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 95(C).
    2. Koide, Junji & Yokoyama, Shigeki & Hirouchi, Shinji & Hirose, Chikako & Oka, Naoko & Oda, Masato & Yanagihara, Seiji, 2021. "Exploring climate-resilient and risk-efficient cropping strategies using a new pond irrigation system: An experimental study in northern Ghana," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 191(C).
    3. Makame Omar Makame & Sheona E Shackleton & Walter Leal Filho, 2023. "Coping with and adapting to climate and non-climate stressors within the small-scale farming, fishing and seaweed growing sectors, Zanzibar," Natural Hazards: Journal of the International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, Springer;International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, vol. 116(3), pages 3377-3399, April.
    4. Schipper, E.L.F. & Tanner, T. & Dube, O.P. & Adams, K.M. & Huq, S., 2020. "The debate: Is global development adapting to climate change?," World Development Perspectives, Elsevier, vol. 18(C).
    5. Clements, Hayley S. & De Vos, Alta & Bezerra, Joana Carlos & Coetzer, Kaera & Maciejewski, Kristine & Mograbi, Penelope J. & Shackleton, Charlie, 2021. "The relevance of ecosystem services to land reform policies: Insights from South Africa," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 100(C).
    6. Akter, Sonia, 2024. "Climate Resilient Development for Agriculture and Pathways for Gender Inclusivity," IAAE 2024 Conference, August 2-7, 2024, New Delhi, India 344227, International Association of Agricultural Economists (IAAE).
    7. Jew, Eleanor K.K. & Whitfield, Stephen & Dougill, Andrew J. & Mkwambisi, David D. & Steward, Peter, 2020. "Farming systems and Conservation Agriculture: Technology, structures and agency in Malawi," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 95(C).
    8. Sanga, Udita & Sidibé, Amadou & Olabisi, Laura Schmitt, 2021. "Dynamic pathways of barriers and opportunities for food security and climate adaptation in Southern Mali," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 148(C).
    9. Nthambi, Mary & Markova-Nenova, Nonka & Wätzold, Frank, 2021. "Quantifying Loss of Benefits from Poor Governance of Climate Change Adaptation Projects: A Discrete Choice Experiment with Farmers in Kenya," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 179(C).

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