Dalesandro Gina.Pdf
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
A thesis submitted to the Department of Environmental Sciences and Policy of Central European University in part fulfilment of the Degree of Master of Science Developing climate-resilient sustainable livelihoods and adaptive co-development in Namibia’s Kavango East Region CEU eTD Collection Gina D’ALESANDRO June, 2017 Budapest, Hungary Erasmus Mundus Masters Course in Environmental Sciences, Policy and Management MESPOM This thesis is submitted in fulfilment of the Master of Science degree awarded as a result of successful completion of the Erasmus Mundus Masters course in Environmental Sciences, Policy and Management (MESPOM) jointly operated by the University of the Aegean (Greece), Central European University (Hungary), Lund University (Sweden) and the University of Manchester (United Kingdom). CEU eTD Collection 2 Notes on copyright and the ownership of intellectual property rights: (1) Copyright in text of this thesis rests with the Author. Copies (by any process) either in full, or of extracts, may be made only in accordance with instructions given by the Author and lodged in the Central European University Library. Details may be obtained from the Librarian. This page must form part of any such copies made. Further copies (by any process) of copies made in accordance with such instructions may not be made without the permission (in writing) of the Author. (2) The ownership of any intellectual property rights which may be described in this thesis is vested in the Central European University, subject to any prior agreement to the contrary, and may not be made available for use by third parties without the written permission of the University, which will prescribe the terms and conditions of any such agreement. (3) For bibliographic and reference purposes this thesis should be referred to as: D’Alesandro, G.N. 2017. Developing climate-resilient sustainable livelihoods and adaptive co- development in Namibia’s Kavango East Region. Master of Science thesis, Central European University, Budapest, Hungary. Further information on the conditions under which disclosures and exploitation may take place is available from the Head of the Department of Environmental Sciences and Policy, Central European University. CEU eTD Collection 3 Author’s declaration No portion of the work referred to in this thesis has been submitted in support of an application for another degree or qualification of this or any other university or other institute of learning. Gina D’ALESANDRO CEU eTD Collection 4 CENTRAL EUROPEAN UNIVERSITY ABSTRACT OF THESIS submitted by: Gina D’ALESANDRO for the degree of Master of Science and entitled: Developing climate-resilient sustainable livelihoods and adaptive co-development in Namibia’s Kavango East Region Month and Year of submission: June, 2017. To assist and implement policy creation effective for those who are most severely and significantly affected by climate change today, this study aims to explore vulnerability and adaptive capacity to climate change using a livelihoods approach and participatory vulnerability assessment at the community level. Using concepts of climate justice and fairness to justify the link between capabilities unearthed through the examination of vulnerability and adaptive capacity, this study aims to explore the issues that two livelihood groups in northeast Namibia face in the context of climate change and other stressors. Conducting a qualitative assessment with semi-structured interviews, participants were asked to analyze and articulate their own needs and vulnerabilities in their environment of stressors and community stakeholders were consulted for reinforcement of emergent themes. A new framework specific to the livelihood groups of this study was created to understand vulnerability via access and use of different forms of capital and influence from climate and other external factors to constrain or expand adaptation options. Within each livelihood, the practical application described by Smit and Wandel, was used to “investigate the adaptive capacity and adaptive needs in a particular region or community in order to identify means of implementing adaptation initiatives or enhance[e] adaptive capacity” (2009: 285). Understanding adaptive capacities and gaps that create further vulnerability loops is particularly important at the local scale where adaptation interventions can be implemented for the creation of resilience and conclusions about capability limitations can be taken to higher policy and governance levels to inform change. Keywords: vulnerability, adaptive capacity, resilience, livelihoods, climate change, natural resource management, indigenous, sustainability, resilient livelihoods, CBNRM, adaptive co- management, adaptive co-development, sustainable adaptive co-development CEU eTD Collection 5 Acknowledgements Many “thank you’s” to the generous people who made my research possible: …to my academic advisors Dr. Laszlo Pinter and Dr. Thanasis Kizos for the positivity, courage, guidance and instruction during the preparation and implementation of the research as well as its write-up. …to Mr. Gregor Kupepa for his diligent and precise translation from Mbukushu to English, Mr. Thomas for safe and ready transport in and around Divundu, and Mr. Servatius for his help with arrangements. …to Dr. Pauline Lindeque, Mr. Angus Middleton, Mr. Bruce Mead and the CRDP 2017 staff for their support and suggestions in the preparation and creation of this research project. A special thank you to Dr. Lindeque who led me to the study area and shared connections with local people to speak to. …to the people of Divundu and Bwabwata West for telling me their stories. …to Fidi for patience, mentorship, invaluable life lessons… ‘just saying’. …to my family for their support. …to all of the friends along the way. CEU eTD Collection The research to this thesis was sponsored significantly by Central European University Foundation, Budapest (CEUBPF). The theses explained herein are representing the own ideas of the author, but not necessarily reflect the opinion of CEUBPF. 6 Table of Contents 7 Thesis Statement ........................................................................................................................... 13 Study Rationale ............................................................................................................................. 15 Vulnerable Groups ........................................................................................................................ 15 Vulnerability Research.................................................................................................................. 17 Study Aims.................................................................................................................................... 20 Main Research Aim ...................................................................................................................... 20 Research Questions: ...................................................................................................................... 20 Chapter One: Building the Climate-Resilient Sustainable Livelihoods Framework ........... 22 1.1 CRSL Framework .............................................................................................................. 22 1.1.1. Understanding Climate Change-Related Stress and Variability within the CRSL Framework .................................................................................................................................23 1.1.2. Understanding Adaptive Capacity as a Measure of Vulnerability for Livelihoods within the CRSLF ......................................................................................................................24 1.1.2.1. Defining Adaptive Capacity and Adaptation ...................................................... 24 1.1.2.2. The Importance of Social Capital for Adaptive Capacity using the LAC Framework ............................................................................................................................. 26 1.1.2.3. Integrating Climate Change Adaptation with the larger Sustainable Development Paradigm within the CRSL Framework ................................................................................ 29 1.1.2.4. Underpinning the CRSL Framework with the value of Fairness ........................ 30 1.1.3. Assembling the Components of ‘Adaptive Development’: Building Resilience for Livelihoods within the CRSL Framework .................................................................................35 1.1.3.1. Adaptive Management ........................................................................................ 35 1.1.3.2. Adaptive Governance .......................................................................................... 36 Chapter Two: Introduction ........................................................................................................ 38 2.1. Applying the Framework ....................................................................................................... 38 2.1.1. Assessing Namibia’s Community-Based National Resource Management (CBNRM) Program in Kavango East ...........................................................................................................38 2.1.2. Adaptive Development and Conservation; Climate justice and Biodiversity Preservation—Can they be Compatible? ...................................................................................41 2.1.2.1. Dialogues on Conservation