What drives the vulnerability of rural communities to climate variability? Consensus and diverging views in the Congo Basin

Pavageau Charlotte, Locatelli Bruno, Sonwa Denis Jean, Tiani Anne Marie. 2018. What drives the vulnerability of rural communities to climate variability? Consensus and diverging views in the Congo Basin. Climate and Development, 10 (1) : 49-60.

https://doi.org/10.1080/17565529.2016.1193460

Article de revue ; Article de recherche ; Article de revue à facteur d'impact

	Version publiée - Anglais Accès réservé aux personnels Cirad Utilisation soumise à autorisation de l'auteur ou du Cirad. What drives the vulnerability of rural.pdf Télécharger (954kB) \| Demander une copie
	Version Online first - Anglais Accès réservé aux personnels Cirad Utilisation soumise à autorisation de l'auteur ou du Cirad. Pavageau 2016 What drives the vulnerability of rural communities to climate variability Congo Basin.pdf Télécharger (889kB) \| Demander une copie

Quartile : Q1, Sujet : Development Studies / Quartile : Q2, Sujet : ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES

Résumé : The vulnerability of rural communities to climate variability and change in developing countries is widely recognized. However, the question of what factors drive their vulnerability remains subject to different interpretations. This study explored the perceptions of local key informants on the factors influencing the vulnerability of forest communities to droughts and excessive rains in five contrasting socio-ecological zones of the Congo Basin forest. Results from the local level were discussed by national stakeholders. The analysis showed that people agreed on the positive effect of most community assets (physical, natural, human, social and financial) on vulnerability reduction. Diverging views arose with regard to the effects of population density and institutions on vulnerability, as well as to whether the dependence of communities on forest products increased vulnerability. The perceptions of local respondents depended on local contexts and the roles of the respondents in communities. The divergent interpretations revealed in this study underline the challenges faced by adaptation policy-makers and project developers in reconciling the opposing views of multiple stakeholders. National adaptation plans should identify broad priorities that must be converted into specific adaptation plans at the local level.

Mots-clés Agrovoc : changement climatique, communauté rurale, forêt tropicale, adaptation aux changements climatiques, produit forestier, services écosystémiques, impact sur l'environnement, réduction des émissions, gouvernance, planification, écosystème forestier, moyens d'existence durables