Adaptation to Climate Change in the Hindu Kush Himalaya: Stronger Action Urgently Needed

Mishra, Arabinda; Appadurai, Arivudai Nambi; Choudhury, Dhrupad; Regmi, Bimal Raj; Kelkar, Ulka; Alam, Md. Kawsar; Chaudhary, Pashupati; Mu, Seinn Seinn; Ahmed, Ahsan Uddin; Lotia, Hina; Fu, Chao; Namgyel, Thinley; Sharma, Upasna

doi:10.1007/978-3-319-92288-1_13

Cited by 56 publications

(39 citation statements)

References 69 publications

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“…Autonomous adaptations are less formal in their development and implementation and are widely observed in many rural and Indigenous communities at the frontlines of climate change (Ford et al 2014;McDowell et al 2019). They can be appropriate in areas where local resilience is high and knowledge of socio-ecological dynamics is well developed (Ford et al 2020;Mishra et al 2019;Thornton and Manasfi 2010); however, they can also signify situations where relations with formal planning entities are limited or strained (McDowell et al 2014). Planned adaptations are the primary focus of international climate policy (Khan and Roberts 2013); they represent more structured approaches to adaptation and include initiatives such as those supported by the UNFCCC-related adaptation support examined in this article.…”

Section: Theoretical Foundationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

From needs to actions: prospects for planned adaptations in high mountain communities

et al. 2020

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Adaptation needs in high mountain communities are increasingly well documented, yet most efforts to address these needs continue to befall mountain people who have contributed little to the problem of climate change. This situation represents a contravention of accepted norms of climate justice and calls attention to the need for better understanding of prospects for externally resourced adaptation initiatives in high mountain areas. In response, this paper examines the architecture of formal adaptation support mechanisms organized through the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and how such mechanisms might help to meet adaptation needs in high mountain communities. It outlines key global adaptation initiatives organized through the UNFCCC, clarifies idealized linkages between these global adaptation initiatives and meeting local adaptation needs, and evaluates actual progress in connecting such support with discrete adaptation needs in the upper Manaslu region of Nepal. The paper then critically examines observed shortcomings in matching adaptation support organized through the UNFCCC with local adaptation needs, including complications stemming from the bureaucratic nature of formal adaptation support mechanisms, the intervening role of the state in delivering aid, and the ways in which these complexities intersect with the specific socio-cultural contexts of mountain communities. It concludes by highlighting several prospects for increasing the quantity and quality of adaptation support to mountain communities. These opportunities are considered alongside several salient concerns about formal adaptation support mechanisms in an effort to provide a well-rounded assessment of the prospects for planned adaptations in high mountain communities.

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Section: Theoretical Foundationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

From needs to actions: prospects for planned adaptations in high mountain communities

et al. 2020

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“…Knowledge, technology and financial resources influence the capacity to develop adaptation plans and implement them effectively (IPCC, 2014). Generating science-based knowledge, documenting local knowledge and sharing this knowledge are, therefore, critically important when designing and undertaking informed and planned adaptation responses (Mishra et al, 2019;Vaidya et al, 2019).…”

Section: Understanding Adaptation To Cryospheric Change: a Conceptualmentioning

confidence: 99%

Adaptation to mountain cryosphere change: issues and challenges

Rasul

Pasakhala

Mishra

et al. 2019

Climate and Development

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The cryosphere provides multiple services to society, but mountain cryosphere is shrinking at an alarming rate worldwide due to climate change, threatening natural and human systems. Adaptation to cryosphere change is essential to avoid irreversible damage and to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. Although documenting adaptation actions and challenges is vital for preparing and implementing adaptation strategies, efforts to document and understand current adaptation practices specifically in response to cryosphere change have been limited. This paper synthesizes adaptation actions currently practiced in the mountain ranges of the Andes, Alps, Pamir, Tien Shan and Himalaya in response to cryosphere change, discusses common constraints and suggests actions for creating an enabling environment for adaptation. It identifies various adaptation measures adopted by different actors. These range from changing current practices and behaviour at household level to collaborative monitoring at regional level. However, most adaptation measures are autonomous, narrowly focused and short term, without adequate planning and government support. The physical challenges of mountain terrain, low adaptive capacities, limited knowledge and high uncertainty about future risks constrain widespread adoption of adaptation measures. Further research is needed to better understand factors influencing adaptation actions, and the policy options and responses that can overcome existing barriers.

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“…Smallholder livelihoods in MMA are characterised by challenges in accessing, mobilising and utilising limited resources (Mishra et al 2019). Mountain landscapes typically comprise relatively young, fragile and growing formations of soft rock with numerous fault lines, fractures and crevices making them highly earthquake-and landslideprone (Goel 2014).…”

Section: Adaptive Capacity In Marginal Mountainous Areasmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Neglecting mountain contexts limits smallholder options and increases vulnerability to GEC (Mishra et al 2019). The specificities of MMA are central to the need to enhance adaptive capacity through institutions for collective action.…”

Section: Adaptive Capacity In Marginal Mountainous Areasmentioning

confidence: 99%

Exploring synergies and trade-offs among the sustainable development goals: collective action and adaptive capacity in marginal mountainous areas of India

et al. 2019

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Global environmental change (GEC) threatens to undermine the sustainable development goals (SDGs). Smallholders in marginal mountainous areas (MMA) are particularly vulnerable due to precarious livelihoods in challenging environments. Acting collectively can enable and constrain the ability of smallholders to adapt to GEC. The objectives of this paper are: (i) identify collective actions in four MMA of the central Indian Himalaya Region, each with differing institutional contexts; (ii) assess the adaptive capacity of each village by measuring livelihood capital assets, diversity, and sustainable land management practices. Engaging with adaptive capacity and collective action literatures, we identify three broad approaches to adaptive capacity relating to the SDGs: natural hazard mitigation (SDG 13), social vulnerability (SDG 1, 2 and 5), and social-ecological resilience (SDG 15). We then develop a conceptual framework to understand the institutional context and identify SDG synergies and trade-offs. Adopting a mixed method approach, we analyse the relationships between collective action and the adaptive capacity of each village, the sites where apparent trade-offs and synergies among SDGs occur. Results illustrate each village has unique socio-environmental characteristics, implying distinct development challenges, vulnerabilities and adaptive capacities exist. Subsequently, specific SDG synergies and trade-offs occur even within MMA, and it is therefore crucial that institutions facilitate locally appropriate collective actions in order to achieve the SDGs. We suggest that co-production in the identification, prioritisation and potential solutions to the distinct challenges facing MMA can increase understandings of the specific dynamics and feedbacks necessary to achieve the SDGs in the context of GEC.

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Adaptation to Climate Change in the Hindu Kush Himalaya: Stronger Action Urgently Needed

Cited by 56 publications

References 69 publications

From needs to actions: prospects for planned adaptations in high mountain communities

From needs to actions: prospects for planned adaptations in high mountain communities

Adaptation to mountain cryosphere change: issues and challenges

Exploring synergies and trade-offs among the sustainable development goals: collective action and adaptive capacity in marginal mountainous areas of India

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