The role of indigenous knowledge and local knowledge in water sector adaptation to climate change in Africa: a structured assessment

Abstract

Evidence is increasing of human responses to the impacts of climate change in Africa. However, understanding of the effectiveness of these responses for adaptation to climate change across the diversity of African contexts is still limited. Despite high reliance on indigenous knowledge (IK) and local knowledge (LK) for climate adaptation by African communities, potential of IK and LK to contribute to adaptation through reducing climate risk or supporting transformative adaptation responses is yet to be established. Here, we assess the influence of IK and LK for the implementation of water sector adaptation responses in Africa to better understand the relationship between responses to climate change and indigenous and local knowledge systems. Eighteen (18) water adaptation response types were identified from the academic literature through the Global Adaptation Mapping Initiative (GAMI) and intended nationally determined contributions (iNDCs) for selected African countries. Southern, West, and East Africa show relatively high evidence of the influence of IK and LK on the implementation of water adaptation responses, while North and Central Africa show lower evidence. At country level, Zimbabwe displays the highest evidence (77.8%) followed by Ghana (53.6%), Kenya (46.2%), and South Africa (31.3%). Irrigation, rainwater harvesting, water conservation, and ecosystem-based measures, mainly agroforestry, were the most implemented measures across Africa. These were mainly household and individual measures influenced by local and indigenous knowledge. Adaptation responses with IK and LK influence recorded higher evidence of risk reduction compared to responses without IK and LK. Analysis of iNDCs shows the most implemented water adaptation actions in academic literature are consistent with water sector adaptation targets set by most African governments. Yet only 10.4% of the African governments included IK and LK in adaptation planning in the iNDCs. This study recommends a coordinated approach to adaptation that integrates multiple knowledge sources, including IK and LK, to ensure sustainability of both current and potential water adaptation measures in Africa.

Adaptation to compound climate risks: A systematic global stocktake

“…Each article was then coded by at least two coders by a team of 120 researchers. 159 The GAMI dataset has led to a broad range of research outputs, including a systematic global stocktake of evidence on human adaptation to climate change, 8 assessment of feasibility and effectiveness of climate adaptation options across Africa, 10 assessment of the responses to climate-related water scarcity in Africa, 12 trade-offs and synergies across global climate change adaptations in the Food-Energy-Water nexus, 160 assessment of the role of Indigenous Knowledge and Local Knowledge in water sector adaptation to climate change in Africa, 161 adaptation in conflict-affected areas, 162 a global assessment of policy tools to support climate adaptation, 163 adaptation gaps in mountain regions, 164 equity in human adaptation-related responses, 165 review of the evidence of constraints and limits to human adaptation, 39 the effects on public health of climate change adaptation responses, 11 and review of climate change adaptation to extreme heat. 34 Yet none of the analysis of GAMI to date has explored responses to compound climate events nor how responses compound with each other to affect risk.…”

Traditional Perceptions of Climate Change Phenomenon Influencing Adaptation Decisions among Women Crop Farmers in Southern Nigeria

“…The perception of subsistence farmers, including the level of agriculture practised, significantly influences their adaptation strategies to climate change, and the success of their responses to climate change is driven by local context (Sanni, 2019). The cultural values of people shape their perception and actions, and as traditional cultural values are not static, rural people initiate strategies in response to changes and other externalities (Zvobgo et al, 2022) like climate change. As climate change is a phenomenon, it could be said that the local knowledge of crop farmers in the context of their cultural and historical (or inter-generational) relationship with the environment, shape their perceptions of and adaptive responses to climate change (Nguyen & Ahmad, 2021).…”

Climate change in South Africa: Risks and opportunities for climate-resilient development in the IPCC Sixth Assessment WGII Report

“…9 Although responses informed by indigenous and local knowledge feed directly into the day-to-day management of agricultural activities, they are mostly supportive and are best implemented together with other measures to achieve transformative climate adaptation. 24 For example, South African communities' traditional drying of food for preservation purposes can help mitigate drought impacts, and traditionally harvested rainwater can supplement irrigation to address drought-related water scarcity. 1…”