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Understanding households’ livelihood vulnerability to climate change in the Lamjung district of Nepal

Author

Listed:
  • Shobha Poudel

    (Kyoto University)

  • Shinya Funakawa

    (Kyoto University)

  • Hitoshi Shinjo

    (Kyoto University)

  • Bhogendra Mishra

    (Science Hub)

Abstract

Based on spatial variation and time, climate change has various levels of impacts on different communities and sometime with the state of development as well. The rural mountainous households that depend on natural resources for subsistence livelihoods and agriculture are particularly vulnerable with changing climate. Livelihood vulnerability assessment at local level is imperative to formulate appropriate adaptation policy and programs to address their livelihood challenges. This paper explored two vulnerability assessment indices, livelihood vulnerability index and IPCC vulnerability index by surveying 150 households from three village development committees (VDCs) in Lamjung district, Nepal. Data related to climate variables, natural disasters, water and food security, health, socio-demographics, livelihood strategies, and social network were collected and combined into indices. Both indices differed based on well-being status, gender of the household head and location across the households of three VDCs. The analysis was based on indices constructed from selected indicators measuring exposure, sensitivity, and adaptive capacity. Results indicated that very poor and poor households, and female-headed households were more vulnerable than medium, well-off and male-headed households. The availability of livelihood diversified strategies, education, establishment of early warning system to climate extreme will help to reduce vulnerability to climate change in the study areas. The findings help in designing priority areas of intervention for adaptation plan to reduce vulnerability and enhance the resilience of the mountainous households to climate change.

Suggested Citation

  • Shobha Poudel & Shinya Funakawa & Hitoshi Shinjo & Bhogendra Mishra, 2020. "Understanding households’ livelihood vulnerability to climate change in the Lamjung district of Nepal," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 22(8), pages 8159-8182, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:endesu:v:22:y:2020:i:8:d:10.1007_s10668-019-00566-3
    DOI: 10.1007/s10668-019-00566-3
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    6. Rijan Bhakta Kayastha & Woo-Kyun Lee & Nischal Shrestha & Sonam Wangyel Wang, 2023. "Assessing the Livelihood Vulnerability of Nomads to Changing Climate in the Third Pole Region of Nepal," Land, MDPI, vol. 12(5), pages 1-14, May.

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