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Climate-smart innovation practices and sustainable rural livelihoods: A systematic literature review

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  • Zewdu, Degu
  • Krishnan C, Muralee
  • Raj, P.P. Nikhil
  • Arlikatti, Sudha
  • McAleavy, Tony

Abstract

The scientific literature has long focused on how climate change would affect rural livelihoods. However, there is a considerable need to better understand the role of innovations and technologies in establishing climate-resilient livelihood systems. Climate-smart innovation practices not only facilitate the attainment of Sustainable Development Goal 13,"Climate Action," but are also intrinsically linked to several other Sustainable Development Goals, including Goal 1,"No Poverty," and Goal 2,"Zero Hunger." Sustainable livelihood systems necessitate climate-smart innovations that foster resilience and adaptive capacity, thereby mitigating the effects of climate shocks. This systematic literature review explores how climate-smart innovations can help promote sustainable rural livelihoods. We used the Google Scholar, Scopus, and Science Direct databases to find information on the Boolean operators of climate-smart innovations and sustainable rural livelihoods. Seventy-eight articles published between 2008 and 2023 met the explicit criteria for inclusion. The findings showed that emphasising climate-smart technologies and sustainable practices improves rural livelihood resilience, minimises production risks, and increases producer incomes. Findings also revealed that while institutional innovations involve increasing access to resources, information, and markets, climate-smart innovations in agriculture, such as precision agriculture and sustainable farming practices, enable farmers to reduce input loss and increase production, offering promising solutions to the complex challenges of climate change and promoting economic prosperity in the rural livelihood sector. However, it is imperative to intensify efforts to mitigate the climate catastrophe by cultivating innovation in all domains. The efficient management of climate change necessitates the implementation of multidimensional climate-smart innovations. The study presents a critical step in providing important insights into the effectiveness of climate-smart innovations and technologies in the rural livelihood sectors.

Suggested Citation

  • Zewdu, Degu & Krishnan C, Muralee & Raj, P.P. Nikhil & Arlikatti, Sudha & McAleavy, Tony, 2025. "Climate-smart innovation practices and sustainable rural livelihoods: A systematic literature review," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 82(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:teinso:v:82:y:2025:i:c:s0160791x25001046
    DOI: 10.1016/j.techsoc.2025.102914
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