Climate change adaptation to escape the poverty trap: role of the private sector

Shixiong Cao; Heran Zheng

doi:10.1002/ehs2.1244

journal article Oct 01, 2016

Climate change adaptation to escape the poverty trap: role of the private sector

Shixiong Cao

Heran Zheng

Ecosystem Health and Sustainability Vol. 2 No. 10 · American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)

View at Publisher Save 10.1002/ehs2.1244

Abstract

AbstractClimate change adaptation and poverty alleviation call for an integrated strategy, because poverty exacerbates the vulnerability to climate change and vice versa. The private sector, which has traditionally been excluded from adaptation planning, may contribute greatly to the development of an integrated strategy. Here, we identify the differences in adaptation trajectories between the private sector and communities by proposing a conceptual framework and report on a case study in a dryland area of China, where the private sector led a successful adaptation and poverty alleviation project. We found that their win–win strategy achieved both climate change adaptation and development, thereby helping a disadvantaged community to escape the poverty trap and achieve sustainable development. The private sector played a dominant role in the response, as this sector can adapt in ways that are not possible for governments or communities. We suggest that participatory governance that includes private‐sector stakeholders is more likely to achieve sustainable development.

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Citations

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References

Details

Published: Oct 01, 2016
Vol/Issue: 2(10)
License: View

Authors

S

Shixiong Cao

School of Economics and Management, Yan'an University, Yan’an, Shanxi, 716000China; Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research, School of International Development, University of East Anglia, Norwich, Norfolk, NR4 7TJUK

H

Heran Zheng

Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research, School of International Development, University of East Anglia, Norwich, Norfolk, NR4 7TJUK; School of Economics and Management, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, 100083China

Funding

National Key Technology R&D Program Award: 2016YFC0501002

Cite This Article

Shixiong Cao, Heran Zheng (2016). Climate change adaptation to escape the poverty trap: role of the private sector. Ecosystem Health and Sustainability, 2(10). https://doi.org/10.1002/ehs2.1244

Climate change adaptation to escape the poverty trap: role of the private sector

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