Is indigenous knowledge serving climate adaptation? Evidence from various African regions

SummaryMotivationCommunities across the global south use their rich indigenous and local knowledge (ILK) to predict weather events and climate hazards. ILK may assist efforts to address climate change challenges in Africa and make subsequent decisions regarding climate adaptation.PurposeThe article documents evidence of the ILK's potential in reducing vulnerability to climate change and/or improving the resilience of communities. The study also reflects on major barriers that hinder the improved mainstreaming of ILK into adaptation strategies.Methods and approachThe present study uses two main methods: a literature review and a presentation of case studies from a sample of African countries where ILK informs adaptation options, including indigenous land‐tenure practices and weather prediction. The selected case studies highlight the historical legacy of ILK and its effectiveness in reducing vulnerability and the impacts of climate change.FindingsThe results indicate that, despite being acknowledged as a valuable resource for climate adaptation, current national adaptation policies on the African continent still show serious gaps in effectively integrating ILK systems within the legal frameworks to reduce vulnerability.Policy implicationsILK should be better integrated with modern climate change adaptation strategies to anticipate more effective responses. Both rural communities and relevant government agencies should complement the use of ILK with climate change strategies, so as to maximize its contribution to the effective implementation of climate change policies.

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Citations

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References

Details

Published: Feb 01, 2023
Vol/Issue: 41(2)
License: View

Authors

W

Walter Leal Filho

International Climate Change Information and Research Programme Hamburg University of Applied Sciences Germany; Department of Natural Sciences Manchester Metropolitan University Manchester UK

F

Franziska Wolf

Hamburg University of Applied Sciences European School of Sustainability Science and Research Germany

E

Edmond Totin

Ecole de Foresterie Tropicale Université Nationale d'Agriculture du Benin Benin

L

Luckson Zvobgo

Climate System Analysis Group (CSAG) University of Cape Town Cape Town South Africa

N

Nicholas Philip Simpson

African Climate and Development Initiative University of Cape Town Cape Town South Africa

K

Kumbirai Musiyiwa

Department of Crop Science and Post‐Harvest Technology, School of Agricultural Sciences Chinhoyi University of Technology Chinhoyi Zimbabwe

J

Jokastah W. Kalangu

School of Water Resource Science Technology South Eastern Kenya University Nairobi Kenya

M

Maruf Sanni

National Centre for Technology Management (Federal Ministry of Science and Technology) Obafemi Awolowo University Ile‐Ife Nigeria

I

Ibidun Adelekan

Department of Geography, Faculty of the Social Sciences University of Ibadan Ibadan Nigeria

J

Jackson Efitre

Makerere University College of Natural Sciences, Department of Zoology, Entomology and Fisheries Sciences Kampala Uganda

F

Felix Kwabena Donkor

Faculty of Geography Education University of Education Winneba Ghana

A

Abdul‐Lateef Balogun

Geospatial Analysis and Modelling Research (GAMR) Group, Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS (UTP) Perak Malaysia

S

Serafino Afonso Rui Mucova

Faculty of Natural Sciences Lúrio University Mozambique

D

Desalegn Yayeh Ayal

Addis Ababa University College of Development Studies, Center for Food Security Studies (CFSS) Addis Ababa Ethiopia

Funding

International Development Research Centre

Cite This Article

Walter Leal Filho, Franziska Wolf, Edmond Totin, et al. (2023). Is indigenous knowledge serving climate adaptation? Evidence from various African regions. Development Policy Review, 41(2). https://doi.org/10.1111/dpr.12664

Is indigenous knowledge serving climate adaptation? Evidence from various African regions

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