Abstract
Despite the international focus on adaptation and mitigation, climate change remains one of the most pressing challenges globally. Scientists have predicted that developing countries will most be affected by climate change partly because their economies rely on the natural environment yet they have inadequate access to information on climate change and are languishing in poverty. Several strategies have been developed by scientists to enhance the adaptive capacity of the local communities and scholars have documented the various adaptation and mitigation strategies in developing countries specifically sub-Saharan Africa. However, the sustainability aspect is largely missing from the adaptation and mitigation discourse. A few studies that have attempted to examine the sustainability question are broad, generic, and lacking depth.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Similar content being viewed by others
Bibliography
Abebe M. A. (2014) “Climate Change, Gender Inequality and Migration in East Africa.” Washington Journal of Environmental Law and Policy 4: 104 https://digitalcommons.law.uw.edu/wjelp/vol4/iss1/6 (Accessed 22 September 2020).
Adhikari V. A., Nejadhei P., Woznicki S. A. (2015) “Climate Change in Eastern Africa: A Review of Impact on Major Crops.” Food and Energy Security 4(2): 110–132 https://doi.org/10.1002/fes3.61 (Accessed 9 August 2021).
Amigun B., Musango J. K., Stafford W. (2011). “Biofuels and Sustainability in Africa.” Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews 15(2): 1360–1372 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2010.10.015 (Accessed 9 August 2021).
Ampaire E. L., Jassogne L., Providence H., Acosta M., Twyman J., Winowiecki L., van Asten P. (2017) “Institutional Challenges to Climate Change Adaptation: A Case Study on Policy Action Gaps in Uganda.” Environmental Science and Policy 75(June): 81–90. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envsci.2017.05.013 (Accessed 9 August 2021).
Ampaire E., Okolo W., Acosta M., Jassogne L., Twyman J., Muindi P., Mwongera C. (2016) “Barriers to Successful Climate Change Policy Implementation in Tanzania Findings from a Desk Review and Exploratory Studies in Lushoto, Kilolo and Bagamoyo Districts, Tanzania.” Research Program on Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security (CCAFS). Retrieved from https://cgspace.cgiar.org/handle/10568/78576 (Accessed 9 August 2021).
Barnett J., O’Neill S. (2010) “Maladaptation.” Global Environment Change 20(2): 211–213. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gloenvcha.2009.11.004 (Accessed 9 August 2021).
Besada H., Sewankambo N. (2009) “Climate Change in Africa: Adaptation, Mitigation and Governance Challenges.” CIGI Special Report: Accessed 9 September 2020. https://www.cigionline.org/sites/default/files/climate_change_in_africa_3.pdf (Accessed 9 August 2021).
Bhatasara S., Nyamwanza A. (2018) “Sustainability: A Missing Dimension in Climate Change Adaptation Discourse in Africa?” Journal of Integrative Environmental Sciences 15(1): 83–97. https://doi.org/10.1080/1943815X.2018.1450766 (Accessed 9 August 2021).
Boko M., Niang I., Nyong A., Vogel C., Githeko A., Medany M., Osman-Elasha B., Tabo R., Yanda P. (2007) Africa. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK.
Brown K. (2011). “Sustainable Adaptation: An Oxymoron.” Climate and Development 3(1): 21–31. https://doi.org/10.3763/cdev.2010.0062 (Accessed 9 August 2021).
Chambers R., Conway G. R. (1991) “Sustainable Rural Livelihoods: Practical Concepts for the 21st Century.” IDS Discuss Paper, 296: 1–29. https://www.ids.ac.uk/download.php?file=files/Dp296.pdf (Accessed 13 October 2020).
Christensen J. H., Hewitson B., Busuioc A., Chen A., Gao X., Held I., Jones R., Kwon W.-T., Laprise R., Rueda V. M., Mearns L. O., Mene’sndez C. G., Räisänen J., Rinke A., Kolli, R. K., Sarr A., Whetton P. (2007) Regional Climate Projections. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK.
Dai A. (2011) “Drought under Global Warming: A Review.” Climate Change 2: 45–65. https://doi.org/10.1002/wcc.81 (Accessed 9 August 2021).
Deke O., Hooss K. G., Kasten C., Klepper G., Springer K. (2001) “Economic Impacts of Climate Change: Simulations with Regionalized Climate—Economy Model.” Kiel Working Paper No. 1065. Accessed 15 August 2020. https://www.files.ethz.ch/isn/124059/kap1065.pdf (Accessed 9 August 2021).
Durack P. J., Wijffels S. E., Matear R. J. (2012) “Ocean Salinities Reveal Strong Global Water Cycle Intensification during 1950 to 2000.” Science 336: 455–458. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1212222 (Accessed 9 August 2021).
Osman-Elasha B. (2009) “Climate Change Impacts, Adaptation and Links to Sustainable Development in Africa.” Unasylva 231/232(60): 12–16. http://www.fao.org/3/i0670e/i0670e03.pdf (Accessed 12 August 2020).
Eriksen S., Aldunce P., Bahinipati C. S., Martins R. D.-A., Molefe J. I., Nhemachena C., O’Brien K., Olorunfemi F., Park J., Sygna L., et al. (2011) “When not Every Response to Climate Change is a Good One: Identifying Principles for Sustainable Adaptation.” Climate and Development 3(1): 7–20. https://doi.org/10.3763/cdev.2010.0060 (Accessed 9 August 2021).
Eriksen S., Brown K. (2011) “Sustainable Adaptation to Climate Change.” Climate and Development 3(1): 3–6. https://doi.org/10.3763/cdev.2010.0064 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gloenvcha.2005.11.007.
Eriksen S., O’Brien K. (2007) “Vulnerability, Poverty and the Need for Sustainable Adaptation Measures.” Climate Policy 7: 337–352.
Ford J. D., Smit B., Wandel J. (2006) “Vulnerability to Climate Change in the Arctic: A Case Study from Arctic Bay, Canada.” Global Environmental Change 16(2): 145–160. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gloenvcha.2005.11.007 (Accessed 9 August 2021).
Gemeda D. O., Sima A. D. (2015) “The Impacts of Climate Change on African Continent and the Way Forward.” Journal of Ecology and the Natural Environment 7(10): 256–262. https://doi.org/10.5897/JENE2015.0533 (Accessed 9 August 2021).
GoU (2003) The National Fisheries Policy. Authors, Kampala.
GoU (Government of Uganda) (2007) “Climate Change: Uganda National Adaptation Programmes of Action (NAPA).” Environmental Alert, GEF, UNEP, Kampala. http://www.adaptationlearning.net/node/522 (Accessed 18 April 2020).
GoU (2013a) Uganda Vision, 2040. National Planning Authority, Kampala. Retrieved 11 April 2020 from http://www.npa.go.ug/uganda-vision-2040/.
GoU (2013b) The National Coffee Policy. Authors, Kampala.
GoU (2015a) “National Development Plan II (2015/16–2019/20).” Government of Uganda, Kampala.
GoU (2015b) Uganda National Climate Change Policy. Authors, Kampala.
Hepworth N., Goulden M. (2008) “Climate Change in Uganda: Understanding the Implications and Appraising the Response.” LTS International, Edinburgh. Retrieved 14 April 2019 from https://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/7F1BF4A7CF37F6A54925756F0016ED29-Full_Report.pdf.
Harvey C. A., Rakotobe Z. L., Rao N. S., Dave R., Razafimahatratra H., Rabarijohn R. H., Rajaofara H., MacKinnon J. L. (2014) “Extreme Vulnerability of Smallholder Farmers to Agricultural Risks and Climate Change in Madagascar.” Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B 369: 20130089. https://doi.org/10.1098/rstb.2013.0089 (Accessed 9 August 2021).
Huang J., Mingxia J., Yongkun X., Shanshan W., Yongli H., Jinjiang R. (2016) “Global Semi-arid Climate Change over Last 60 Years.” Climate Dynamics 46(3): 1131–1150 https://doi.org/10.1007/s00382-015-2636-8 (Accessed 9 August 2021).
IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) (2013) “Working Group I Contribution to Fifth Assessment Report on Climate Change 2013: The Physical Science Basis Summary for Policy Makers.” http://www.ipcc.ch/report/ar5/wgI/ (Accessed 10 April 2020).
IPCC (2014) “Summary for Policymakers. In: Climate Change 2014: Impacts, Adaptation, and Vulnerability Part A: Global and Sectoral Aspects Contribution of Working Group II to the Fifth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.” Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK.
Isingoma J. B. (2009) “Climate Change and Energy in Africa.” In Besada H., Sewankambo, N. (Eds.) Climate Change in Africa: Adaptation, Mitigation and Governance Challenges. CIGI Special Report, 36–40. https://www.cigionline.org/sites/default/files/climate_change_in_africa_3.pdf (Accessed 9 September, 2020).
Karekezi S., Kamani J., Onguru O, Kithyoma W. (2012) “Energy Security and Adaptation to Climate Change in East Africa and the Horn of Africa: Large Scale Hydropower vs. Decentralized Renewables.” https://ke.boell.org/en/2012/08/19/energy-security-and-adaptation-climate-change-east-africa-and-horn-africa-large-scale (Accessed 10 September 2020).
Kates R. W. (2000) “Cautionary Tales: Adaptation and the Global Poor.” Climate Change 45: 5–17. https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1005672413880 (Accessed 9 August 2021).
Klein R. J .T., Schipper E. L. F., Dessai S. (2005) “Integrating Mitigation and Adaptation into Climate and Development Policy: Three Research Questions.” Environmental Science and Policy 8(6): 579–588. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envsci.2005.06.010 (Accessed 9 August 2021).
Kararach G. (2014) “Climate Change and Environmental Sustainability in Africa’s Development.” In Development Policy in Africa, 175–198. Palgrave Macmillan, London. https://doi.org/10.1057/9781137360595_8 (Accessed 9 August 2021).
Lyon B., Dewitt D. G. (2012) “A Recent and Abrupt Decline in the East African Long Rains.” Geophysical Research Letters 39(2). https://doi.org/10.1029/2011GL050337 (Accessed 9 August 2021).
MAAIF (Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries) (2018) “National Adaptation Plan for the Agricultural Sector.” Government of Uganda, Kampala.
Müller C., Cramer W., Hare W. L., Lotze-Campen H. (2011) Climate Change Risks for African Agriculture 108(11): 4313–4315.
MWE (Ministry of Water and Environment) (2015) “Economic Assessment of the Impacts of Climate Change in Uganda.” Final Report.
Mwakaje A. G. (2013) “The Impact of Climate Change and Variability on Agro-Pastoralists’ Economy in Tanzania.” Environmental Economics 4(1): 30–38.
Mwangu A. R. (2020) “Appraising Climate Services in Uganda: Impact on Adaptation and Mitigation of Climate Change.” In Leal Filho W., Jacob D. (Eds.) Handbook of Climate Services. Climate Change Management. Springer, Cham, 383–400 https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-36875-3_19 (Accessed 9 August 2021).
Nancy A. (2012) “Climatic Change and Female Reproductive Health: The Case of Traditional Medicine in Tanzania.” The Journal of Pan African Studies 5(1): 23–35.
NCEA (Netherland Commission for Environment Assessment) (2015) “Climate Change Profiles, Dutch Sustainability Unit,” July 9.
Nyong A., Adesina F., Elasha O. (2007) “The Value of Indigenous Knowledge in Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies in African Sahel.” Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies for Global Change 12: 787–797. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11027-007-9099-0 (Accessed 9 August 2021).
Oriangi G., Albrecht F., Di Baldassarre G., Bamutaze Y., Mukwaya P. I., Ardö J., Pilesjö P. (2020) “Household Resilience to Climate Change Hazards in Uganda.” International Journal of Climate Change Strategies and Management 12 (1): 59–73. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJCCSM-10-2018-0069 (Accessed 9 August 2021).
Park S. E., Marshall N. A., Jakku E., Dowd A. M., Howden S. M., Mendham E., Fleming A. (2012) “Informing Adaptation Responses to Climate Change through Theories of Transformation.” Global Environment Change 22: 115–126. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gloenvcha.2011.10.003 (Accessed 9 August 2021).
Platts P. J., Omeny P. A., Marchant R. (2015) “AFRICLIM: High-resolution Climate Projections for Ecological Applications in Africa.” Africa Journal of Ecology 53: 103–108. https://doi.org/10.1111/aje.12180 (Accessed 9 August 2021).
Population Secretariat (2009) “The State of Uganda’s Population Report 2009.” Kampala.
Schipper E. L. F. (2006) “Conceptual History of Adaptation to Climate Change under the UNFCCC.” Review of European Community and International Environmental Law 15(1): 82–92. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-9388.2006.00501.x (Accessed 9 August 2021).
Scoones I. (2009) “Livelihoods Perspectives and Rural Development.” Journal of Peasant Studies 36(1): 171–196. https://doi.org/10.1080/03066150902820503 (Accessed 9 August 2021).
Sewankambo (2009) “Climate Change and Health: An Issue with Great Potential for Exacerbating Health Inequities in Africa.” In Besada H., Sewankambo N. (Eds.) Climate Change in Africa: Adaptation, Mitigation and Governance Challenges. CIGI Special Report, 16–20 https://www.cigionline.org/sites/default/files/climate_change_in_africa_3.pdf (Accessed 9 September 2020).
Shongwe M. E., Van Oldenborgh G. J., van Den Hurk B., van Aalst M. (2011) “Projected Changes in Mean and Extreme Precipitation in Africa under Global Warming. Part II: East Africa.” Journal of Climate 24: 3718–3733. https://doi.org/10.1175/2010JCLI2883.1.
Sliuzas R. V., Flacke J., Jetten V. G. (2013a) “Modelling Urbanization and Flooding in Kampala, Uganda.” 14th N-AERUS/GISDECO Conference, Enschede, 12–14 September. https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/546f/2ea13e914dc89c141eff4816312ea5198186.pdf (Accessed 11 August 2020).
Sliuzas R. V., Lwasa S., Jetten V. G., Petersen G., Flacke J., Wasige J. E. (2013b) “Searching for Flood Risk Management Strategies in Kampala.” In Planning for Resilient Cities and Regions: Proceedings of AESOP-ACSP Joint Congress. Dublin.
Speranza C. I., Kiteme B., Wiesmann U. (2008) “Droughts and Famines: The Underlying Factors and the Causal Links among Agro-pastoral Households in Semi-arid Makueni District, Kenya.” Global Environmental Change 18(1): 220–233. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gloenvcha.2007.05.001 (Accessed 9 August 2021).
Stakhiv E. Z. (1993) “Water Resources Planning and Management under Climate Uncertainty.” In Ballentine T. M., Stakhiv E. Z. (Eds.) Proceedings of the First National Conference on Climate Change and Water Resources Management. US Army Corps of Engineers Institute for Water Resources, Fort Belvoir, VA, 20–35.
Swart R., Robinson J., Cohen S. (2003) “Climate Change and Sustainable Development: Expanding the Options.” Climate Policy 3(1): S19–S40. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clipol.2003.10.010 (Accessed 9 August 2021).
Tadesse D. (2010) The Impact of Climate Change in Africa. ISS Paper 220, Institute for Security Studies, Pretoria. https://www.files.ethz.ch/isn/136704/PAPER220.pdf (Accessed 23 August 2020).
Takeuchi K., Aginam O. (2011) “Sustainability Challenges and Opportunities in Africa.” Sustainability Science 6: 3–5. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11625-010-0124-y (Accessed 9 August 2021).
Tenywa G. (2015) “40% of Uganda’s Land Affected by Degradation.” New Vision, February 25. Kampala.
Tenywa G. (2018) “Climate Change Costing Uganda Sh1.2b.” New Vision, June 28. Kampala.
Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS) (2016) “National Population and Housing Census, 2014, Kampala.” Accessed July 5, 2020 from https://unstats.un.org/unsd/demographic-social/census/documents/Uganda/UGA-2014-11.pdf (Accessed 9 August 2021).
Ulsrud K., Sygna L., O’Brien K. (2008) More Than Rain: Identifying Sustainable Pathways for Climate Adaptation and Poverty Reduction. The Development Fund, Norway, Oslo.
Vogel C., Steynor A., Manyuchi A. (2019) Climate Services in Africa: Re-imagining an Inclusive, Robust and Sustainable Service. Climate Services (15) https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cliser.2019.100107 (Accessed 9 August 2021).
Wasswa H., Kakembo V., Mugagga F. (2019) “A Spatial and Temporal Assessment of Wetland Loss to Development Projects: The Case of the Kampala–Mukono Corridor Wetlands in Uganda.” International Journal of Environmental Studies 76(2): 195–212. https://doi.org/10.1080/00207233.2018.1494931 (Accessed 9 August 2021).
Wheeler T., Kay M. (2010) “Food Crop Production, Water and Climate Change in the Developing World.” Outlook on Agriculture 39(4): 239–243. https://doi.org/10.5367/oa.2010.0017 (Accessed 9 August 2021).
Wheeler S., Zuo A., Bjornlund H. (2013) “Farmers’ Climate Change Beliefs and Adaptation Strategies for a Water Scarce Future in Australia.” Global Environmental Change 23(2): 537–547. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gloenvcha.2012.11.008 (Accessed 9 August 2021).
Williams A. P., Funk C. (2011) “A Westward Extension of the Warm Pool Leads to a Westward Extension of the Walker Circulation, Drying Eastern Africa.” Climate Dynamics 37: 2417–2435. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00382-010-0984-y (Accessed 9 August 2021).
Wise R. M., Fazey I., Stafford-Smith M., Park S. E., Eakin H. C., Archer V., Campbell B. (2014) “Reconceptualising Adaptation to Climate Change as Part of Pathways of Change and Response.” Global Environmental Change 28: 325–336. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gloenvcha.2013.12.002 (Accessed 9 August 2021).
World Commission on Environment and Development (WCED) (1987). Our Common Future. The Report of the World Commission on Environment and Development. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
World Health Organisation (WHO) (2014). “Quantitative Risk Assessment of the Effects of Climate Change on Selected Causes of Death, 2030s and 2050.” http://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/handle/10665/134014/9789241507691_eng.pdf (Accessed 20 October 2018).
Yohe G. W., Lasco R. D., Ahmad Q. K., Arnell N. W., Cohen S. J., Hope C., Janetos A. C., Perez R. T. (2007) “Perspectives on Climate Change and Sustainability.” In Parry M. L., Canziani, O. F., Palutikof J. P., van der Linden P. J., Hanson C. E. (Eds.) Climate Change 2007: Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability. Contribution of Working Group II to the Fourth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK, 811–841.
Zhou G., Minakawa N., Githeko A. K., Yan G. (2004) “Association between Climate Variability and Malaria Epidemics in the East African Highlands.” Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America 101(8): 2375–2380. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.0308714100 (Accessed 9 August 2021).
Acknowledgements
This paper benefited from Maria Sibylla Merian Institute for Advanced Studies in Africa (MIASA) writing workshop.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2022 The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Mwangu, A.R. (2022). Appraising the Sustainability Aspect in Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation Discourse: The Case of Uganda. In: Shabliy, E.V., Crawford, M.J., Kurochkin, D. (eds) Energy Justice. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-93068-4_6
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-93068-4_6
Published:
Publisher Name: Palgrave Macmillan, Cham
Print ISBN: 978-3-030-93067-7
Online ISBN: 978-3-030-93068-4
eBook Packages: Social SciencesSocial Sciences (R0)