ABSTRACT
Adaptation to climate change has been defined as adjustment in natural or human systems in response to actual or expected climatic stimuli or their effects, which moderates harm or exploits beneficial opportunities (IPCC, 2007). Although the whole world is affected by the impacts of climate change, it is widely accepted those most in need of support for adaptation are the poorest people in developing countries (Adger, Huq, Brown, Conway, & Hulme, 2009; Ayers & Dodman, 2010; Burton, 2004; Huq & Ayers, 2007; IPCC, 2007; Schipper, 2007). This is because although exposure to impacts is driven by climatic hazards, the capacity to adapt to these hazards is determined by factors related to (under) development such as poverty, social and political marginalization, meaning people are unable to cope with both climate and other stresses. For example, individuals and households that have reliable access to food and adequate food reserves, clean water, health care and education will inevitably be better prepared to deal with a variety of shocks and stresses – including those arising because of climate change
(Dodman, Ayers, & Huq, 2009). The links between development and adaptation have resulted in calls to tackle the two issues in an integrated way – to ‘mainstream’ climate change adaptation into development support and development planning (Huq et al., 2004; Klein, Schipper, & Dessai, 2003, Klein, 2010; Olhoff & Schaer, 2010).
