Insights from positive deviance approach to support socially inclusive climate adaptation in Kenya dairy systems

Transformation to climate-smart livestock systems can generate multiple trade-offs and synergies. In Kenyan dairy farming systems, gender norms and practices influence ownership and decision-making about information, innovations, and labor. Positive deviance is used to identify common practices and deviations from those practices in dairy households. The approach provides the opportunity to learn about ‘hidden’, less socially acceptable behaviors

Hidden pathways: approaches to understand intra-household gender relations and climate adaptation in Kenya dairy systems

The transformation of livestock systems towards sustainable climate smart systems will generate multiple trade-offs and synergies. In this paper, we describe how gender relations shape, and are shaped by, climate adaptation innovations, specifically the uptake of innovations in dairy producing households in Western Kenya. Our research complements a producer-led scaling intervention in which positive deviants are those who, all else being equal, outperform their neighbours. These ‘adaptation pioneers’ then lead the scaling of climate smart feed and fodder innovations in their communities. However, intra-household dynamics surrounding uptake of innovations often are uneven and can reinforce inequitable distribution of benefits and burdens. We develop a positive deviance framework to identify common and ‘hidden’ patterns and pathways in intra-household gender relations related to dairy innovations, such as decision-making surrounding income and labour. Qualitative data was collected through 20 sex disaggregated focus group discussions, 10 key informant interviews, and field observations in Nandi and Bomet counties over multiple visits in 2022-2023. Using vignettes, we explore what ‘typical’ and less common, or ‘deviant’ household relations are, and whether such deviations are socially acceptable. Thematic analysis was performed in NVivo using iterative deductive and inductive approaches. We find that most households are patriarchal- men are the primary decision-makers and, unsurprisingly, this is generally also socially acceptable in the community. However, both women and men desire more equitable relations and outcomes in their households, but due to social norms that guide what is socially acceptable in the community, these relationships are not discussed openly in society, especially because they undermine men’s roles as heads of household. Married women also negotiate and navigate decision-making spaces, often in hidden ways. This research generates insights into methodological approaches to reveal complex yet oversimplified dimensions of gender relations, such as who has agency, and when and how agency is negotiated. Our findings highlight the potential trade-offs and synergies that may occur through producer-led scaling and sets a foundation for the design of gender responsive scaling approaches that can foster synergies in socially equitable climate adaptation strategies and outcomes

Through the lens of inequality: What can we learn from CGIAR as a case study of research on the climate security nexus?

Grasping the indirect and non-linear linkages between climate and conflict merits uncovering how inequalities entrenched in existing social structures may inform and mediate this intricate relationship. Despite growing understanding around the need to focus on the entire climate security inequality nexus, existing literature has so far been tipping towards either unpacking inequality and conflict or inequality and climate linkages. Furthermore, research for development work is yet to unpack in detail context-specific nuances of this complex nexus. Building on this understanding, this working paper aims to study how research for development work has engaged with the climate security inequality nexus. Using CGIAR’s work on land, water, and food systems as case study, the paper conducts a knowledge mapping exercise to highlight gaps and scope for guiding future research

Towards a Common Vision of Climate Security in Kenya

The security implications of climate variability and change, commonly referred to as the climate-security nexus, have been widely discussed in both policy circles and academia. While climate is rarely the sole cause of conflict, it can exacerbate conflict risks and outcomes by affecting societies’ economic performance, amplifying patterns of marginalization and exclusion, and challenging the capacity of already strained institutions (von Uexkull & Buhaug, 2021). Because of its significant dependence on rain-fed agriculture, with high seasonal variations in the availability of water and pasture and high levels of political fragility, the Horn of Africa has often been portrayed as one of the regions more likely to suffer from climate-related political instability (Krampe et al., 2020). Kenya, in particular, has been the subject of several studies by research institutes and international organizations that explore whether and how climate change may affect peace and security in the country. While climate impacts will increasingly have destabilizing effects on societies and communities across Kenya, the question of how this is happening remains partially unaddressed. This report presents and summarizes the findings of the first ClimBeR Climate Security Workshop held in Nairobi on the 22nd and 23rd of June 2022

Young women's and men's climate adaptation practices and capacities in Kenya livestock production systems

The final, formatted version of the article will be published soon.Climate change adaptation strategies specific to the livestock sector must be identified and tailored to diverse locations and livestock production systems to be effective. Social factors such as gender, wealth, age and education levels generate differentiated abilities and capacities to cope with climate shocks.In this study we draw upon 48 age and sex disaggregated focus group discussions with youth to understand young people’s engagement in the livestock sector and their livestock adaptation strategies. We first explore whether gender and locational differences exist in young women’s and men’s engagement in the livestock sector, specifically which livestock species young women and men rear. Next, we describe young women’s and men’s climate livestock adaptation strategies in mixed crop and livestock and agropastoral systems. Lastly, we share insights about specific relationships in different household arrangement that shape young women’s and men’s engagement in livestock during their transitions to adulthood. Youth rear certain species more than others, such as chickens and dairy cows. Livestock adaptation is generally low. Gendered practices during transitions to adulthood differ for young women and men and household relationships mediate young women’s and men’s livestock production engagement. intergenerational transfers are gendered, however, are changing in all locations. Women’s opportunities to inherit or acquire land, for instance, have expanded. Transitions into new households, however, often reinforce gendered access to resources and women’s labor. Recommendations on how to better develop inclusive and sustainable policies that provide support to youth in livestock and strengthen their adaptation capacities are provided

Mapping Policymaker Perspectives Of The Climate Security- Migration Nexus In Nigeria: A Social Media Analysis

Despite growing attention around the climate security-migration nexus, the linkages between climate change, migration, and conflict and security risks have remained a matter of debate for research, policy, and practice. Attempts at gathering empirical evidence on this nexus, as well as global level policy instruments, have mainly focused on international contexts. At national and sub-national scales, interest and awareness around this nexus has yet to be reflected in the policy arena. Not only are the development of policies for national and human security and for climate adaptation and mitigation often detached, they largely fail to consider the complex pathways that connect these two dimensions with human mobility and immobility. To address this gap, we apply an online issue mapping approach to assess representations of migration as a topic of governance within the public discourse of state actors related to climate security domains, using Nigeria as a case study. This study investigates two research questions: 1) How is the climate security-migration nexus represented in Nigeria’s policy agenda? 2) What associations between migration and other climate security variables are represented in the public discourse of policymakers? In line with recent trends in academic research that use social media platforms as proxies for wider public discourse and engagement, this study relies on the foundations of Digital Methods to explore the salience of the climate security-migration nexus among Nigerian policy actors at national level

Climate Security Pathway Analysis: Sudan

This factsheet gives answers on how climate exacerbates root causes of conflict in Sudan, using an impact pathway analysis. Two main impact pathways are identified: 1. Resource Availability and Access: Climate variability and extreme events are putting pressure on land, water and pasture while increasing desertification is pushing pastoralists ever further south in their quest to feed their livestock. 2. Livelihood and Food Security: Climate variability is reducing agricultural production in Sudan, leading to high food insecurity and protests