The aim of this report is to contribute to the identification of ways through which communities, especially vulnerable groups, may be enabled to adapt to climate change. Adaptation to climate change refers to adjustment made in natural or human systems in response to actual or expected climate stimuli or their effects in order to moderate harm or make use of beneficial opportunities.¹ This may be achieved through addressing the current sources of vulnerability among the different groups. By virtue of being a party to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the government of Uganda recognizes and supports...
Climate refers to “average weather” and represents the state of the climate system over a given time period. Climate changes over time may be due to natural variability or as a result of human induced increases of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere14 and is reflected in the variation of the mean state of weather variables including temperature, precipitation and wind. The anticipated impacts of human-induced climate change will affect people differently, depending on their livelihood strategies and asset base. Hence, some groups are said to be more vulnerable than others.
Vulnerability refers to the potential to be adversely affected by...
Mean global temperatures are expected to increase by between 1.4 and 5.8oC over the next 100 years.53 The large range in the expected rise in average global temperature is due to uncertainties inherent in climate scenarios, including inadequate understanding of feedback processes in the climate system (i.e. modification of clouds, snow cover, ocean currents, vegetation responses) and uncertainty about future emission levels.54 There are likely to be considerable differences among regions in terms of temperature changes, distribution of rainfall, frequency and intensity of extreme events such as storms, floods and droughts resulting from rising global average temperatures.55 The vulnerability assessment...
The inclusion of climate change and vulnerability considerations in sectoral and development planning and policies is an important way through which adaptation may be promoted. The potential damage from anticipated impacts of climate change could be reduced and society be prepared to take advantage of the opportunities presented. When interacting with other stressors (such as HIV/AIDS or economic changes), climate change could trigger adverse consequence and contribute to more people descending into destitution. This makes it particularly important to ensure that appropriate and timely measures are put in place to cushion the vulnerable groups against such shocks. The Ugandan national...
This paper has reviewed the potential impacts of climate change on Uganda and illustrated possible adaptation measures taking into consideration social, economic and environmental trends and sources of vulnerability. Agriculture remains the backbone of the economy and in order to contribute to climate change adaptation, its development should take place in such a way as to improve livelihood security, in particular among the poorest. However, it is important that other livelihood strategies including pastoralism are also given adequate attention. Due to the relatively limited information on adaptation to climate change in Uganda, an in-depth look at the traditional coping strategies...
