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Climate Change in Zimbabwe’s Vulnerable Communities: A Case Study of Supporting Enhanced Climate Action Project (SECA Project) in Bulilima District

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Sustainable Development Goals for Society Vol. 2

Part of the book series: Sustainable Development Goals Series ((SDGS))

Abstract

There are noticeable changes in climatic conditions in the sub-Saharan region, characterised by unreliable rainfall which adversely affect agriculture and food production. Research on Zimbabwe reveals that the agricultural sector is already suffering from changing rainfall patterns, temperature increases and extreme weather events such as floods and droughts. This compromises the country’s aim of achieving Sustainable Development Goals 1 and 2 which focus on eliminating poverty and hunger. Consequently, the Zimbabwean government is working with strategic partners to implement projects aimed at sustaining smallholder farmer livelihoods within vulnerable communities whilst also addressing the impacts of climate change. Thus, this study sought to map best practices and lessons learnt in the implementation of the Supporting Enhanced Climate Action (SECA) project (2016–2020). Through focus group discussions and key informant interviews, the study established that solar-powered and tailor-made multiple-use irrigation were crucial to enhancing community adaptation. Additionally, integrated planning was shown to have a high impact in addressing other sustainable development goals. The study provided lessons on strengthening governance systems and for improved adaptation and resilience building through engagement. Finally, the study recommends multi-stakeholder engagements to develop intra-adaptation and mitigation actions, tailor-made climate information and strong markets and sustainable value chains.

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Notes

  1. 1.

    SDG 1, end poverty; SDG 2, zero hunger; SDG 5, gender equality; SDG 6, clean water and sanitation; SDG 7, affordable and clean energy; SDG 13, climate action.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Environmental Sciences, University of South Africa, Pretoria, South Africa

    Veronica Nonhlanhla Gundu-Jakarasi

  2. Young Volunteers for the Environment, Harare, Zimbabwe

    Justice Nhidza

Authors
  1. Veronica Nonhlanhla Gundu-Jakarasi
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  2. Justice Nhidza
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Veronica Nonhlanhla Gundu-Jakarasi .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Chief Researcher & Exxaro Chair in Business and Climate Change, Institute for Corporate Citizenship, University of South Africa, Pretoria, South Africa

    Godwell Nhamo

  2. Postdoctoral Fellow: Exxaro Chair in Business and Climate Change, Institute for Corporate Citizenship, University of South Africa, Pretoria, South Africa

    David Chikodzi

  3. Department of Ecotourism Management, Vaal University of Technology, Vanderbijlpark, South Africa

    Kaitano Dube

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Gundu-Jakarasi, V.N., Nhidza, J. (2021). Climate Change in Zimbabwe’s Vulnerable Communities: A Case Study of Supporting Enhanced Climate Action Project (SECA Project) in Bulilima District. In: Nhamo, G., Chikodzi, D., Dube, K. (eds) Sustainable Development Goals for Society Vol. 2. Sustainable Development Goals Series. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-70952-5_14

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