Summary

Climate change is one of the major threats to wildlife resources and rural livelihoods in terrestrial semi-arid savanna ecosystems. The overall aim of this study was to explore legal and institutional frameworks for climate change adaptation in the context of a green economy related to wildlife conservation and rural livelihoods. The study used an interdisciplinary approach with complementary theories from global environmental change, socio-ecological systems, sustainability, political ecology, local and professional ecological knowledge perspectives. The Middle Zambezi Biosphere Reserve (MZBR), Zimbabwe was used as a case study with some parrallels being drawn from other African countries. The study employed the mixed methods approach including household questionnaire survey (n = 320), key informant interviews (n = 26) and focus group discussions (n = 8) to collect data between April 2015 and October 2016. Descriptive statistics and content analysis were used to analyse quantitative and qualitative data respectively. Findings from literature review and case studies indicate that drought, flood induced wildlife mortalities and habitat changes, especially the abundance and distribution of forage and water resources, were some of the key observed impacts of climate change and variability in southern Africa including MZBR. Key findings from policy review established that Zimbabwean wildlife policies and the Southern Africa Development Cooperation (SADC) Protocols related to wildlife conservation do not address climate change adaptation and mitigation issues in their texts. Results from the MZBR case study indicate that local communities have observed decreasing rainfall and increasing temperatures as key indicators of climate change. Results further established that local communities use ethno-ecological knowledge to interpret and predict climatic events and resort to such alternative food sources as wild fruits and legumes and adjusted agricultural activities in order to enhance food security in the face of a changing climate. Findings indicate that climate change and green economy issues have been incorporated in policy documents that were developed after 2010 such as the Zimbabwe’s National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAPS, 2013-2020). The study also revealed that both formal and informal institutions in the MZBR implement programmes and projects related to climate change adaptation and mitigation in the context of  green economy. It is concluded that: (i) east and southern African countries should consider aligning their wildlife policies and legislation with current NBSAPs so as to mainstream climate change (inclusive of the twin pillars of adaptation and mitigation) into wildlife management, and (ii) LEK can contribute towards resilience of socio-ecological systems by highlighting potential local adaptation strategies that can sustain livelihoods in the face of climate change.