Assessing the Relationship between Poverty and Climate Change Vulnerability in Flood-Prone Rural Communities of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan

Abstract

Human activities and emissions on earth is an undeniable cause of climate change and global warming. In turn, climate change is expected to increase the intensity, frequencies, and impacts of extreme weather events. In the last decade, climate change is believed to be the cause of floods by affecting the monsoon patterns in Pakistan. The impacts of climate change are more severe in developing countries: especially the poor segment of the population. The poor portion of the population is more vulnerable to climate change impacts due to their low capacities, and high exposure and sensitivity. The central objective of this study is to assess the relationship between multidimensional poverty and climate change vulnerability. The study is conducted in the rural areas of district Nowshera and Charsadda, in the province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The structure questionnaire survey was conducted from 450 households on their poverty status and level of climate change vulnerability. Poverty and climate change vulnerability are assessed using composite indices. The multidimensional poverty index developed by United Nations Development Programme and Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative is used to determine the poverty whereas Livelihood vulnerability index is employed to calculate the level of climate change vulnerability. The findings show that half of the population is in multidimensional poverty. The climate change vulnerability results depict that sensitivity and adaptive of the population are low whereas the exposure is moderate. Pearson’s correlation coefficient is found to be positive and significant between poverty and climate change vulnerability. Based on findings, adaptation measures for the local setting are recommended for local climate change policy. Key Words: Climate Change, Vulnerability, Multidimensional Poverty, Adaptation