Vertical integration for climate change adaptation in the water sector:lessons from decentralisation in Africa and India

Ziervogel, Gina, Satyal, Poshendra, Basu, Ritwika, Mensah, Adelina, Singh, Chandni, Hegga, Salma and Zulfawu Abu, Thelma (2019) Vertical integration for climate change adaptation in the water sector:lessons from decentralisation in Africa and India. Regional Environmental Change, 19 (8). 2729–2743. ISSN 1436-3798

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Abstract

Vertical integration, which creates strategic linkages between national and sub-national levels, is being promoted as important for climate change adaptation. Decentralisation, which transfers authority and responsibility to lower levels of organisation, serves a similar purpose and has been in place for a number of decades. Based on four case studies in semi-arid regions in Africa and India, this paper argues that vertical integration for climate change adaptation should reflect on lessons from decentralisation related to governing natural resources, particularly in the water sector. The paper focuses on participation and flexibility, two central components of climate change adaptation, and considers how decentralisation has enhanced or undermined these. The findings suggest that vertical integration for adaptation will be strengthened if a number of lessons are considered, namely (i) actively seek equitable representation from marginal and diverse local groups drawing on both formal and informal participation structures, (ii) assess and address capacity deficits that undermine flexibility and adaptive responses, especially within lower levels of government, and (iii) use hybrid modes of governance that include government, intermediaries and diverse local actors through both formal and informal institutions to improve bottom-up engagement.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	decentralisation,water governance,vertical integration,participation,flexibility,climate change adaptation,sdg 13 - climate action ,/dk/atira/pure/sustainabledevelopmentgoals/climate_action
UEA Research Groups:	Faculty of Social Sciences > Research Groups > Climate Change Faculty of Social Sciences > Research Groups > Global Environmental Justice
Depositing User:	LivePure Connector
Date Deposited:	27 Nov 2019 02:02
Last Modified:	14 May 2023 00:12
URI:	https://ueaeprints.uea.ac.uk/id/eprint/73142
DOI:	10.1007/s10113-019-01571-y

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