Project Snapshot:
In the decades to come, India's agricultural sector is expected to be significantly impacted by the concurrent processes of climate change and globalization. Climate change could lead to sea level rise, increased weather variability, more drought and the spread of infectious diseases. At the same time, market changes brought about by globalization may affect the price farmers receive for their products. Already, market restrictions such as tariffs and price controls are being reduced under World Trade Organization agreements, and policies related to fertilizer subsidies and energy are changing. Little analysis has been undertaken that assesses how these two global processes will collectively alter India's social, environmental and economic well-being.
IISD initiated a project to examine this issue in partnership with The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) based in New Delhi, India, and the Centre for International Climate and Environmental Research - Oslo (CICERO) based in Oslo, Norway. The "Vulnerability of Indian Agriculture to Climate Change and Globalization" project sought to provide decision-makers with policy recommendations regarding how to address adaptation needs in regions of India dually vulnerable to climate change and globalization. To provide this information, the project used a method called "double exposure" that used of geographical information systems (GIS) to identify regions doubly vulnerable to change.
The project undertook research at the macro-scale as well as the village level. Its key components were:
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Creating vulnerability profiles for India by using GIS to map exposure to climate change and agricultural trade liberalization stresses at the district level. The vulnerability mapping revealed regions of high double exposure.
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Undertaking village-level case studies in five regions identified as doubly exposed to identify and clarify the social and economic implications of double exposure for inland and coastal agricultural areas. The case studies also identified critical policy drivers shaping local adaptation responses.
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Identification of national and international public policy measures that could support adaptation responses in regions of India vulnerable to climate change and globalization.
A fuller description of this project is provided at the project's Web site hosted by TERI.
Funding for this project was provided by the Canadian International Development Agency and the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. A further contribution was provided through IISD's Young Canadian Leaders for a Sustainable Future program and its funders.
For more information about this project, please contact Stephan Barg.
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