Browsing by Person "Jacobs, Peter"

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Advancing a transformative human development approach to climate resilience through local innovation in South Africa
(Taylor and Francis Group, 2023-02-04) Nyamwanza, Admire; Jacobs, Peter; Nyezi, Karabo
Climate change continues to exacerbate social and economic development challenges in local communities the world over. This paper advances a human development approach to climate resilience innovations, showing how local innovation initiatives can be conduits for increased equity, agency, efficiency and sustainability vis-à-vis effective responses to climate impacts. Based on a scoping review of literature (journal articles, books, theses, occasional papers etc.), and through a discussion of four case studies focused on technological and institutional innovations in selected rural South African communities, a major finding is that local innovation initiatives vis-à-vis livelihoods are laden with opportunities for improved social, economic and ecological well-being. Appreciating and supporting these local innovations will open up viable and transformative pathways towards effectively responding to the impacts of climate change and variability. The paper contributes to an interdisciplinary integration of innovation and climate change research by exploring climate resilience through a transformative human development lens.
Linking Climate Change Adaptation Strategies and Nutrition Outcomes: A Conceptual Framework
(SAGE Publications, 2022-02-24) Macheka, Lesley; Mudiwa, Tatenda; Chopera, Prosper; Nyamwanza, Admire; Jacobs, Peter
Background: The relationship between climate adaptation strategies and nutrition security is poorly understood and often unclear. Although several adaptation strategies have been implemented to mitigate the impact of climate change, there is still a lack of conclusive evidence or studies on the interrelationships between adopted climate change adaptation strategies and nutrition outcomes. Objective: This study aimed to develop a conceptual framework that links climate change, adaptation strategies and nutrition and to show the indicators that can be used to assess the impact of climate adaptation strategies on nutrition. Methodology: The proposed conceptual framework was developed through a literature review. Results: A generic conceptual framework that could be used to assess the impact of adopted climate change adaptation strategies on nutrition outcomes was developed. The framework consists of 5 key elements: agro-food system, context characteristics, adaptation strategies, climatic shocks and stress, and system output. The principles used in designing the conceptual framework include systems approach, contingency theory, and system output. Conclusion: The developed framework offers a channel to evaluate adopted climate change adaptation strategies and their impact on nutrition outcomes. Such a conceptual framework can also be used in selecting and identifying more suitable climate adaptation strategies given specific contextual environments.
Women informal food traders during COVID-19: A South African case study
(Taylor & Francis Group, 2022-07-01) Sinyolo, Sikhulumile; Jacobs, Peter; Nyamwanza, Admire; Maila, Matume
Varied roles of informal food traders, ranging from localised distribution of foods to provision of jobs, became more accentuated in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic in South Africa. While women might be the majority of informal food traders, they are more likely than men to suffer a heavier burden of the adverse outcomes, due to structural, social, institutional and administrative biases. This article draws from a survey of 840 informal food traders in South Africa to investigate the extent to which the impacts of COVID-19, and the government assistance measures, were gendered. Adopting a gendered lens and analysing the data using descriptive statistics, the findings show that the informal food traders experienced significant disruptions, which led to business closures, fewer customers, reduced supplies, and increased operating costs. Further, the study found that the informal enterprises operated by women experienced higher impacts than those owned by men. The analysis also shows that while access to COVID-19-related assistance from either state or non-state actors was generally limited, women had the least access to it. The findings of the study indicate that women experienced the worst economic effects of the pandemic, yet received the least assistance. This highlights the need to improve the gender sensitivity of interventions. The role of informal food traders and women in the country’s agri-food system needs to be acknowledged and harnessed. It is crucial that an updated information management system be established, that is not only inclusive of informal food traders, but that specific focus should be exerted in identifying those enterprises operated by marginalised actors, such as women.