Sustainable livelihoods under Climate Change in India

Climate Change is the defining issue of our time and we are at a defining moment, from shifting weather patterns that threaten food production. The global development community is looking for new solutions to traditional livelihood issues such as economic stagnation, persistent poverty, hunger, malnutrition, and illness, as well as newer challenges like environmental degradation and globalisation. One key approach that has received growing attention is the concept of sustainable livelihood under climate change. Meanwhile, the threat of global climate change poses an unprecedented challenge to humanity. While climate change is important in the long run, it is crucial to recognise that (especially for the developing countries) there are a number of other development issues that affect human welfare more immediately  such as hunger and malnutrition, poverty, health, and pressing local environmental issues. Climate change and sustainable livelihood interact in a circular fashion. Climate change will have an impact on prospects for sustainable livelihood development, and in turn, alternative development paths will certainly affect future climate change. Seen from the development viewpoint, climate change vulnerability, impacts and adaptation are the main elements of concern. From the climate perspective, development pathways also determine emission levels, and they have implications for mitigation strategies as well. We have adopted an integrated approach of climate smart farming and a locally-relevant mix of non-farm livelihoods. This helps attain production resilience and diversification of livelihoods in order that rural households can cope with production and risks. The key aspects cover domain interventions for enhancing livelihoods and productivity in an inclusive, participatory manner as well as initiatives to create and strengthen.