Application Of Community Climate Change Adaptation Assessment Tools For Climate Adaptation Planning In Yala Wetlands Complex, Lake Victoria Basin, Kenya
Scientific Research Publishing
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Abstract: This study explores participatory climate adaptation planning within the ecologically critical Yala Wetlands. Researchers implemented the Community Climate Change Adaptation Assessment (C3A2) toolkit to identify localized climate hazards, vulnerabilities, and priority actions at both community and county levels. Eight tools were applied?including risk mapping, community calendars, storytelling, and resilience scoring?across 12 villages and through county-level forums. Key hazards identified were recurrent droughts and flooding, accounting for 45% and 39% of impacts respectively. Vulnerable groups such as women, children, fisherfolk, and smallholder farmers were most affected. The study facilitated the formulation of Community-Based Adaptation Action Plans (CBAPs), focusing on agroforestry, eco-tourism, flood-resilient housing, and climate-smart agriculture. The paper underscores the power of participatory decision-making and locally driven solutions. It proposes the C3A2 method as a scalable approach for other wetland and coastal ecosystems grappling with climate stress. It also presents practical pathways for stakeholder integration and donor-supported programming.