The climate change–water–energy nexus and its impacts on urban livelihoods in Zimbabwe
Date
2021
Authors
Reid, Memory
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Abstract
Climate change is predicted to greatly impact Southern African countries, largely
due to variability in temperature and precipitation. These variations affect urban
population livelihoods as well as water and energy security due to a heavy
reliance on hydropower for energy. Using the Kariba sub-basin of the Zambezi
River Basin, this study examines the possible impacts of hydroclimatic variations
on future water and energy security in Zimbabwe. Over 50 years of hydroclimatic
and hydropower output data was combined with data from surveys of informal
businesses reliant on electricity to generate information on the vulnerability of
urban livelihoods to energy insecurity in Zimbabwe. Interviews with key
informants were used to understand the roles of various government institutions
in climate change mitigation, water resource management, energy and the
informal sector. Results of hydroclimatic patterns showed a general warming and
drying trend for the Kariba sub-basin, variability in Zambezi River runoff and
reduced hydropower output over time. Hydroclimatic variables impacted
hydropower generation, confirming a climate change-water-energy nexus.
Household survey data revealed home-based informal businesses across all
socio-economic backgrounds, heavily reliant on an unstable electricity supply.
Poor households were disproportionately affected by the unstable electricity
supply because they could not afford alternative energy sources to continue
business during power cuts. This highlighted the vulnerability of poor urban
populations and their diminished capacity to adapt to climate change induced
stresses. It was established that while national governmental bodies provided
overall leadership on climate change issues, they also created an enabling
environment for Small and Medium Enterprises through enacting laws and
legislation. Climate trends and energy insecurity add to these complexities as
marginalised groups fail to adapt to the impacts of energy insecurity on their
livelihoods. This study highlighted the importance of exploring and cultivating a
range of energy options to sufficiently mitigate against the impacts of climate
change on access to energy and on urban livelihoods. Energy mixes that do not
depend only on climate sensitive technology like hydropower should be
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considered. Furthermore, governments need to play a direct, gender-specific role
in an informal sector dominated by women with limited bargaining power for the
growth of their businesses.
Description
A thesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy to the Faculty of Science, School of Geography, Archaeology and Environmental Studies, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2021