The Trends and Drivers of Climate Change Vulnerability in Rural Southern Africa

Understanding the trends and drivers of climate vulnerability is crucial for developing resilience strategies, addressing vulnerabilities and promoting sustainable development in Southern Africa. However, efforts to comprehensively understand these trends and drivers are fragmented, hindering a cohesive regional perspective. Consequently, there needs to be more scientific information to bolster the region’s resilience against climatic fluctuations. This study employs a mixed-methods research design to analyse secondary data and identify trends and factors that contribute to climate vulnerability regionally. A qualitative analysis of 33 scientific papers from Scopus and Science Direct was performed following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) methodology. Quantitative data from the Global Internal Displacement Database (GIDD) was used to assess vulnerability to climate-induced events. Results indicated statistically significant (p < 0.05) rise in vulnerability to climate change, evidenced by the region’s increased exposure to frequent and severe climate-induced disasters, leading to higher displacement rates. Findings also reveal spatial variations in vulnerability, influenced by economic, socio-cultural, political and geographical factors. Given the complex interplay between vulnerability and climate drivers, the study advocates for a collaborative framework involving governments, civil society, corporations and local communities to improve resilience and protect the populations of Southern Africa.