Comprehensive Capitals Approach to Climate Change Adaptation Practices: The Case of Kapilvastu District of Nepal

Climate change presents significant and complex challenges to rural livelihoods in developing countries. This research comprehensively analyses the factors influencing climate change adaptation practices among rural households in Yashodhara Rural Municipality of Nepal using a livelihood capitals framework. The research employed a mixed-methods approach combining qualitative exploration through focus group discussions and a quantitative household survey of 526 respondents. Key findings include 76% of households have adopted climate change adaptation practices, with most implementing 2–3 complementary strategies. The most prevalent practices were resilient crop varieties (66%), soil health improvement (37%), and year-round irrigation (37%). The factors influencing adaptation can be conceptualized within five capitals: human (education and indigenous knowledge), social (group membership and access to information), natural (land size), financial (income levels), and physical (irrigation systems). This research provides a comprehensive view of interconnected adaptation practices within a specific local context, revealing how households strategically combine different forms of capital to build resilience.