Climate change, climate variability and drought: impacts on pastoral livelihoods in Borana zone, Southern Ethiopia

Purpose The findings and recommendations of this study are important for policymakers, advocates and development practitioners who require the information for reassessment, evaluation and integration into their development and humanitarian programs and operational strategies. Most importantly, this study aims to provide a useful evaluation of the severity of climate change impacts and offers insight on effective, contextualized adaptation strategies. Design/methodology/approach This study was conducted to evaluate climate change, climate variability and drought with their impacts on pastoral livelihoods in Borana. A total of 280 pastoralist households were sampled using multistage sampling techniques. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics and a chi-square test was employed to assess the significance of climate change impacts on pastoral livelihoods between the Dirree and Golboo production systems. Mann–Kendall and Sen’s slope tests were used to determine climate trends and magnitudes of change, respectively. Rainfall variability was assessed using the coefficient of variation and standardized precipitation index. Findings The results revealed significant inter-annual rainfall variability, with coefficients of variation of 18.5% in Dubuluk (medium variability) and 31.2% in Dilloo (high variability). Negative standardized precipitation index indicated an increased frequency of drought, with 50% and 56.25% of years experiencing negative indices in Dubuluk and Dilloo respectively. Eight drought events (three severe, five moderate) were identified, 1991, 1999 and 2022 being extreme drought years. These droughts resulted in livestock losses, reduced income, water scarcity, food shortages, weakened social support systems, human migration and increased suicide rates. Originality/value The study investigated impacts of drought due to climate change and variability on pastoralist livelihood within the pastoralist production systems and highlighted local and context specific adaptation and coping strategies in the area.