Culturally aware climate adaptation strategies: learning from the experiences of first-generation migrant women in Australia

Purpose This study aims to understand the experiences of first-generation migrant women in Australia, to help inform culturally aware climate adaptation strategies. Design/methodology/approach The study took a deductive qualitative approach following a focus group with eight first-generation migrant women from non-Western backgrounds currently living in the Australian capital territory (ACT), Australia (ages 18–60, from Africa, Asia, South America and the Pacific). Findings Participants felt that being migrants shaped their knowledge and perception of climate change events and adaptation, and gender-specific, cultural and intergenerational factors influenced their responses to both acute and chronic climate change impacts. The authors conclude that first-generation migrant women in the ACT possess unique experiences that can inform culturally aware climate change adaptation strategies. Originality/value Migrants have valuable insight through their lived experience of navigating the impacts of climate change across multiple contexts. Women serve as a cornerstone for strong communities and often bear the responsibility of seeing to the health and comfort of their households. To the best of the +authors’ knowledge, this is the first qualitative exploration of migrant women’s voices in the ACT to inform climate change adaptation strategies.