Adaptive Capacity and Climate Change Resilience of Coconut Farmers: A Philippines Case Study

Purpose: This qualitative study aims to examine the impacts of climate change on the livelihoods and production systems of coconut farmers, to analyze adaptation practices and strategies through the lens of sustainability and the Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) framework, and to assess farmers’ levels of resilience and adaptive capacity to climate change within the context of the Philippines. Research design, data and methodology: The study employs a qualitative research design, with data collected through semi-structured, in-depth interviews with 43 purposively selected coconut farmers. The data were analyzed using content analysis and thematic synthesis in order to capture farmers’ lived experiences, perceptions, and grassroots-level adaptation practices. Results: The findings indicate that the majority of farmers clearly perceive changes in climatic conditions, particularly increased variability in rainfall, drought, and the frequency of extreme weather events. These changes have had direct impacts on coconut yields, income stability, and household economic security. In terms of adaptation, farmers have adopted a range of sustainable agricultural practices, including efficient water management, the use of organic fertilizers and soil amendments to restore soil quality, and crop diversification to spread production and income risks. These practices contribute to enhancing the resilience of farming systems and demonstrate alignment with the environmental and social dimensions of the ESG framework. Conclusions: However, the study also reveals that farmers’ adaptive capacity remains constrained by structural factors, notably limited access to financial resources, inadequate access to technology and reliable climate information, and insufficiently coordinated policy support. These constraints highlight significant gaps in the governance dimension of the ESG framework. In conclusion, the study underscores that strengthening climate resilience among coconut farmers requires the integration of grassroots-level adaptation practices with systematic policy support and governance mechanisms, thereby elevating adaptation efforts from the individual level toward long-term sustainability.