| Summary: | Climate change is one of the most complex problems of our time presenting unique challenges for societies. For developing countries such as Ethiopia, it complicates existing challenges of development. The problem is aggravated for Sidama’s smallholder farmers’ who depend on rain-‐fed agriculture to produce coffee for global market and Enset for subsistence. Yet farmers’ understanding and responses to climate change have not been seriously acknowledged nor empirically studied. This doctoral thesis explores perceptions, vulnerability and adaptation to climate change. More specifically it seeks to explore, document and analyse perceptions of climate change, examine vulnerability of farmers and their adaptation strategies as well as the state of mainstreaming climate change adaptation to development policy in Ethiopia. To achieve these aims, the study deploys comparative case study research design to analyse climate change in three agroecological zones. Both qualitative and quantitative research methods are used for data collection and analysis. A modified form of sustainable livelihoods framework is deployed as analytical tool to investigate vulnerability context, livelihood assets, institutions enabling or hindering adaptation. Fieldwork research took place from January 2012 -‐ May 2012 involving a survey with 120 farmers, focus group discussion with 30 farmers, semi-‐structured interviews with 15 farmers and 17 policy makers. Findings reveal increased temperature, high rainfall variability and inter-‐annual and intra-‐seasonal variation. Farmers clearly perceived climate risks based on their experience and knowledge of their local environment. They also took a number of measures to adapt to climate change within their capacity. They need informed public policy and research to help create enabling conditions for sustainable livelihoods and increased resilience.
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