Assessing the influence of government policies in mitigating climate change effects on tourism and rural livelihoods in Zambia’s Chiawa Chiefdom in lower Zambezi

Résumé

This study examined the influence of government policies in mitigating the effects of climate change on tourism and rural livelihoods in Chiawa Chiefdom, Lower Zambezi, Zambia. A qualitative research design was employed with 30 semi-structured interviews with tourism operators, key tourism stakeholders, and local community members who are directly affected by climate variability and conservation policies from the five zones commonly known as village action groups (VAGS) which included Chisakila, Kambale, Chitende, Chiyaba and Mugulameno. This study was guided by Climate Vulnerability Theory. Interview data were transcribed verbatim, thematically analyzed, and processed using NVivo software. Study findings reveal that, although Zambia has established climate change and conservation policy frameworks, their effectiveness at the local level is constrained by low awareness, weak implementation, inadequate financial and technical support, and limited institutional coordination. Tourism operators demonstrated moderate knowledge of relevant policies due to regulatory engagement, whereas rural community members exhibited limited understanding and minimal participation in decision-making processes, reducing local ownership and resilience. Practical adaptation support, including climate-resilient infrastructure and risk management measures, was found to be insufficient, with communities often bearing the financial burden. Additionally, conservation policies sometimes created unintended livelihood challenges through restrictions on resource use, lack of compensation for wildlife-related losses, and limited alternative livelihood options. Institutional fragmentation and poor coordination among government agencies, Non-Governmental Organizations [NGOs], tourism operators, and community structures further weakened policy impact. The study concludes that adaptive capacity in Chiawa is constrained more by governance and implementation challenges than by the absence of policies. Strengthening resilience requires integrated, participatory, and well-resourced approaches that balance conservation objectives with community livelihoods, while promoting sustainable tourism development.