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Human capital, mobility, and climate change adaptation
Structural transformation in the race against climate change

Human capital, mobility, and climate change adaptation

Policy brief Sustainable Growth and Energy

This study examines how a large-scale education expansion programme in India helped rural populations adapt to climate change by increasing schooling, migration, and non-farm work. The programme's enhancement of human capital mitigated climate damages, boosted resilience, and reduced dependency on agriculture for livelihoods.

Authors

Tim Dobermann

Tim Dobermann

Research Director, International Growth Centre
  • Climate change is already reducing agricultural yields and incomes.
  • The least developed regions and households suffer the most from climate shocks.
  • Human capital helps people adapt by moving to better opportunities.
  • A large-scale education expansion programme in India in the 1990s increased schooling, migration, and non-farm work.
  • Greater human capital due to the programme offset climate damages and boosted resilience.

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