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Apr 1, 2019 - Mar 31, 2020

Uncertainty shocks and risky choices in the context of climate change

Leader

Taking on risky challenges is part of the way that households in developing economies fight their way out of poverty. In many regions, risks are changing as the impacts of climate change become stronger. This project will study how households perceive risks and uncertainties and adapt to them in rural parts of the Mekong Delta region of southern Viet Nam, where the effects of climate change are particularly prominent. Recent large floods and droughts have exposed families to heightened uncertainties. Many of the possible responses to these risks, such as changing livelihood or relocation are themselves risky. The hypothesis to be tested is that variation in behavioural factors (such as risk attitudes, attitudes to ambiguity and discount factors) can explain part of the reasons why families do not respond to climate change risks. To gather the necessary data, a survey and experiment will be conducted with approximately 170 villagers in a province (possibly Long An) of Southern Vietnam.