Short Abstract:

This study offers unique and extensive insight into participatory policy planning efforts for socio-ecological sustainability and development in the era of socio-ecological transformation and climate crises. The integration of stakeholder knowledge and the consideration of sustainable practices propose a set of policy documents for future development in the form of a bottom-up strategy.

Long Abstract:

Purpose and Study Sites:

This study provides an innovative and comprehensive insights to suggest participatory policy planning efforts for socio-ecological sustainability and development in the era of socio-ecological transformation to climate crisis. The initiative aims to conduct deep studies on the socio-ecological pressures, vulnerability, existing socio-ecologic infrastructure, and traditional knowledge in relation to climate change, while (re)evaluating traditional ideas of sustainability by focusing on the delicate interplay between socio-ecological dynamics and climate change. The research project takes a multidisciplinary approach, combining ecological assessments, socioeconomic analysis, and community engagement, and is based on a case study of a coastal community in India (particularly traditional marine fishermen in the Bengal coastline region).

Data and Methods:

In this case, a hybrid methodology was used, which included interdisciplinary data collection techniques such as household sampling (N = 330), focused group discussions cum participatory workshops (N = 30), participatory GIS, and drawing on relevant secondary sources like CRU-based High-resolution gridded climate data, various scientific reports, previous policy reports, and others. In this regard, this study first identifies the socio-ecological pressures associated with climate change through the analysis of various data and geospatial mapping. In addition, using the IPCC vulnerability framework, this study developed a 'socio-ecological vulnerability model' to map climate-induced socio-ecological vulnerability in coastal society. As well as, investigates the socio-ecological transition in society using vulnerability analysis, mapping, acquired existing socio-ecologic infrastructure potential, conventional technical knowledge integration, and their capabilities. Following that, this research narrows traditional notions of sustainability for the climatic problem and socio-ecological change in the future Earth to socio-ecological spatial thinking. 'The thought of sustainable ways' was established and applied in such scenario. Finally, this study proposes a set of policy documents for socio-ecological sustainability and development in a 'bottom-up strategy' after reviewing prior policy attempts, compiling overall evaluated outcomes, and stakeholder participatory knowledge integration and their potential.

Results and Conclusions:

This study revealed the extent and patterns of coastal socio-ecological vulnerability and transformation in India's coastal Bengal, which is growing by the day due to the influence of climatic extreme events. Locals faced a number of socio-ecological challenges (such as the climate gap, seasonal climate migration, and water governance mismanagement, among others) that increased spatial inequality, injustice, and a low level of satisfaction in their daily lives, livelihoods, and social capital, all of which jeopardized their fundamental human rights. In light of these challenges, the study proposes fresh insights in critical thinking combined with strategic policy planning. It places a special emphasis on spatial considerations in sustainability and advocates for the integration of local stakeholders' knowledge and capabilities. This approach prompts a reassessment of socio-ecological sustainability in the face of both current and future climate crises. The study specifically focuses on socio-ecological development, urging a (re)evaluation within this context.

Keywords: Climate crisis and vulnerability; Coastal fishermen society; Stakeholders’ knowledge and capabilities; Policy Planning and sustainability; Participatory approaches; Human rights and climate justice