Assessing the impact of circular economy initiatives on climate change adaptation in agricultural practices among refugees, case study of Imvepi settlement, Terego district.

Abstract

This study investigates the impact of Circular Economy Initiatives (CEI) on Climate Change Adaptation (CCA) in agricultural practices among refugees in Imvepi Settlement, Terego District, Uganda. Refugee populations are particularly vulnerable to climate shocks due to limited resources, poor infrastructure, and reliance on rain-fed agriculture. Circular economy principles, emphasizing resource efficiency, waste reduction, and closed-loop production, offer promising approaches to enhance sustainability and adaptation in such challenging contexts. The research was guided by three main objectives: (1) to establish the types and prevalence of circular economy initiatives within Imvepi Settlement; (2) to assess the influence of CEI on the adoption of CCA strategies among refugee farmers; and (3) to examine how factors such as agricultural knowledge, climate risks perception, and access to climate information mediate these relationships. A mixed-methods approach was employed, combining quantitative surveys (n=189), in-depth interviews with key informants (n=5), and three focus group discussions. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Chi-Square tests, correlation and regression. Findings revealed a statistically significant positive relationship between CEI adoption and CCA strategies (Spearman’s rho = 0.256, p < 0.01), indicating that greater participation in circular economy practices is associated with enhanced adaptation responses. Key CEI practices included waste recycling, reuse of materials in farming and business, composting, fuel-efficient stoves, water conservation, and involvement in community-led recycling activities. However, knowledge of CEI remains low, and many practices are applied “by default” rather than through deliberate design. Mediation analysis demonstrated that climate risks perception plays a significant intermediary role between CEI and CCA, amplifying the adoption of adaptive strategies when risk awareness is high. Socio-economic factors such as income source and community group membership influenced adaptation behavior, though education level and marital status did not show significant effects. Challenges to implementing CEI included financial constraints, low awareness, and inadequate infrastructure; nevertheless, there were notable opportunities in community willingness and the availability of recyclable materials. Based on the findings, the study concludes that circular economy initiatives contribute positively to climate change adaptation in refugee settlements, primarily when integrated with risk awareness and community participation. The study recommends expanding and formalizing CEI through targeted awareness campaigns, capacity building, community planning, and supportive policy frameworks. It calls for the design of interventions that operationalize circular economy principles and climate adaptation simultaneously, as well as further research into context-specific barriers and enablers for sustainability in humanitarian settings.