Sustainable development goals, disaster risk management, and indigenous knowledge: a critical assessment of the interlinkages

Abstract

With their livelihoods intricately linked to nature, local/rural communities have always been vulnerable to environmental risks. They have used Indigenous and Local Knowledge (hereafter referred to as IK) garnered over generations to cope with, adapt and respond to natural/environmental hazards. Although Indigenous/Local communities have internalised IK of disaster risk management (DRM), the nexus has not been well established, albeit having the potential to contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This paper argues that IK is an esteemed model of endurance, resilience and resistance in the history of DRM that is invaluable in achieving the SDGs. Joined action between IK and DRM would have more significant and mutually reinforcing development impacts. Underpinned by the double/triple nexus conceptual framework, this paper utilises a qualitative, exploratory, and analytical methodological approach to argue for integrating IK, DRM and the SDGs. Insights from the findings reveal that stakeholder application of the interlinkages would expedite achieving more significant sustainable development outcomes in a complementary, supportive way. The connections will enhance knowledge and understanding of approaches that combine multiple development themes and sectors and advance the literature on nexus approaches, particularly in DRM and sustainable development. Developing and resource-constrained countries with minimal application of scientific knowledge in their DRM frameworks will benefit most from the interlinkages.