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Indicators of Climate Resilience in WASH: A Global Systematic Mapping and Gap Analysis

Ljungberg, Elin LU (2026) SIMZ31 20261
Master of Science in Development Studies
Abstract
This thesis investigates the global landscape of indicators used to measure
climate resilience within Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) services
through a systematic mapping and gap analysis. As climate change increasingly
threatens water security and public health, there is an urgent need for
theoretically grounded monitoring frameworks to evaluate systemic resilience
across diverse contexts. This thesis develops a three-dimensional analytical
framework that synthesizes Sen’s capability approach, climate vulnerability
theory, and institutional theory to assess indicators across socioeconomic,
environmental, and institutional dimensions.
The methodology involved a systematic review of 104 indicators collected from
16 academic... (More)
This thesis investigates the global landscape of indicators used to measure
climate resilience within Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) services
through a systematic mapping and gap analysis. As climate change increasingly
threatens water security and public health, there is an urgent need for
theoretically grounded monitoring frameworks to evaluate systemic resilience
across diverse contexts. This thesis develops a three-dimensional analytical
framework that synthesizes Sen’s capability approach, climate vulnerability
theory, and institutional theory to assess indicators across socioeconomic,
environmental, and institutional dimensions.
The methodology involved a systematic review of 104 indicators collected from
16 academic and policy sources published between 2017 and 2025. The results
show a significant imbalance in the current indicator landscape: the
environmental dimension has the highest representation, while the institutional
dimension has the lowest representation. Although the WASH sector
demonstrates a significant commitment to monitoring equity, inclusion, and
strategic alignment, significant shortcomings were identified in accountability
mechanisms, economic viability, and community agency.
The thesis concludes that current monitoring practices often prioritize technical
“means” and formal “rules-on-paper” over the functional “rules-in-use” and
adaptive capacity required to sustain WASH services during climate stress and
shocks. To achieve the long-term targets of SDG 6, the thesis argues for a
fundamental shift from static status assessments toward monitoring the adaptive
efficiency of institutions and the economic resilience of users. These findings
provide a theoretically grounded roadmap for developing more balanced,
regionally adaptable monitoring frameworks that capture the dynamic nature of
climate resilience. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
Ljungberg, Elin LU
supervisor
organization
course
SIMZ31 20261
year
type
H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
subject
keywords
Climate-resilient WASH, Systematic mapping, Gap analysis, Capability Approach, Climate Vulnerability Theory, Institutional Theory, Indicators, SDG 6.
language
English
id
9235117
date added to LUP
2026-07-24 09:26:56
date last changed
2026-07-24 09:26:56
@misc{9235117,
  abstract     = {{This thesis investigates the global landscape of indicators used to measure
climate resilience within Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) services
through a systematic mapping and gap analysis. As climate change increasingly
threatens water security and public health, there is an urgent need for
theoretically grounded monitoring frameworks to evaluate systemic resilience
across diverse contexts. This thesis develops a three-dimensional analytical
framework that synthesizes Sen’s capability approach, climate vulnerability
theory, and institutional theory to assess indicators across socioeconomic,
environmental, and institutional dimensions.
The methodology involved a systematic review of 104 indicators collected from
16 academic and policy sources published between 2017 and 2025. The results
show a significant imbalance in the current indicator landscape: the
environmental dimension has the highest representation, while the institutional
dimension has the lowest representation. Although the WASH sector
demonstrates a significant commitment to monitoring equity, inclusion, and
strategic alignment, significant shortcomings were identified in accountability
mechanisms, economic viability, and community agency.
The thesis concludes that current monitoring practices often prioritize technical
“means” and formal “rules-on-paper” over the functional “rules-in-use” and
adaptive capacity required to sustain WASH services during climate stress and
shocks. To achieve the long-term targets of SDG 6, the thesis argues for a
fundamental shift from static status assessments toward monitoring the adaptive
efficiency of institutions and the economic resilience of users. These findings
provide a theoretically grounded roadmap for developing more balanced,
regionally adaptable monitoring frameworks that capture the dynamic nature of
climate resilience.}},
  author       = {{Ljungberg, Elin}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  title        = {{Indicators of Climate Resilience in WASH: A Global Systematic Mapping and Gap Analysis}},
  year         = {{2026}},
}