Targeting attention on local vulnerabilities using an integrated index approach: the example of the climate vulnerability index

It is known that climate impacts can have significant effects on the environment, societies and economies. For human populations, climate change impacts can be devastating, giving rise to economic disruption and mass migration as agricultural systems fail, either through drought or floods. Such events impact significantly, not only where they happen, but also in the neighbouring areas. Vulnerability to the impacts of climate change needs to be assessed, so that adaptation strategies can be developed and populations can be protected. In this paper, we address the issue of vulnerability assessment through the use of an indicator approach, the climate vulnerability index (CVI). We show how this can overcome some of the difficulties of incommensurability associated with the combination of different types of data, and how the approach can be applied at a variety of scales. Through the development of nested index values, more reliable and robust coverage of large areas can be achieved, and we provide an indication of how this could be done. While further work is required to improve the methodology through wider application and component refinement, it seems likely that this approach will have useful application in the assessment of climate vulnerability. Through its application at sub-national and community scales, the CVI can help to identify those human populations most at risk from climate change impacts, and as a result, resources can be targeted towards those most in need.

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Workshop 3 (synthesis): climate variability, water systems and management options

Water Science & Technology ◽

10.2166/wst.2004.0435 ◽

2004 ◽

Vol 49 (7) ◽

pp. 129-132

Author(s):

W. Cosgrove ◽

R. Connor ◽

J. Kuylenstierna

Keyword(s):

Climate Variability ◽

Integrated Water Resources Management ◽

Vulnerability Index ◽

Climate Impacts ◽

Management Options ◽

Resources Management ◽

Climate Vulnerability ◽

Multi Stakeholder ◽

Climate Vulnerability Index ◽

Impacts Of Climate Change

Addressing climate variability now will better prepare us for future impacts of climate change. Sustained, multi-stakeholder dialogue at local through national levels is an approach that will reach the widest audience, helped by tools that illustrate vulnerability such as the Climate Vulnerability Index. Integrated water resources management deals with managing for variability and change and is therefore highly appropriate for dealing with climate impacts.

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Assessment of Vulnerability of Rice farmers to Climate Variability in Kogi State, North Central Nigeria: A Vulnerability Composite Index Approach

BADEGGI JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH AND ENVIRONMENT ◽

10.35849/bjare202003009 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 3 (2) ◽

pp. 37-45

Author(s):

B. A. Ocheni ◽

M. A. Ndanitsa ◽

K. M. Baba ◽

M. A. Ojo

Keyword(s):

Climate Change ◽

Composite Index ◽

Climate Change Impacts ◽

Vulnerability Index ◽

Sensitivity Index ◽

Secondary Sources ◽

Rice Farmers ◽

Vulnerability Assessments ◽

Index Approach ◽

High Degree

Vulnerability assessments to climate change are a possible criterion for adaptation and have a long history on multidisciplinary research. Identification and assessing the degree of vulnerability as a result of climate change is an essential pre-requisite for reducing climate change impacts. The study focuses on vulnerability of rice farmers to climate change in Kogi State, Nigeria. Data for the study were obtained from primary and secondary sources with the aid of structured questionnaire administered to 123 rice farmers from across the four agricultural zones in the State. A total of 15 environmental and socio-economic indicators were identified and analyzed to measure vulnerability status in the agricultural zones. Composite Climate Change Vulnerability Index computed from the hazards, sensitivity and adaptive capacity components revealed that all the rice farmers’ were vulnerable to climate change but vary in the degrees of vulnerability. Scores of Exposure-Sensitivity Index (ESI) suggest that rice farmers in Owolikpa and Igalaogba were most prone and susceptible to climate change whereas, Baganna, Ikande, Odoepe, and Iluke were least exposed and sensitive to climate change. Kpancehe, Kakanda, Girinya, Eggan,and Aiyetoro were categorized under very high to high degree of vulnerability while Iya, Baganna and Echa were rated low vulnerable to climate change. These prioritized areas, based on rank and degree of vulnerability, should be given immediate consideration, and measures should be taken by internalizing region specific needs to address the growing challenge of climate change.

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Climate vulnerability index - measure of climate change vulnerability to communities: a case of rural Lower Himalaya, India

Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies for Global Change ◽

10.1007/s11027-011-9338-2 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 17 (5) ◽

pp. 487-506 ◽

Cited By ~ 92

Author(s):

Rajiv Pandey ◽

ShashidharKumar Jha

Keyword(s):

Climate Change ◽

Vulnerability Index ◽

Climate Change Vulnerability ◽

Climate Vulnerability ◽

Climate Vulnerability Index ◽

Index Measure

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Amplified Impact of Climate Change on Fine-Sediment Delivery to a Subsiding Coast, Humboldt Bay, California

Estuaries and Coasts ◽

10.1007/s12237-021-00938-x ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Jennifer A. Curtis ◽

Lorraine E. Flint ◽

Michelle A. Stern ◽

Jack Lewis ◽

Randy D. Klein

Keyword(s):

Climate Change ◽

Climate Change Impacts ◽

Baseline Period ◽

Climate Impacts ◽

Sediment Supply ◽

Balance Model ◽

Climate Projections ◽

Sediment Delivery ◽

Beneficial Reuse ◽

Coastal Margin

AbstractIn Humboldt Bay, tectonic subsidence exacerbates sea-level rise (SLR). To build surface elevations and to keep pace with SLR, the sediment demand created by subsidence and SLR must be balanced by an adequate sediment supply. This study used an ensemble of plausible future scenarios to predict potential climate change impacts on suspended-sediment discharge (Qss) from fluvial sources. Streamflow was simulated using a deterministic water-balance model, and Qss was computed using statistical sediment-transport models. Changes relative to a baseline period (1981–2010) were used to assess climate impacts. For local basins that discharge directly to the bay, the ensemble means projected increases in Qss of 27% for the mid-century (2040–2069) and 58% for the end-of-century (2070–2099). For the Eel River, a regional sediment source that discharges sediment-laden plumes to the coastal margin, the ensemble means projected increases in Qss of 53% for the mid-century and 99% for the end-of-century. Climate projections of increased precipitation and streamflow produced amplified increases in the regional sediment supply that may partially or wholly mitigate sediment demand caused by the combined effects of subsidence and SLR. This finding has important implications for coastal resiliency. Coastal regions with an increasing sediment supply may be more resilient to SLR. In a broader context, an increasing sediment supply from fluvial sources has global relevance for communities threatened by SLR that are increasingly building resiliency to SLR using sediment-based solutions that include regional sediment management, beneficial reuse strategies, and marsh restoration.

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Hunger climate vulnerability index (HCVI) and macroeconomic indicators downstream of Bengawan Solo Watershed

IOP Conference Series Earth and Environmental Science ◽

10.1088/1755-1315/824/1/012113 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 824 (1) ◽

pp. 012113

Author(s):

Suryanto ◽

R Utomowati ◽

E Gravitiani ◽

A C T Rosalia

Keyword(s):

Vulnerability Index ◽

Macroeconomic Indicators ◽

Climate Vulnerability ◽

Climate Vulnerability Index

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An Assessment of Vulnerability of Fishers’ Livelihood to Climate Change in Coastal Odisha

Current World Environment ◽

10.12944/cwe.14.1.08 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 14 (1) ◽

pp. 60-67 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Sambit Priyadarshi ◽

S. N. Ojha ◽

Arpita Sharma

Keyword(s):

Climate Change ◽

Adaptive Capacity ◽

East Coast ◽

Vulnerability Index ◽

The State ◽

Context Specificity ◽

East Coast Of India ◽

Index Approach ◽

Vulnerability Score

A study was conducted in Odisha, a state on the east coast of India, with the objective of assessing the vulnerability of fishers’ livelihood to climate change. The state was chosen for study since it is considered as one of the most vulnerable states due to climate change. A total of 120 fishers were interviewed from two districts, Balasore and Ganjam, to assess their livelihood vulnerability by considering their exposure, sensitivity and adaptive capacity to climate change. A composite livelihood vulnerability index by suggesting that fishers are vulnerable to climate change. For fishers of + 0.03 and for Ganjam it was 0.5 minima 0, and maxima 1 was used for the purpose. Baleswar the score was 0.56 0.04, s. The aggregated vulnerability score was found to be 0.54+The composite livelihood vulnerability index approach calculates vulnerability by aggregating data for a set of indicators for the components of vulnerability which include exposure, sensitivity, and adaptive capacity + 0.04. Vulnerability score was relatively higher in Baleswar due to higher scores on the exposure and sensitivity parameters overshadowing the higher adaptive capacity. The study shows evidence that marine fishers of Odisha are vulnerable to climate change. Also, it throws light on the location and context specificity of livelihood vulnerability.

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Risks and opportunities for a Swiss hydropower company in a changing climate

10.5194/hess-2019-475 ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

Kirsti Hakala ◽

Nans Addor ◽

Thibault Gobbe ◽

Johann Ruffieux ◽

Jan Seibert

Keyword(s):

Climate Change ◽

Water Resources ◽

Energy Demand ◽

Climate Change Impacts ◽

Climate Impacts ◽

Water Volume ◽

Volume Distribution ◽

Impact Studies ◽

Changing Climate ◽

Low Flows

Abstract. Anticipating and adapting to climate change impacts on water resources requires a detailed understanding of future hydroclimatic changes and of stakeholders' vulnerability to these changes. However, climate change impact studies are often conducted at a spatial scale that is too coarse to capture the specificity of individual catchments, and more importantly, the changes they focus on are not necessarily the changes most critical to stakeholders. While recent studies have combined hydrological and electricity market modeling, they tend to aggregate all climate impacts by focusing solely on reservoir profitability, and thereby provide limited insights into climate change adaptation. Here, we collaborated with Groupe E, a hydropower company operating several reservoirs in the Swiss pre-Alps and worked with them to produce hydroclimatic projections tailored to support their upcoming water concession negotiations. We started by identifying the vulnerabilities of their activities to climate change and then together chose streamflow and energy indices to characterize the associated risks. We provided Groupe E with figures showing the projected climate change impacts, which were refined over several meetings. The selected indices enabled us to simultaneously assess a variety of impacts induced by changes on i) the seasonal water volume distribution, ii) low flows, iii) high flows, and iv) energy demand. We were hence able to identify key opportunities (e.g., the future increase of reservoir inflow in winter, when electricity prices are historically high) and risks (e.g., the expected increase of consecutive days of low flows in summer and fall, which is likely to make it more difficult to meet residual flow requirements). This study highlights that the hydrological opportunities and risks associated with reservoir management in a changing climate depend on a range of factors beyond those covered by traditional impact studies. We also illustrate the importance of identifying stakeholder needs and using them to inform the production of climate impact projections. Our user-centered approach is transferable to other impact modeling studies, in the field of water resources and beyond.

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Mapping Climate Vulnerability of River Basin Communities in Tanzania to Inform Resilience Interventions

Sustainability ◽

10.3390/su12104102 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 12 (10) ◽

pp. 4102 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Denis Macharia ◽

Erneus Kaijage ◽

Leif Kindberg ◽

Grace Koech ◽

Lilian Ndungu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Climate Change ◽

Water Resources ◽

Local Government ◽

Climate Variability ◽

Vulnerability Index ◽

Government Agencies ◽

Socioeconomic Indicators ◽

Climate Variability And Change ◽

Adaptation Measures ◽

Climate Vulnerability

Increasing climate variability and change coupled with steady population growth is threatening water resources and livelihoods of communities living in the Wami-Ruvu and Rufiji basins in Tanzania. These basins are host to three large urban centers, namely Dar es Salaam, Dodoma and Morogoro, with a combined total of more than 7 million people. Increased demand for ecosystem services from the available surface water resources and a decreasing supply of clean and safe water are exacerbating the vulnerability of communities in these basins. Several studies have analyzed climate projects in the two basins but little attention has been paid to identify locations that have vulnerable communities in a spatially-explicit form. To address this gap, we worked with stakeholders from national and local government agencies, basin water boards and the Water Resources Integration Development Initiative (WARIDI) project funded by USAID to map the vulnerability of communities to climate variability and change in the two basins. A generalized methodology for mapping social vulnerability to climate change was used to integrate biophysical and socioeconomic indicators of exposure, sensitivity and adaptive capacity and produced climate vulnerability index maps. Our analysis identified vulnerability “hotspots” where communities are at a greater risk from climate stressors. The results from this study were used to identify priority sites and adaptation measures for the implementation of resilience building interventions and to train local government agencies and communities on climate change adaptation measures in the two basins.

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Climate Change and Dairy in New York and Wisconsin: Risk Perceptions, Vulnerability, and Adaptation among Farmers and Advisors

Sustainability ◽

10.3390/su11133599 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 11 (13) ◽

pp. 3599 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Lane ◽

Murdock ◽

Genskow ◽

Betz ◽

Chatrchyan

Keyword(s):

Climate Change ◽

Decision Making ◽

New York ◽

Risk Perceptions ◽

Empirical Studies ◽

Climate Change Impacts ◽

Climate Impacts ◽

Dairy Farmers ◽

Critical Issues ◽

Using Data

Climate change impacts on agriculture have been intensifying in the Northeastern and Midwestern United States. Few empirical studies have considered how dairy farmers and/or their advisors are interpreting and responding to climate impacts, risks, and opportunities in these regions. This study investigates dairy farmer and advisor views and decisions related to climate change using data from seven farmer and advisor focus groups conducted in New York and Wisconsin. The study examined how farmers and advisors perceived climate impacts on dairy farms, the practices they are adopting, and how perceived risks and vulnerability affect farmers’ decision making related to adaptation strategies. Although dairy farmers articulated concern regarding climate impacts, other business pressures, such as profitability, market conditions, government regulations, and labor availability were often more critical issues that affected their decision making. Personal experience with extreme weather and seasonal changes affected decision making. The findings from this study provide improved understanding of farmers’ needs and priorities, which can help guide land-grant researchers, Extension, and policymakers in their efforts to develop and coordinate a comprehensive strategy to address climate change impacts on dairy in the Northeast and the Midwest US.

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