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Vulnerabilityexposure, sensitivity and adaptive capacityBy Carina Bachofen and Edward Cameron

In the past climate change vulnerability was understood as exposure to climate hazards. Today a more complete picture of vulnerability, encompassing exposure to risk; sensitivity to these risks; and adaptive capacity is informing our understanding of climate change impacts and shaping policy approaches.

Vulnerable populations are exposed to multiple risks including reduced agricultural productivity, risks to unique and threatened systems, increased exposure to disease vectors and extreme weather events. In Bolivia, for example, in 2004 a prolonged drought affected the Chaco Region threatening the food security, health and nutritional status of approximately 180,000 people, of which 15 percent were children.

Sensitivity results from dependence on the environment for livelihoods, food, shelter and medicine; lack of access to decision making and justice, geographical context, a range of intersecting inequalities including financial, socio-economic, cultural and gender status. The 1991 cyclone in Bangladesh illustrates many of these issues. More than 90 percent of the estimated 140,000 fatalities were women; their limited mobility, skills set and social status exacerbated their vulnerability to this extreme weather event.

Adaptive capacity refers to the pool of assets (social, physical, financial, natural, human, and cultural) and resources (technological, knowledge

and governance) which an individual, household or community may mobilize to build resilience to climate change impacts.

Vulnerability is not a uniform taxonomy: for example, not all women, farmers and fishing communities are equally vulnerable. Recognizing the differences as well as the common vulnerabilities of different groups is an essential prerequisite for having a complete understanding of vulnerability and dev i s ing success fu l and sus ta inable interventions. This further facilitates resilience, which occurs where adaptive capacity is strong, inequalities are addressed, and exposure is minimized.

Just as vulnerable communities are threatened with collapse from climate impacts, a resilient community can anticipate and plan for a sustainable future.

The Social Dimensions of Climate Change (SDCC) Learning Module is designed to change our perspective on climate change from one that focuses on science and ecosystems, to one that puts social and human systems at the forefront of our analysis.

This new perspective has wide-ranging implications for diagnostics, process, policy and instrument design as well as substantive outcomes.

Our aim is to improve understanding of the drivers that shape vulnerability and enhance ability to promote adaptive capacity and spur climate resilient sustainable development.

This case study provides a brief overview of a theme, vital for understanding the social dimensions of climate change. Questions are provided at the end to test the reader and promote further thinking.

For further information please contact:

Carina Bachofencbachofen@worldbank.org

Edward Cameronecameron@worldbank.org

or visit:worldbank.org/sdcc

SDCC LEARNING IN FOCUS

Test Your Knowledge

Question 1: How has understanding of vulnerability evolved over time? How does this enhanced understanding improve climate change policy interventions?

Question 2: What are the characteristics of exposure, sensitivity and adaptive capacity in your home country?