Copyright © 2024 Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment.
What is vulnerability?
Vulnerability in the context of climate change refers to the susceptibility of communities, ecosystems, and economies to the adverse impacts of environmental changes. Many communities, particularly those reliant on agriculture, face significant risks due to increasing climate variability, such as prolonged droughts and extreme weather events. These conditions can jeopardize livelihoods, food security, and access to clean water.
The CSIR Greenbook has developed and refined a vulnerability assessment framework by collating relevant data into composite vulnerability indicators. Four local municipality level vulnerability indices for the Free State, South Africa were computed and are presented spatially below.
Social inequalities are the factors that affect the susceptibility and coping mechanisms of communities and households. Indicators for social vulnerability attempt to consider the sensitivity, response and recovery from the impacts of natural hazards. The CSIR Green Book has developed a socio-economic vulnerability index that is measured on a scale from 1 (low vulnerability) to 10 (high vulnerability). The map shows the Socio-Economic vulnerability score of each municipality in the province visually.
Environmental vulnerability describes the vulnerability and risk to the natural environment and the impacts on the ecological infrastructure of which surrounding settlements are dependent. The environmental risk of an area includes ecosystems, habitats, physical and biological processes (reproduction, diversity, energy flows, etc). The CSIR Green Book has developed an Environmental Vulnerability Index that is measured on a scale from 1 (low vulnerability) to 10 (high vulnerability). The map shows the environmental vulnerability score of each municipality in the province visually.
Physical vulnerability describes the physical fabric and connectedness of settlements (buildings and infrastructure) and focuses mainly on the conditions that exist before a hazard occurs and the expected level of resulting loss. The CSIR Green Book has developed a physical vulnerability index that is measured on a scale from 1 (low vulnerability) to 10 (high vulnerability). The map shows the physical vulnerability score of each municipality in the province visually.
Economic vulnerability describes the potential risks posed by hazards on economic assets and processes. Potential hazards can include job losses, increased poverty and interruptions in business activities. The CSIR Green Book has developed an economic vulnerability index that is measured on a scale from 1 (low vulnerability) to 10 (high vulnerability). The map below shows the economic vulnerability score of each municipality in the province visually.
Additional Resources:
National Climate Risk & Vulnerability (CRV) Assessment Framework (2020)
The National Climate Risk and Vulnerability Assessment Framework provides tools and methodologies to assess climate change vulnerability across sectors. It helps guide the selection and combination of methods for effective assessments. While many organizations use the IPCC-endorsed framework to rank vulnerability, new tools highlight the need for a deeper understanding of climate risk for better adaptation.
The framework focuses on key components of vulnerability-exposure, sensitivity, and adaptive capacity-and considers future risks and dynamics. It offers practical guidance for applying various methods and tools in different contexts, promoting a shared approach to climate risk assessments across sectors. Additionally, it provides step-by-step instructions for conducting vulnerability assessments throughout the lifecycle of adaptation interventions, ensuring a comprehensive and consistent approach.
Copyright © 2024 Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment.