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Putting vulnerability to climate change on the map: a review of approaches, benefits, and risks

Sustainability Science volume 6, pages 177–202 (2011)Cite this article

Abstract

There is growing demand among stakeholders across public and private institutions for spatially-explicit information regarding vulnerability to climate change at the local scale. However, the challenges associated with mapping the geography of climate change vulnerability are non-trivial, both conceptually and technically, suggesting the need for more critical evaluation of this practice. Here, we review climate change vulnerability mapping in the context of four key questions that are fundamental to assessment design. First, what are the goals of the assessment? A review of published assessments yields a range of objective statements that emphasize problem orientation or decision-making about adaptation actions. Second, how is the assessment of vulnerability framed? Assessments vary with respect to what values are assessed (vulnerability of what) and the underlying determinants of vulnerability that are considered (vulnerability to what). The selected frame ultimately influences perceptions of the primary driving forces of vulnerability as well as preferences regarding management alternatives. Third, what are the technical methods by which an assessment is conducted? The integration of vulnerability determinants into a common map remains an emergent and subjective practice associated with a number of methodological challenges. Fourth, who participates in the assessment and how will it be used to facilitate change? Assessments are often conducted under the auspices of benefiting stakeholders, yet many lack direct engagement with stakeholders. Each of these questions is reviewed in turn by drawing on an illustrative set of 45 vulnerability mapping studies appearing in the literature. A number of pathways for placing vulnerability mapping on a more robust footing are also identified.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Environmental Sciences Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, PO Box 2008, MS-6038, One Bethel Valley Road, Oak Ridge, TN, 37831-6253, USA

    Benjamin L. Preston

  2. CSIRO Climate Adaptation Flagship, PMB1, 107–121 Station Street, Aspendale, VIC, 3195, Australia

    Emma J. Yuen

  3. IMS Consulting, St Nicholas House, 31–34 High Street, Bristol, BS1 2AW, UK

    Richard M. Westaway

Authors
  1. Benjamin L. Preston
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  2. Emma J. Yuen
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  3. Richard M. Westaway
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Benjamin L. Preston.

Additional information

Edited by Hans-Martin Füssel, Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research, Germany.

Appendix

Appendix

See Table 5.

Table 5 Spatial climate change vulnerability assessments reviewed in the current study
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Preston, B.L., Yuen, E.J. & Westaway, R.M. Putting vulnerability to climate change on the map: a review of approaches, benefits, and risks. Sustain Sci 6, 177–202 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11625-011-0129-1

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Keywords

  • Vulnerability assessment
  • Mapping
  • Climate change
  • Adaptation