Assessing vulnerability: linking livelihoods & climate Gina Ziervogel, Emma Archer & Anna Taylor

Overview Concepts –Vulnerability, risk & hazards –Different vulnerability approaches –Conceptual frameworks of vulnerability –Livelihoods Assessing livelihood vulnerability –Hands-on exercise after tea

Vulnerability definition Origin: vulnerare – to wound Definitions –Your version –Numerous ‘academic’ versions Susceptibility to loss/shocks and stresses impact negatively Vulnerability is dynamic –Over space and time –Multiple stresses

3 dimensions to vulnerability Exposure to stresses, perturbations and shocks Sensitivity of people, places and ecosystems to stress/perturbation, And Resilience of the exposed people, places and ecosystems –That is their ability to recover from the stress and –To buffer themselves against –And to adapt to future stress and perturbations (source: Kasperson et al 2003)

Wide range of vulnerabilities…

Vulnerability affects who/what? “Vulnerability is a characteristic of all people, ecosystems and regions confronting environmental or socio- economic stresses and although the level of vulnerability varies widely, it is generally higher among poor people” –SEI Poverty & Vulnerability website (

Difference between poverty & vulnerability Poverty –‘Well-being’ or people as well as ‘enough’ Income Measure of current status Not hazard specific Vulnerability –Focus on social and economic obstacles –Forward-looking (dynamic, how might this vulnerability evolve into the future? Next week’s scenario exercise)

“Natural hazards are a part of life. But hazards only become disasters when people’s lives and livelihoods are swept away.” (Kofi Annan 2003)

Vulnerability perspectives

Conceptual frameworks for vulnerability research

Vulnerability space

Systems thinking & resilience…

Livelihood vulnerability To climate variability and change

Livelihoods definition A livelihood ‘comprises the capabilities, assets (stories, resources, claims and access) and activities required for a means of living;…a livelihood is sustainable which can cope with and recover from stress and shocks, maintain or enhance its capabilities and assets, and provide sustainable livelihood opportunities for the next generation’. (Chambers & Conway 1992)

The five assets Human assets: skills, knowledge and info, ability to work, health –E.g. HH1 – 2 members with accountancy degrees –HH2 – 2 strong sons who are able to farm Natural assets: land, water, wildlife, biodiversity, environment –Resource stocks useful for livelihoods

The five assets Financial assets: savings, credit, remittances, pensions –Financial resources that people use to achieve their livelihood objectives Physical assets: transport, shelter, water, energy –Basic infrastructure and producer goods needed to support livelihoods Social assets: networks, groups, trust, access to institutions –Social resources upon which people draw to pursue their livelihood objectives

Considering Vulnerability in Livelihood Systems

Livelihoods are vulnerability to what? A livelihood might be considered vulnerable if after a shock or stress the household members are worse off than before It is complex to look at a community and ask how vulnerable they are –The level of vulnerability is different for different stakeholders Different stresses impact different people differently Need to ask – vulnerable to what?

Vulnerability to food insecurity

Potential livelihood stressors (contexts, conditions and trends) Natural resource depletion –Land, timber, water etc Climate –Variability, extremes National policy Economy Social and cultural change Health Conflict

Climate variability & rural risk Rural livelihoods can be highly dependant on climate Direct impacts –Crop production –Livestock grazing –Water resources Indirect impacts –Seasonal work –Household resources –Education –health

Impact of climate variability on livelihood assets

Climate variability & urban risk Climate related hazards –Flooding –Erosion –Landslides –Pollution –Fire risk Services –Water –Sanitation –Access to food –Transport Governance –Limited participation –Integration –Prioritization

Vulnerability profiles Same hazard Differential vulnerability Risk different because livelihood characteristics different (exposure, sensitivity, resilience)

Climate change & livelihoods From a development perspective we need to identify vulnerable groups –Understand how their livelihoods are vulnerable to current climate variability –Which changes in climate variability are likely to impact them significantly? This helps to identify a starting point for adapting livelihoods to climate change to decrease vulnerability

Buzz group How do these concepts relate to your work? By reflecting on concepts of vulnerability and livelihoods, how might you view some of your past work/experience differently?