Climate Vulnerability and Capacity Analysis within the STRENPO Programme
The Climate Vulnerability and Capacity Analysis (CVCA) is an approach developed by CARE to assess community-level vulnerabilities and capacities to climate change. It draws on climate information from both scientific and traditional knowledge sources. Through collecting and analysing this data, CVCA catalyses the identification of necessary actions at the community level to enhance resilience in the face of climate change.
Location: Uganda, Kenya, Niger (and worldwide)
The implementation of the Climate Vulnerability and Capacity Analysis (CVCA) has been used in many different contexts. The approach is primarily used within vulnerable communities navigating complex challenges posed by climate change. These assessments are usually used where constraints of limited resources increase the susceptibility of individuals and communities to climate-related risks. CVCAs have proven to be invaluable instruments, pivotal in formulating response strategies tailored to each community’s specific context and needs.
The Climate Vulnerability and Capacity Analysis approach is foundational in developing community resilience plans in response to climate change. The approach involves gathering detailed information from existing research and the local community, focusing on their vulnerabilities and capacities to climate-related challenges. Local perspectives and traditional knowledge are incorporated through participatory tools and scientific information about climate impacts and trends to ensure a comprehensive understanding. This approach identifies opportunities for enhanced resilience by examining key factors which make communities more susceptible to climate change. These actions could range from local community efforts to broader initiatives involving civil society or government, all aimed at boosting the community’s ability to anticipate, absorb, or adapt to climate-related challenges.
Highlights
- The CVCA approach is implemented in over 20+ countries with diverse stakeholders
- The CVCA approach has been employed for more than a decade
- CVCA approaches are tailored to specific contexts
- A digital version of the CVCA tool is currently in development
Results
Originally developed in 2009, CVCA has been implemented in projects in more than 20 countries and involves various stakeholders, including governments, civil society organisations, and community-based organisations. Over time, the tool has evolved to address specific contextual issues such as the impact of climate change on conflicts and value chains. Notably, within the Strengthen Resilience and Inclusive Governance Project (STRENPO) in Uganda, CVCA was used in communities hosting refugee populations. These communities faced instances of conflict over access to and use of scarce natural resources compounded by the impacts of climate change. The CVCA process served as a platform for both the host and refugee populations to come together and discuss the impacts of climate change within their community. This joint effort resulted in a significant 28.1% increase in beneficiaries’ overall capacity (knowledge and skills) to anticipate changes arising from natural resource degradation, climate change and conflict. Additionally, 95.2% of refugees gained access to essential climate information crucial for their decision-making after participating in the CVCA process.