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Spatial-Explicit Climate Change Vulnerability Assessments Based on Impact Chains. Findings from a Case Study in Burundi

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  • Stefan Schneiderbauer

    (Eurac Research, 39100 Bolzano, Italy
    Institute for Environment and Human Security (UNU-EHS), United Nations University, 53113 Bonn, Germany
    Department Geography, Qwaqwa Campus, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein 9301, South Africa)

  • Daniel Baunach

    (Department for Environment and Environmental Planning, 90402 City of Nuremberg, Germany)

  • Lydia Pedoth

    (Eurac Research, 39100 Bolzano, Italy
    Institute for Environment and Human Security (UNU-EHS), United Nations University, 53113 Bonn, Germany)

  • Kathrin Renner

    (Eurac Research, 39100 Bolzano, Italy)

  • Kerstin Fritzsche

    (Institute for Futures Studies and Technology Assessment (IZT), 14129 Berlin, Germany)

  • Christina Bollin

    (Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), 10963 Berlin, Germany)

  • Marco Pregnolato

    (Ecometrics ltd, spinoff of the Catholic University of Sacred Heart of Milano, 25121 Brescia, Italy)

  • Marc Zebisch

    (Eurac Research, 39100 Bolzano, Italy)

  • Stefan Liersch

    (Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK), Member of the Leibniz Association, 14473 Potsdam, Germany)

  • María del Rocío Rivas López

    (Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK), Member of the Leibniz Association, 14473 Potsdam, Germany)

  • Salvator Ruzima

    (Environmental Assessments, Geology, Energy and Water Consultant Firm, Bujumbura B.P 3672, Burundi)

Abstract

Climate change vulnerability assessments are an essential instrument to identify regions most vulnerable to adverse impacts of climate change and to determine appropriate adaptation measures. Vulnerability assessments directly support countries in developing adaptation plans and in identifying possible measures to reduce adverse consequences of changing climate conditions. Against this background, this paper describes a vulnerability assessment using an integrated and participatory approach that builds on standardized working steps of previously developed ‘Vulnerability Sourcebook’ guidelines. The backbone of this approach is impact chains as a conceptual model of cause–effect relationships as well as a structured selection of indicators according to the three main components of vulnerability, namely exposure, sensitivity and adaptive capacity. We illustrate our approach by reporting the results of a vulnerability assessment conducted in Burundi focusing on climate change impacts on water and soil resources. Our work covers two analysis scales: a national assessment with the aim to identify climate change ‘hotspot regions’ through vulnerability mapping; and a local assessment aiming at identifying local-specific drivers of vulnerability and appropriate adaptation measures. Referring to this vulnerability assessment in Burundi, we discuss the potentials and constraints of the approach. We stress the need to involve stakeholders in every step of the assessment and to communicate limitations and uncertainties of the applied methods, indicators and maps in order to increase the comprehension of the approach and the acceptance of the results by different stakeholders. The study proved the practical usability of the approach at the national level by the selection of three particularly vulnerable areas. The results at a local scale supported the identification of adaption measures through intensive engagement of local rural populations.

Suggested Citation

  • Stefan Schneiderbauer & Daniel Baunach & Lydia Pedoth & Kathrin Renner & Kerstin Fritzsche & Christina Bollin & Marco Pregnolato & Marc Zebisch & Stefan Liersch & María del Rocío Rivas López & Salvato, 2020. "Spatial-Explicit Climate Change Vulnerability Assessments Based on Impact Chains. Findings from a Case Study in Burundi," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(16), pages 1-26, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:12:y:2020:i:16:p:6354-:d:395776
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    1. Detlef Vuuren & Jae Edmonds & Mikiko Kainuma & Keywan Riahi & Allison Thomson & Kathy Hibbard & George Hurtt & Tom Kram & Volker Krey & Jean-Francois Lamarque & Toshihiko Masui & Malte Meinshausen & N, 2011. "The representative concentration pathways: an overview," Climatic Change, Springer, vol. 109(1), pages 5-31, November.
    2. Food and Agriculture Organization, 2013. "The State of Food and Agriculture, 2013," Working Papers id:5511, eSocialSciences.
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    2. Willis Ndeda Ochilo & Stefan Toepfer & Privat Ndayihanzamaso & Idah Mugambi & Janny Vos & Celestin Niyongere, 2022. "Assessing the Plant Health System of Burundi: What It Is, Who Matters and Why," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(21), pages 1-19, November.

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