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This article discusses how some Parties to the UNFCCC, in light of the scarce funds currently available for adaptation, have suggested a prioritisation between eligible countries on the basis of their vulnerability to climate change, and to develop a vulnerability index for doing so.
Article 4.4 of the Convention commits developed countries “to assist developing countries that are particularly vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change in meeting costs of adaptation to those adverse effects.”
This raises the question as to what it means to be “particularly vulnerable”, and how it is decided which countries fall into this category. In the absence of an agreed method to measure vulnerability, the many facets to the concept give rise to many possible interpretations of what constitutes “particularly vulnerable”.
Eventually, the decision on how to compare potential impacts of climate change on, for example, human life, physical infrastructure and biological diversity requires a subjective judgement as to which expected outcomes are “better” or “worse”.
Academics or other experts cannot therefore provide an objectively “true” answer to this political question.
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Team Leader: International Climate Risk and Adaptation; Senior Research Fellow
SEI Headquarters
Event on 22 May – 24 May in Zagreb / Join SEI research expert, Alison Dyke, as shares insights on future treescapes at the 2024 European Forum on Urban Forestry.
Feature / Learn why Nordic supply chains must adapt to withstand climate disruptions, as discussed at the recent Nordic Environment and Climate Ministerial meeting.
Press release / A new journal article in Frontiers in Animal Science urges a holistic approach to animal agriculture balancing needs of humans, animals and environment.
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