The Climate Vulnerability Index (CVI) is a systematic and rapid assessment tool for World Heritage that is values-based, science-driven and community-focused
The CVI process
The CVI builds upon the vulnerability framework approach described in the Fourth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). However, the CVI differs from many vulnerability assessments because it comprises two distinct stages (see Figure below) and can be applied across all types of World Heritage (WH) properties, assessing:
- the OUV Vulnerability (OUV = Outstanding Universal Value, the central concept for World Heritage); this assesses the exposure, sensitivity and adaptive capacity of the key WH values that collectively comprise the OUV, assessing how they will be impacted by three key climate stressors chosen to be the most relevant for that WH property; and
- the Community Vulnerability based on the economic, social and cultural dependencies upon the WH property, and the adaptive capacity of these to cope with climate change. The Community Vulnerability component is a key aspect that makes the CVI distinct from many other risk assessment approaches.
Both results of vulnerability are highly relevant for many groups including the site managers, the responsible management agencies, the businesses that are dependent on the property and the local communities around each WH property, especially as the CVI assesses the extent to which they may be able to adapt.
Climate change is the fastest growing global threat to our heritage.
Climate impacts include rising temperatures, sea level rise, extreme precipitation, flooding, coastal erosion, drought, worsening wildfires, and human displacement.
Today, around the world there are over 1,100 World Heritage properties – natural, cultural and mixed. While these are ‘the best-of-the best’ globally, many of these properties are already experiencing significant negative impacts and damage from climate change.
The Climate Vulnerability Index (CVI) is a rapid assessment tool that is distinct from other vulnerability assessments in that it evaluates:
- OUV Vulnerability; and
- Community Vulnerability
for all types of World Heritage properties.
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