Compendium on methods and tools to evaluate impacts of, and vulnerability and adaptation to, climate change

This updated compendium is organized in a way that allows existing adaptation analysis and decision frameworks and tools to be catalogued in manner that is clear and easy to use and does not prescribe or recommend methods or tools. Whereas the original compendium for the most part organized discrete adaptation decision tools according to sectors of application, echoing the sectoral model based approach to vulnerability and adaptation assessment of the time, the organization of this revised compendium reflects the expanded scope and comprehensiveness of methods currently in use. Thus, the revised compendium attempts to reflect the current state of knowledge by collecting and summarizing three broad categories of frameworks, methods, and tools. First, it reviews some of the complete frameworks (both what are previously referred to as first generation approaches and second generation approaches), those methods that prescribe an entire process for the assessment of vulnerability and adaptation and in some instances assemble toolkits to support this process. These frameworks offer a broad strategic approach. Second, the compendium establishes a structure for cataloging tools that assist in addressing key cross-cutting themes or whose application spans multiple steps of the assessment process, as well as discrete tools that are applicable to multiple sectors. These are not comprehensive frameworks, nor are they tools applicable only to a specific sector and step of an assessment framework. Some constitute partial frameworks or particular research orientations that prescribe an approach to undertaking an assessment (e.g., stakeholder analysis) and can be applied at various stages of the assessment. Others are tools that are applicable to more than one sector or tend to address a particular stage of an assessment (e.g., GCM downscaling, socioeconomic scenario building, decision making). Third this revised version organizes discrete tools specific to particular sectors. Much of the content of the original compendium has been conserved here. We have significantly updated the agriculture sector to reflect the development and use of new methods and tools. The compendium is intended for use by either assessment managers or technical researchers; it does not require extensive technical knowledge of modeling or specific decision-making techniques. Some of the frameworks and tools described in the compendium may require particular expertise, and these requirements are explicitly described. The compendium provides users with key information about available frameworks and tools, special features of each framework or tool, and information about how to obtain documentation, training, or publications supporting each tool. It has been designed to be used as a reference document to identify available frameworks and tools for assessing vulnerability and adaptation. This is not a manual describing how to implement each tool, but rather a survey of possible tools that can be applied to a broad spectrum of situations and a map to point users to additional sources of information. Each framework or tool is described in a summary table that summarizes its key features. With these tables as a reference, users can decide which frameworks and tools they want to use and then can obtain further documentation for the listed contact to fully evaluate each option. Each tool has been summarized to identify its potential applications. Looking at the resources available and the individual needs of the project, the user can identify which tools may be most appropriate to analyze the adaptation options they are considering. The compendium is not a “cookbook.” It does not provide full documentation for frameworks, models, or other tools. Users will need to obtain this information from the providers. Furthermore, users should carefully consider the alternative frameworks and tools discussed in the compendium. The appropriateness and usefulness of each may vary depending on users’ circumstances and information needs. Options for analysis should be carefully investigated and considered.

Download Compendium on methods and tools to evaluate impacts of, and vulnerability and adaptation to, climate change.pdf