Reviews on Regional Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment
区域气候变化脆弱性综合评估研究进展

Assessments of regional vulnerability provide a scientific basis for poverty reduction, sustainable development and formulation of adaptive strategies in vulnerable regions. Quantitative methods for regional vulnerability assessment are very difficult due to the complexity of man-land system. Vulnerability studies started late in China, and the earlier studies concerned more on the distribution of vulnerable areas but less on vulnerable people, which prevents the central and local governments from formulating scientific adaptation policies and measures. This paper reviews the understandings of vulnerability and the methods for regional climate change vulnerability assessment. Cases about qualitative analysis, index evaluation and vulnerability evaluation based on sustainable livelihood framework and GIS methods are introduced. Suggestions on vulnerability assessment based on sustainable livelihood framework are also presented for the vulnerable regions of China.