ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on the gap between the deficit in capacity among vulnerable groups to cope with climate impacts and the building of adaptive capacity for climate change. Increasing the capacity of the most vulnerable groups to cope with climate-related impacts must be a key goal of adaptation. According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change WG II Summary for Policy Makers, 2001, "Experience with adaptation to climate variability and extremes can be drawn upon to develop appropriate strategies for adapting to anticipated climate change. The sustainable livelihoods approach sees poverty as vulnerability to shocks, and seeks to reduce vulnerability by building on the livelihood assets of households, increasing their access to a blend of assets and gradually building household resilience. The United Nations Development Programme approach to sustainable livelihoods may be the most compatible with the overall research goals, while the Department for International Development framework provides a useful tool for use within the case study process itself.
