Many definitions of ‘Vulnerability and Adaptation’ have been developed, but put simply, Vulnerability can be defined as the “degree to which a system is susceptible to, or unable to cope with, adverse effects of climate change, including climate variability and extremes. Vulnerability is a function of the character, magnitude and rate of climate variation to which a system is exposed, its sensitivity and its adaptive capacity.” (Smit et al – quoted in Olmos 2001) The ‘systems’ referred to here could be natural or social systems. Obviously a highly vulnerable system is one which is very sensitive to changes in climate but is also severely limited in its ability to adapt to these changes.

The IPCC identified that vulnerability depends on the level of economic development and institutions in a society. This is of great importance to developing countries as identifies that the vulnerability of a society depends to a great extent on wealth –poverty limits the ability of a socio-economic system/society to adapt to change. It is also important to note that countries, regions, economic sectors and social groups differ in their degree of vulnerability to climate change – due partly to the fact that climate change impacts will be unevenly distributed around the globe and that resources and wealth are distributed unevenly.

Adaptation refers to the adjustments, whether passive, reactive or anticipatory, that are proposed as a means of ameliorating the anticipated adverse consequences associated with climate change (Stakhiv 1993 quoted in Olmos 2001). These adjustments may be taken by individuals or on a larger scale, by governments and NGOs, in a planned and anticipatory way.

The IPCC points out that although adaptation has the potential to reduce adverse impacts of climate change and to enhance beneficial impacts, it will however result in costs – and it will not prevent all damages. It is also important to note that the adaptation that takes place in practice is often the result of interactions between climatic and other factors (intervening conditions) – which influence the sensitivity of systems and their ability to adjust to change. For example, a series of droughts may have similar impacts on crop yields in two regions, but different economic and institutional arrangements in the two regions may result in different impacts on farmers and hence in different adaptive responses, both in the short and long term (Smit et al 2000, in Olmos 2001).

For further discussion on definitions and general issues around Vulnerability and Adaptation explore the following links:
IPCC Working Group II Report: Impacts, Vulnerability and Adaptation
V&A in 10 countries in Asia
AIACC Project (Assessment of Impacts and Adaptations to Climate Change in Multiple Regions and Sectors)
CEEPA - Climate Change and Agriculture in Africa
Climate Change Knowledge Network Vulnerability pages
Cooperative Programme on Water and Climate
Vulnerability and Adaptation in India (Government of India site)
Millennium Ecosystem Assessment project
UNDP National Communications Support programme - Help Desk on V&A
World Bank Pages on V&A

UNFCCC Climate Change Toolkit - fact sheets:
Adapting to Impacts of Climate Change
Agriculture and Food Security
Sea Levels, Oceans and Coastal Areas
Biodiversity and Ecosystems
Water Resources
Human Health
Infrastructure, Industry and Human Settlements
Climatic Disasters and Extreme Events