Vulnerability and Adaptation of Coastal Livelihoods to the Impacts of Climate Change: A Case Study in Coastal Districts of Nam Dinh, Vietnam

Abstract:Communities in coastal areas tend to be dependent on climate sensitive resources for their livelihoods which make them vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. Livelihood adaptation plays a vital role in mitigating vulnerabilities, increasing resilience, and achieving sustainable income and food security in the long term. Drawing on quantitative data from a case study in three coastal districts of Nam Dinh province in Vietnam, this paper investigates vulnerability and adaptation of coastal livelihoods to the impacts of climate change at a household level. Findings suggest that (i) climate change has positive effects on livelihood assets, especially natural and physical capital; (ii) the more livelihood assets are affected by climate change, the more livelihood strategies are affected; (iii) the more livelihood strategies are affected by climate change, the more livelihood outcomes are affected, and (iv) households are implementing passive adaptation activities on their livelihoods rather than active ones to counter the impacts of climate change. It is recommended that in order to help households successfully adapt to the impacts of climate change, it is necessary for the government to support households to improve their livelihood assets, especially natural and physical capital, and to enhance institutions and policies on climate change adaptation at national and local levels.