What defines livelihood vulnerability in rural semi‑arid areas? : evidence from Pakistan

In view of the enhanced vulnerability of semi-arid regions to climate change (IPCC AR5 Climate Change 2014: Mitigation of Climate Change) this paper attempts to identify the key determinants of vulnerability in three semi-arid districts of Pakistan using an indicator-based approach. Semi-arid lands in Pakistan predominantly feature irrigated agriculture. Results of IPCC–LVI show varying levels of vulnerability experienced by farmers in the three study sites. This paper uses the IPCC-Livelihood Vulnerability Index for developing site-specific vulnerability scores that portray the unique aspects that determine districts’ vulnerability to climate change such as water supply, access to information, rural poverty, health, education and genderUK's Department for International Development (DFID