A Conceptual Framework and Research Design for Assessing Losses and Damages from Climate Change in Vulnerable Communities

The purpose of this paper is to present a conceptual framework and people-centred research design for assessing climate-induced losses and damages in vulnerable communities. The mixed-method research design builds on progressive insights from 12 fieldwork-based, empirical case studies, conducted across the Global South, in which more than 4000 respondents participated. The paper discusses key concepts, such as sudden-onset events, slow-onset processes, vulnerability, disaster risk reduction, coping strategies, adaptation and adaptation limits and constraints, and brings these together in a conceptual framework for assessing losses and damages in vulnerable communities. Subsequently, the paper discusses research design considerations, such as purposive study site selection and random sampling of survey respondents. Lastly, it presents hands-on research tools, which include a household questionnaire, focus group discussions, expert interviews, participatory evaluation of climate action and open interviews to elicit personal testimonies of how climate change induces losses and damages and how this affects people’s lives and livelihoods.