Climate risk index for Italy

Area of Science:

• Climate Science
• Environmental Risk Assessment
• Adaptation Policy

Background:

• National climate adaptation planning requires robust tools to identify and prioritize risks.
• Existing assessments may not sufficiently integrate diverse capital assets and vulnerability factors.
• Climate change amplifies existing hazards, necessitating updated risk evaluation methods.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce and elaborate on a novel climate risk index for Italy's national adaptation planning.
• To support authorities in designing effective climate adaptation policies and plans.
• To identify administrative areas most susceptible to adverse climate change impacts.

Main Methods:

• Developed a climate risk index integrating climate change-amplified hazards, exposure, and vulnerability.
• Utilized standardized anomalies of extreme climate indices from EURO-CORDEX regional climate models.
• Assessed exposure and sensitivity of manufactured, natural, social, and economic capital assets.

Main Results:

• The index ranks subnational administrative units based on climate risk.
• Identified areas with higher propensity to be adversely affected by climate change.
• Provides a framework for informed financial resource allocation for climate adaptation.

Conclusions:

• The developed climate risk index is a valuable tool for national adaptation planning in Italy.
• The index effectively combines multiple factors to provide a comprehensive risk assessment.
• Results can guide policy formulation and resource allocation for enhanced climate resilience.