Constructing composite indicators to measure the adaptive capacity to climate change at the district level in three provinces of the coastal Mekong delta

Abstract

Measuring adaptive capacity to climate change using composite indicators has been applied in many places around the globe, but is still limited in Vietnam, especially at the district level. Building on secondary data from the local statistics offices, this study develops composite indicators of the adaptive capacity to climate change at the district level in three coastal provinces of the Mekong delta, namely Ben Tre, Tra Vinh, and Soc Trang. The composite indicators are constructed by applying two methods of equal weighting and weighting factor analysis. The results show that more than 95% of 29 districts have low to moderate levels of adaptive capacity to climate change. The investigated districts are ranked in the order of the adaptive capacity level to climate change. This study proposes a valuable tool for the local governmental authorities to assess the adaptive capacity level and hence to make the priority for investments in adaptive action plans for climate change in the future. The proposed index is easily updated using available data, and it is, therefore, feasible to monitor and evaluate the adaptive capacity at the district level over time.