Vulnerability and Adaptation to Climate Change in Semi-Arid Areas in India

This detailed report summarises key findings from an extensive Regional Diagnostic Study (RDS) for South Asia. Despite intense analytical efforts at the sub-regional level, reliable downscaled data may not be available with current models. As well, the spatial scale of available downscaled climate products (Regional Climate Models) may preclude their use in local decision-making. Often, locally significant drivers such as land use-land cover change overwhelm the influence of climatic drivers. Climatic and non-climatic risks in the subregions are further exacerbated by lack of institutional support and unplanned development. Research needs to assess trends in coupled socio-ecological systems.