Climate Vulnerability and Local Economic Resilience in Ecuador

This research addresses how extreme climate phenomena, such as El Niño and La Niña, affect the economic structure of Ecuadorian munic­ipalities. Using the Herfindahl-Hirschman index (HHI) to measure economic diversification, the relationship between climate vulnera­bility and diversification is analyzed in 221 municipalities. The results show that higher climate vulnerability is associated with lower econom­ic diversification, highlighting the urgent need for robust adaptation strategies. The literature review highlights the importance of economic diversification as a strategy to mitigate climate risks. Previous studies indicate that more diversified economies are more resilient to climate shocks, allowing communities to redistribute resources and cushion negative impacts in specific sectors. Furthermore, the crucial role of adaptive capacity, including infrastructure, governance and social resources, in strengthening local resilience is highlighted. The analysis reveals that coastal and mountain regions are particularly sensitive to climate variability due to their dependence on agriculture and fishing. In contrast, municipalities in the Amazon region face additional challenges due to their limited economic diversification.

• Huvudupphovsman: Vilema, Segundo (author)
• Övriga upphovsmän: Manya Orellana, Marlon (author), Ruiz Martínez, Miguel (author), Roman Bermeo , Cynthia L. (author)
• Materialtyp: article
• Språk: spa
• Publicerad: 2024
• Ämnen: Climate Vulnerability; Economic Resilience; Climate Adaptation; Vulnerabilidad climática; Diversificación económica; Adaptación climática
• Länkar: https://estudioseconomicos.bce.fin.ec/index.php/RevistaCE/article/view/462