The Climate and Ocean Risk Vulnerability Index (CORVI)

Bangladesh, Fiji, Jamaica, Kenya, Philippines, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Tanzania – Global 

Project leader : Stimson Center

Dates : 2017

Classification

Risks

Solutions

Actors

Costs

Summary

Coastal cities are at the forefront of the climate crisis. Rising sea levels, extreme storms, and heat waves are amplifying the vulnerability of city residents. At the same time, cities face underlying economic and social concerns, such as expanding populations, aging infrastructure, and governance gaps. These interlocking risks threaten ecosystems which coastal cities rely on for their economic and food security. To combat these systemic risks, decision makers need information to help them prioritize actions to build resilience. 

Developed by the Stimson Center, CORVI: the Climate and Ocean Risk Vulnerability Index, is a decision support tool which compares an array of economic, social, and environmental risks to produce a holistic coastal city risk profile. By integrating data and information across the land-seascape, a CORVI project produces an innovative new dataset and risk profile that can be used to identify and categorize risk across sectors, aid in the design of integrated policy solutions, and access climate investment to build resilient coastal cities. This information can be used by governments, international financial institutions, and the private sector to use resources wisely, make climate smart adaptation and resilience decisions, and advocate for additional climate resilience investment. 

Actions

CORVI is a decision support tool which compares an array of economic, social, and environmental risks to produce a holistic coastal city risk profile. By integrating data and information across the land-seascape, a CORVI project produces an innovative new dataset and risk profile that can be used to identify and categorize risk across sectors, aid in the design of integrated policy solutions, and access climate investment to build resilient coastal cities. The CORVI tool highlights what priority actions are needed to build resilience in coastal cities and the surrounding areas. This information can be used by governments, international financial institutions, and the private sector to use resources wisely, make climate smart adaptation and resilience decisions, and advocate for additional climate resilience investment. 

In June 2020, Stimson released the CORVI methodology and two pilot case studies in Castries, Saint Lucia and Kingston, Jamaica. These first two CORVI city assessments demonstrated how CORVI can aid governments and businesses by providing a holistic assessment of the risks so they can be effective and prioritize actions and smart investments.

The Stimson Center produced the CORVI report which includes the first two coastal risk profiles in Castries, Saint Lucia and Kingston, Jamaica.

Outcomes

Since the completion of the CORVI assessment in Jamaica, the government has recognized the need for an integrated approach to climate change and established a new Ministry of Housing, Urban Renewal, Environment, and Climate Change. This Ministry combines climate-related risks and urban issues to develop holistic policy solutions. CORVI findings have also been a resource to unlock additional climate investment in Saint Lucia. Organized by the World Economic Forum and the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development in collaboration with the government of Saint Lucia, the Country Financing Roadmap initiative integrates some CORVI findings; including the need for economic diversification, renewable energy promotion and the importance of ecosystem health.

In 2021 CORVI is expanding, with additional assessments underway in the Asia Pacific (Chattogram, Bangladesh; Dagupan, Philippines; and Suva, Fiji), the Caribbean (Basseterre, Saint Kitts and Nevis) and East Africa (Dar es Salaam, Tanzania and Mombasa, Kenya). As more cities are added to the CORVI project, a comparative body of city level data will provide greater insights into the risks these cities face.

CORVI assessments are produced in collaboration with a wide range of on-the-ground research institutions, with the support of different levels of government.

Partners

Technical partners:

  • The Ocean Policy Research Institute of the Sasakawa Peace Foundation are leading the implementation of CORVI method in the Asia-Pacific, working with EcoSensa Solutions, Independent University Bangladesh, and the University of Fiji in Dagupan, Philippines; Chattogram, Bangladesh; and Suva, Fiji respectively. 
  • The CORVI assessment in Basseterre, St. Kitts and Nevis is being conducted in partnership with the International Cooperation and Development Fund (TaiwanICDF), Taiwan Ocean Affairs Council and St. Kitts and Nevis Ministry of Environment and Cooperatives.
  • CORVI assessments in Mombasa, Kenya and Dar es Salaam, Tanzania are being conducted in partnership with the Western Indian Ocean Marine Science Association (WIOMSA).
  • The Ocean Risk and Resilience Action Alliance (ORRAA). 
  • Qlik

Financial partners: AXA XL; Bloomberg Philanthropies ; Ocean Policy Research Institute of the Sasakawa Peace Foundation; International Cooperation and Development Fund (TaiwanICDF)

Resources