Climate change has intensified the frequency and severity of environmental hazards, disproportionately affecting communities with limited adaptive capacity. Understanding where and why such vulnerabilities occur is essential for designing targeted and equitable climate adaptation strategies. This study presents a comprehensive Geographic Information System (GIS)–based assessment of climate vulnerability by integrating environmental exposure, socioeconomic sensitivity, and adaptive capacity indicators into a spatially explicit analytical framework. The research aims to map patterns of vulnerability and identify high-risk zones where climatic stressors intersect with structural socioeconomic disadvantages. Multiple environmental variables, including temperature variability, precipitation extremes, flood susceptibility, land use patterns, and vegetation cover, are analyzed alongside socioeconomic factors such as population density, income levels, literacy rates, housing quality, access to healthcare, and livelihood dependence on climate-sensitive sectors. These indicators are standardized and weighted to construct a composite Climate Vulnerability Index (CVI), enabling comparative analysis across spatial units. GIS techniques are employed to visualize vulnerability gradients, detect spatial clusters, and reveal relationships between physical exposure and social fragility. The findings demonstrate that climate vulnerability is not solely determined by environmental risk but is significantly amplified by socioeconomic conditions. Regions experiencing moderate climatic stress often emerge as highly vulnerable due to limited infrastructure, weak institutional support, and constrained coping mechanisms. Conversely, some areas with higher environmental exposure exhibit lower overall vulnerability owing to stronger adaptive capacity and resource availability. The spatial analysis highlights pronounced intra-regional disparities, emphasizing the need for localized assessments rather than uniform policy approaches. This research underscores the value of GIS as a decision-support tool for climate risk assessment, offering policymakers and planners a clear visual and analytical basis for prioritizing interventions. By integrating environmental and socioeconomic dimensions, the study advances a holistic understanding of climate vulnerability that aligns with sustainable development and climate justice objectives. The resulting vulnerability maps can inform disaster risk reduction planning, climate-resilient infrastructure development, and targeted social protection measures. Overall, the study contributes to the growing body of interdisciplinary climate research by demonstrating how spatially integrated assessments can bridge the gap between climate science and socio-political decision-making, ultimately supporting more resilient and inclusive adaptation strategies.
Keywords: Climate vulnerability, Geographic Information System (GIS), Socioeconomic risk, Environmental exposure, Climate adaptation
How to cite this article: Al Huda E, Begum PN, Geethanjali K, Dongre S, Mapping Climate Vulnerability: A GIS-Based Assessment of Environmental and Socioeconomic Risks. Int J Drug Deliv Technol. 2026;16(4s): 750-758; DOI: 10.25258/ijddt.16.4s.87
Source of support: Nil
Conflict of interest: None