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How the CCVA vulnerability score is calculated

Step-by-step overview

  1. Normalize variables. Each underlying variable (e.g. storm frequency, reef condition) is transformed onto a common 0–1 scale.
  2. Aggregate by component. Variables are grouped and averaged (with rules for missing data) into component scores for exposure, sensitivity, and adaptive capacity.
  3. Apply weights. Components are combined using pre-defined weights to ensure that no single dimension dominates the final score.
  4. Interpret the 0–1 score. The resulting score is interpreted on a five‑point scale from very low to very high vulnerability.

Interpreting the scale

  • 0.00 – 0.19 Very low vulnerability
  • 0.20 – 0.39 Low vulnerability
  • 0.40 – 0.59 Moderate vulnerability
  • 0.60 – 0.79 High vulnerability
  • 0.80 – 1.00 Very high vulnerability

Try the scoring calculator

Move the sliders to explore how changes in each component affect the overall vulnerability score. This is a simplified illustration of the full CCVA weighting logic.

ExposureWeight 20%
Ecological SensitivityWeight 20%
Social SensitivityWeight 20%
Ecological Adaptive CapacityWeight 20%
Social Adaptive CapacityWeight 20%

Calculated vulnerability score

0 = very low, 1 = very high

0.10

Very low vulnerability

Example interpretation

In a real assessment, the CCVA uses this logic with observed data for each area. A score near 0.8 might indicate a place that is highly exposed to storms and sea-level rise, where many households depend on climate-sensitive livelihoods, and where adaptive capacity is still relatively limited.

The interactive calculator on the left is meant as an educational illustration. Actual results in this platform come from pre‑calculated CCVA scores based on vetted datasets and documented methods.