What are the pathways for climate-resilient economic development in areas most vulnerable to climate risk through vertical and horizontal transformation? What are the adaptation options for business and private sector investment opportunities in responding to climate change in these areas? Findings from VC-ARID in the cotton sectors of Pakistan and Burkina Faso are beginning to answer these questions. 

The VC-ARID approach allows us to better understand where the opportunities are for integrating areas of high vulnerability to climate risk into national economies via their key productive sectors, i.e. cotton, thus, protecting people from climate change impacts, while stimulating growth. The comparison between Pakistan and Burkina Faso enables exploration of the macroeconomic structures and regulatory frameworks that can enhance or constrain the resilience of these key sectors and the supporting services that can be improved to bring about climate-resilient economic development.