Preface-Addressing Issues of Climate Change Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability on the Ground:Challenges and Opportunities

The Paris Agreement - a landmark outcome of the 21st Session of the Conference of the Parties (COP 21) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCC) - acknowledges 'enhancing adaptive capacity, strengthening resilience and reducing vulnerability to climate change' to be a major priority for the developing countries. The agreement will be open for signature on 22 April 2016. Once a country becomes a party to this agreement, planning and implementing adaptation efforts 'as appropriate' will be a requirement. The current juncture is an especially appropriate time to examine the status of knowledge on climate change impacts and adaptation in the vulnerable communities in South Asia, especially India which is home to over 1.2 billion people.