Community-based Risk Screening tool-Adaptation and Livelihoods (CRiSTAL)

CRiSTAL is an assessment tool developed to assist community level project planners and managers in integrating climate risk reduction and adaptation strategies into development projects. It aims to highlight the links that exist between risks associated with climate change, livelihoods and community level projects. The tool itself is based on spreadsheets within the Microsoft Excel programme and is complemented by a step-by-step user guide. CRiSTAL is composed of the following four steps:

1. the climate context of the community is established in order to assess anticipated climate hazards, the impacts of these hazards, and the coping strategies available
2. the livelihood context of the community is evaluated with the purpose of highlighting livelihood resources, the impact of climate hazards on these resources, and a prioritised list of livelihood resources for adaptive strategy
3. project activities are assessed in terms of their impact on livelihood resources that are most affected by hazards and/or important for adaptive capacity
4. in light of analysis undertaken using the tool, projects are altered in order to enhance adaptive capacity and diminish climate vulnerability.

Although some scientific data is required at the outset, this tool is predominantly based on consultations with local communities and project stakeholders.