Mapping Cross-Boundary Climate Change Vulnerability—Case Study of the Hualien and Taitung Area, Taiwan

This study uses biophysical vulnerability and social vulnerability data from Taiwan’s National Science and Technology Center for Disaster Reduction (NCDR) to assess the vulnerable areas in Hualien County and Taitung County (Hualien-Taitung Area). The most vulnerable townships are Yanping and Chenggong townships in Taitung County, and the least vulnerable townships are Fuli, Jian, Yuli, Shoufeng and Fenglin townships in Hualien County. The severity of potential impacts to townships in Taitung County is greater than that to townships in Hualien County. In the context of climate change, the Hualien-Taitung Area must develop policies that prioritize policies and strategies for hotspot townships. Furthermore, the Hualien-Taitung Area should integrate long-term cross-boundary policies and strategies to lobby for increased funding from the central government. Moreover, cross-boundary resource integration and regional adaptation strategies should be merged to help the Hualien-Taitung Area move toward sustainability.