This guidance takes the reader through steps that will support the integration of ecosystem considerations into holistic VIAs, describing key questions to be answered, outlining the process of carrying out the steps, identifying the outputs of each step, and referring to other useful materials. It is informed by the experience of the project “Ecosystem-based Adaptation in Mountain Ecosystems” focused on Nepal, Peru and Uganda where United Nations Environment (UNEP-WCMC), in collaboration with partners IUCN and UNDP, undertook extensive work on VIAs to build a case for better understanding of climate resilience as it relates to mountain ecosystems.

An assumption of this Guidance is that its users will already be working with established VIA methodologies and tools. This Guidance should be seen as complementary to these. It focuses on assessing the vulnerability of people to climate change impacts through changes to the supply of ecosystem services, and consequently, changes livelihoods and well-being.  in people’s The content of the Guidance is informed by UNEP-WCMC’s experience of supporting the VIA process under the flagship programme of UNEP, UNDP and IUCN: ‘Ecosystem-based Adaptation – Adapting to climate change in mountain ecosystems’, supported by the Federal Ministry for Environment, Nature Conservation, Building and Nuclear Safety of the Federal Republic of Germany, and carried out in collaboration with the Governments of Nepal, Peru and Uganda.