Editorial: Climate Change Vulnerability, Adaptation, and Human Settlements

Amit Kumar^1*Rupesh Kumar²Prashant Sharma³Yuhan Huang⁴

• ¹Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology, Nanjing, China
• ²OP Jindal Global University Jindal Global Business School, Sonipat, India
• ³Dr Y S Parmar University of Horticulture & Forestry, Nauni, India
• ⁴University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, Australia

Climate issues have become a global concern and are impacting the sustainable development of human settlements worldwide (Lwasa et al., 2023). Adapting to climate change in these settlements is vital to ensure that growth is not compromised and that the increasing global population can thrive in their own habitats (Dodman et al., 2019). Even before climate change became a pressing issue, human settlements faced significant challenges like urban flooding in rapidly growing cities, water scarcity in arid and semiarid regions, coastal erosion and sea-level rise (Matta et al., 2025). The compounding effects of climate change will further exacerbate these challenges, making human settlements vital in local, national, and global adaptation plans. However, developing effective adaptation strategies requires a comprehensive understanding of the challenges and alternatives specific to human settlements, based on the National Climate Change Response insights (Adger et al., 2005;Kalantari et al., 2024). In recent decades, urban, rural, and coastal human settlements have encountered various environmental challenges (Liu et al., 2025;Zhu et al., 2025). Urban settlements, in particular, face complex and diverse implications from both direct and indirect climate change.The susceptibility of human settlements to natural and artificial risks worldwide, especially in developing nations like India, China, Bangladesh, Pakistan, delta and coastal regions, and Small Island Developing States, is increasing due to climate change. Assessments of human settlements should consider locationspecific vulnerabilities, encompassing economic, social, environmental, political, and cultural aspects (Dong et al., 2024;Thakur et al., 2025). It is crucial to utilize gender-disaggregated vulnerability data generated at the local level to identify and address the root causes of gender-differentiated vulnerability (Liu et al., 2024). National and local governments can employ a variety of risk assessment and adaptation planning toolkits that cover a range of communities, from cities to villages and informal settlements. Some of these toolkits are specifically designed for areas lacking resources or experience with adaptation planning. Several national adaptation measures are applicable across climate scenarios and offer additional social benefits, such as job creation and social equity. Despite growing attention to climate resilience, several critical research gaps persist. First, there is a lack of disaggregated and longitudinal data, limiting our understanding of how vulnerability evolves over time and varies within settlements, particularly across gender, age, and socio-economic groups. Second, urban-rural comparative studies remain underexplored, hindering insights into differentiated adaptation needs and strategies. Third, the role of informality whether in slum settlements or rural governance is often overlooked, despite its significant influence on access to resources and adaptive behavior. vulnerable to sea-level rise and extreme weather due to their geographic isolation and limited adaptive capacity. In contrast, developed regions like North America, Europe, and East Asia generally maintain higher resilience through stronger infrastructure, governance, and access to technology and finance while exposed to climate risks. This global pattern underscores the urgent need for targeted adaptation and equitable climate action.Climate change poses multifaceted risks to human settlements, ranging from coastal cities to remote rural communities and often disproportionately affecting the most socio-economically vulnerable populations (Shang et al., 2024;Hong et al., 2023). Vulnerability is broadly defined by three key dimensions: exposure to climate hazards, sensitivity of the system to those hazards, and the capacity to adapt (IPCC, 2022 (Lwasa et al., 2023). Moreover, integrating adaptation into long-term spatial planning and disaster risk reduction policies is essential for minimizing residual risks.Recent advancements in geospatial technologies, artificial intelligence, and participatory risk assessment frameworks offer new tools to assess vulnerability and monitor adaptive progress. Yet, climate change's urgency demands scaling up funding and implementation. A comprehensive settlement-level adaptation strategy must embrace systemic approaches that combine infrastructure, ecosystem resilience, and inclusive governance for transformative outcomes.AK: Writing -original draft, Writing -review and editing. RK, PS and YH: Writing -review and editing.All the editors read the editorial and agreed for publication.