Liant la théorie de la capabilité de développement humain d’Amartyr Sen et celle de la vulnérabilité, ce stage de master 2 a permis d’identifier des secteurs de vulnérabilité et de résilience en Maurienne afin d’évaluer la vulnérabilité contextuelle économique, sociale et environnementale de ce territoire montagnard.

A recent Masters 2 level study identified areas of vulnerability and resilience in the mountain territory, La Vallée de la Maurienne, through the lens of Amartyr Sen’s human development Capability Approach. The research combined vulnerability and capability theory to assess economic, social and environmental contextual vulnerability of the mountain territory (Figure 1). Using a set of quantitative indicators derived from a review of landmark climate change literature, the collective socio-ecological capability of the valley was explored and discussed, specifically whether such capability was deficient or sufficient.

Based on relevance and data availability, 41 multidimensional quantitative indicators were selected. Collective capability was then analysed in terms of the vulnerability components sensitivity, coping capacity and adaptive capacity, and the key elements in capability generation, specifically resources, conversion factors, capabilities/ functionings and instrumental freedoms (Figure 2). Preliminary results indicate that potential vulnerability in the Valley lies in biodiversity sensitivity, resource dependent employment, education and natural resource pressures; while resilience is reflected in the current state of municipal finances, rural support and identity, individual socio- economic capacity and political voice. These are but tentative outcomes that need further careful analysis to understand how the collective capability of Maurienne Valley can serve to enable the territory to develop and thrive in the face of climate change. Furthermore, the study outcomes could contribute to identifying target areas in a territorial climate change adaptation strategy, the aim of which would be to build socio-ecological resilience.