The Impact of Climate Variability on Inequality: Evidence from Vietnam

Climate instability in Vietnam leads to reduced incomes and greater inequality, especially in areas most affected by climatic events related to El Nino, such as the Central Highlands, Southeast and Mekong Delta regions. 
New research finds that ethnic minority, rural, and poor households are the most affected groups in the population. In addition, rural and ethnic minority households might be using remittances and transfers as insurance against climate hazards during periods of higher climate variability.
The study notes that climate change and climate variability may have disproportionately larger effects on disadvantaged populations in places like South East Asia with high risks of climate hazards, and potentially lower ability to absorb and recover from the damage. 
The authors investigate whether climate variability in Indonesia and Vietnam has any regressive effects on income stability and inequality, unpacking which household characteristics drive the relationship.