The Risk and Vulnerability Assessment MethodologyDevelopment Project (RiVAMP) was conceived to develop a methodology that takes into accountenvironmental factors in the analysis of disaster riskand vulnerability. While different types of risk andvulnerability assessments are available, what is newabout RiVAMP is that it recognizes ecosystems andclimate change in the risk assessment process. Thepurpose of RiVAMP is to use evidence-based, scientificand qualitative research to demonstrate therole of ecosystems in disaster risk reduction, and thusenable policymakers to make better-informed decisionsthat support sustainable development throughimproved ecosystems management. Jamaica was selected as the first country for theRiVAMP pilot for several reasons, including: its highvulnerability to tropical cyclones and sea level rise;diverse ecosystems and rich biodiversity which areunder pressure as a result of population growth,economic development and a strong internationaltourism industryhigh-level government commitmentto hazard mitigation and climate change adaptation;and strong partners through the University ofthe West Indies and UNEPs Caribbean EnvironmentProgramme (CEP) based in Kingston, Jamaica.