CRiSTAL Stories: CRiSTAL Supports Climate-Resilient Development in the Peruvian Andes

This case study describes the application of the Community-based Risk Screening Tool – Adaptation and Livelihoods (CRiSTAL) and CARE's Climate Vulnerability and Capacity Analysis (CVCA) in the municipality of Santa Teresa and other areas of the Peruvian Andes. Implemented by CARE Peru as part of the Adaptation to the Impact of Rapid Glacier Retreat in the Tropical Andes Project (PRAA), these tools helped 14 communities identify and implement climate-resilient development measures tailored to local perceptions of risk.

• In 14 communities within the Peruvian Andes, participatory methods and stakeholder workshops were used to identify primary climate risks to livelihoods. These risks include landslides caused by excessive rain, unpredictable rainfall and dry periods, changing temperatures, water scarcity, and an increase in plant diseases, which can reduce crop yields and block market access.
• To mitigate climate risks, several adaptation measures have been implemented, including the creation of model farms utilizing shade nets and drip irrigation to stabilize crop production against unstable rain and sunshine. Other strategies include diversifying livelihoods through the tourism sector—supporting small hotels, restaurants, and camping sites—and promoting beekeeping to increase income and adaptive capacity.
• Analysis using CRiSTAL revealed that women are more vulnerable to climate change than men due to limited access to technical skills, information, and income. In response, CARE Peru focused on strengthening women's capacity to generate income and access credit, exemplified by the Sumac T’ika beekeeping association in Sullucuyoc, which established a common bank account for emergencies, health, and education.
• The use of CRiSTAL and CVCA has led the municipal government of Santa Teresa to integrate climate change adaptation into local development plans. This has resulted in the active promotion of reforestation programs, fuel-efficient stoves, and model farms, with neighboring municipalities also beginning to integrate similar adaptation strategies into their plans.

APA

International Institute for Sustainable Development (n.d.). CRiSTAL Stories: CRiSTAL Supports Climate-Resilient Development in the Peruvian Andes. https://www.iisd.org/system/files/publications/cristal_stories_peru.pdf

Chicago

International Institute for Sustainable Development. CRiSTAL Stories: CRiSTAL Supports Climate-Resilient Development in the Peruvian Andes. n.d. https://www.iisd.org/system/files/publications/cristal_stories_peru.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=International Institute for Sustainable Development |title=CRiSTAL Stories: CRiSTAL Supports Climate-Resilient Development in the Peruvian Andes |url=https://www.iisd.org/system/files/publications/cristal_stories_peru.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{internationalinstituteforsustainabledevelopmentndcristal, author = {{International Institute for Sustainable Development}}, title = {{CRiSTAL Stories: CRiSTAL Supports Climate-Resilient Development in the Peruvian Andes}}, institution = {International Institute for Sustainable Development}, url = {https://www.iisd.org/system/files/publications/cristal_stories_peru.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }