Strengthening local resilience to global climate change through an innovative integration of coastal vulnerability and SWOT analyses

Coastal regions worldwide urgently require robust strategies to strengthen resilience against climate change. This study introduces an innovative framework that integrates the composite vulnerability index (CVI) with a Strength-weakness-opportunity-threat (SWOT) analysis, effectively bridging the gap between quantitative vulnerability assessment and actionable planning. The framework systematically translates multi-dimensional vulnerability scores into prioritized SWOT components, supported by observational data, enabling evidence-based stakeholder engagement in decision-making under climate uncertainty. We apply the framework on the north coast of Bekasi Regency, Indonesia, a low-lying coastal area severely threatened by sea-level rise (SLR), land subsidence, and rapid urbanization. The analysis quantified coastal vulnerability under multiple SLR scenarios and derived a strategic profile highlighting significant threats and weaknesses. The analysis revealed slightly higher threats (T = –0.03) and strong weaknesses (W = –0.63), suggesting a defensive and survival-oriented strategic approach. Priorities include reducing weaknesses, such as high-density settlements in hazard-prone zones, and mitigating threats like uncontrolled land-use change through adaptive and defensive measures. This replicable CVI–SWOT framework provides a clear way to transform complex vulnerability data into actionable strategies, offering practical guidance for coastal management and stakeholders.