According  to the definiation of The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), climate change refers to: "any change in climate over time, whether due to natural variability or as a result of human activity". This usage differs from that in the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), which defines “climate change” as: “a change of climate which is attributed directly or indirectly to human activity that alters the composition of the global atmosphere and which is in addition to natural climate variability observed over comparable time periods”. 

Although there are some differences in definitions, it is an indisputable fact that climate change has had a widespread impact on the Central American region in recent years, affecting everything from agricultural productivity, water resources to health and livelihoods. The region is particularly vulnerable to extreme weather events such as hurricanes, droughts, and floods, which have become more frequent and severe due to the rising temperature. 

Agriculture remains the backbone of regional economy, encompassing livestock, forestry, and fisheries, yet it is also the sector most exposed to the adverse impacts of climate change. Prolonged droughts, irregular rainfall patterns, and soil erosion have significantly reduced yields, threatening the livelihoods of smallholder farmers who form the majority of the agricultural workforce. Efforts to transition to more sustainable practices such as climate-smart agriculture and water conservation are crucial to building resilience within the sector.

Urbanization and rapid population growth add further strain to the region's limited infrastructure. Vulnerable housing, inadequate water management systems, and insufficient access to healthcare services leave much of the population ill-equipped to handle natural disasters. These vulnerabilities create a cycle of risk, particularly in areas like the Dry Corridor, where climate variability is acute, and poverty rates are among the highest.