'climate-sensitive' is a compound word formed from 'climate' and 'sensitive'. 'Climate' originates from the Greek word 'klima', meaning 'region' or 'zone', and 'sensitive' comes from the Latin word 'sensitivus', meaning 'capable of feeling'.

The term 'climate-sensitive' evolved in modern English to describe systems or regions that are particularly affected by climate changes.

Initially, 'sensitive' meant 'capable of feeling', but in this context, it evolved to mean 'responsive to changes'.