The CARIBSAVE Climate Change Risk Atlas (CCCRA)

Climate change is a serious and substantial threat to the economies of Caribbean nations, the livelihoods of communities and the environments and infrastructure across the region.  The CARIBSAVE Climate Change Risk Atlas (CCCRA) Phase I, funded by UKaid from the Department for International Development and the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID), was conducted from 2009 – 2011.  The CCCRA successfully used evidence-based, inter-sectoral approaches to examine climate change risks, vulnerabilities and adaptive capacities; and develop pragmatic response strategies to reduce vulnerability and enhance resilience in 15 countries across the Caribbean (Anguilla, Antigua & Barbuda, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, The Dominican Republic, Grenada, Jamaica, Nevis, Saint Lucia, St. Kitts, St. Vincent & the Grenadines, Suriname and the Turks & Caicos Islands).

The CCCRA provides robust and meaningful new work in the key sectors and focal areas of: Community Livelihoods, Gender, Poverty and Development; Agriculture and Food security; Energy; Water Quality and Availability; Sea Level Rise and Storm Surge Impacts on Coastal Infrastructure and Settlements; Comprehensive Disaster Management; Human Health; and Marine and Terrestrial Biodiversity and Fisheries. This work was conducted through the lens of the tourism sector; the most significant socio-economic sector to the livelihoods, national economies and environments of the Caribbean and its’ people.

The field work components of the research and CARIBSAVE’s commitment to institutional strengthening in the Caribbean have helped to build capacity in a wide selection of ministries, academic institutions, communities and other stakeholders in the areas of: climate modelling, gender and climate change, coastal management methods and community resilience.  Having been completed for 15 countries in the Caribbean Basin, this work allows for inter-regional and cross-regional comparisons leading to lesson learning and skills transfer.

Main outputs from the CCCRA include:

1. Full Climate Change Risk Profiles for 15 countries:
   • Anguilla
   • Antigua and Barbuda
   • The Bahamas
   • Barbados
   • Belize
   • Dominica
   • The Dominican Republic
   • Grenada
   • Jamaica
   • Nevis
   • Saint Lucia
   • St. Kitts
   • St. Vincent and the Grenadines
   • Suriname
   • Turks and Caicos Islands
2. Climate Change Risk Profile Summary Documents and Snapshots for 15 countries:
   • Anguilla Summary Document; Anguilla Snapshot
   • Antigua and Barbuda Summary Document; Antigua and Barbuda Snapshot
   • The Bahamas Summary Document ; The Bahamas Snapshot
   • Barbados Summary Document; Barbados Snapshot
   • Belize Summary Document ; Belize Snapshot
   • Dominica Summary Document; Dominca Snapshot
   • The Dominican Republic Summary Document; The Dominican Republic Snapshot
   • Grenada Summary Document ; Grenda Snapshot
   • Jamaica Summary Document; Jamaica Snapshot
   • Nevis Summary Document; Nevis Snapshot
   • Saint Lucia Summary Document; Saint Lucia Snapshot
   • St. Kitts Summary Document; St. Kitts Snapshot
   • St. Vincent and the Grenadines Summary Document; St. Vincent and the Grenadines Snapshot
   • Suriname Summary Document; Suriname Snapshot
   • Turks and Caicos Island Summary Document; Turks and Caicos Island Snapshot
3. Briefing Note
4. An interactive online Caribbean map of the Risk Atlas and all Outputs on the CARIBSAVE website

A further very important aspect of the CCCRA is the democratisation of climate change science. This was conducted through targeted awareness, tools (e.g. data visualisation, GIS imagery, animated projections and short films), and participatory approaches (workshops and vulnerability mapping) to improve stakeholder knowledge and understanding of what climate change means for them. Three short films, in high-resolution format of broadcast quality, are some of the key outputs.  These films are part of the Partnerships for Resilience series and include: ‘Climate Change and Tourism’; ‘Caribbean Fish Sanctuaries’; and ‘Living Shorelines’.

The work completed in the CCCRA is consistent with the needs of Caribbean Small Island and Coastal Developing States, many of which are identified in the Regional Framework for Achieving Development Resilient to Climate Change that has been endorsed by the CARICOM Heads of Government.  Strategic recommendations in each of the Climate Change Risk Profiles are presented in the form of initial action plans, which will further support Implementation Plan (IP) for the Framework.