Small island states in the Caribbean are highly vulnerable to climate change impacts.

All 16 beneficiary countries under the Caribbean component of the Intra-ACP GCCA are Small Island Developing States (SIDS), hence generally recognised as highly vulnerable to the effects of climate change. The effects most threatening the island nations and their inhabitants are the increased hurricane frequency and intensity and the rises in sea level.

Over the past decade, the Caribbean region mainly focused on adaptation measures. Several programmes with a regional scope and approach have been implemented. The main ones include the Caribbean Planning for Adaptation to Climate Change (CPACC) Project funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF), the Adapting to Climate Change in the Caribbean (ACCC) Project funded by the World Bank, the Mainstreaming Adaptation to Climate Change (MACC) Project funded by the GEF, the Special Pilot Adaptation to Climate Change (SPACC) Project, also funded by the GEF, and the ongoing Pilot Programme for Climate Resilience (PPCR) funded by the Inter-American Development Bank.

Officially opened in 2005, the Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre coordinates the region’s response to climate change, working on effective solutions and project development. The Centre also provides climate change-related policy advice and guidelines to the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Member States, archives and hosts the Regional Clearinghouse for regional climate change data and documentation.

The Caribbean component of the Intra-ACP GCCA programme will further build on the results achieved by the earlier programmes. It has been designed to respond to identified gaps and priorities. In this sense, the Regional Policy Framework for Achieving Climate Change Resilient Development has been updated. The resulting document, called the Implementation Plan (IP) will form the basis for the implementation of the Intra-ACP GCCA programme in the Caribbean.

The Caribbean component promotes disaster risk reduction, mitigation & adaptation measures

Overall Objective: To support sustainable development in the Caribbean region, preserving the progress of the countries towards the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

Specific Objective: To enhance local, national and regional capacities and resilience in ways that link sustainable development, risk management, and adaptation for a win-win-win situation.

Main activities

  • Climate Monitoring
    The existing regional climate monitoring system will be expanded and integrated in the Global Climate Observing Systems (GCOS). Under the programme, an additional 106 hydro-meteorological stations and 6 Coral Reef Early Warning Stations (CREWS) will be installed. Also a system for adequate collection, digitizing and storage of data retrieved from the expanded monitoring system will be put in place. Finally, a protocol for sharing the information through the CCCCC’s Information Clearing House Facility will be developed.
  • Climate Modelling

    In view of enhancing the predictive powers of the climate models currently in use, the programme will support the development of improved models based on data at smaller resolutions. In this sense, an adequate system of national and regional data nodes will be put in place and further work on ensemble climate modelling and downscaling models will be undertaken. The required capacity will be built through a specific training programme.

    Once available, the use of the improved Climate Models in studies on climate impact will be promoted through regional workshops and through the implementation of about 10 Climate Impact Studies in the region. Obviously, reliable Climate Impact Studies will result in improved planning of adaptation measures and wider development.

  • Vulnerability and Risk Assessment

    Under this cluster, vulnerability and risk assessment techniques and methodologies will be developed and people will be trained in the application of the new methodologies.

    Subsequently, about 10 vulnerability assessments will be conducted in the field. This activity will be implemented in collaboration with the Caribbean Natural Resource Institute (CANARI) and the outcomes of the assessments will inform future land use planning, zoning and development planning.
    Also a number of risk and hazard assessments will be carried out and topographic maps indicating risk areas and levels will be produced in collaboration with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

  • Adaptation Projects

    The development and implementation of concrete Adaptation Projects will be based on the experiences gained under the Special Pilot Adaptation to Climate Change (SPACC) Project in St Lucia, Dominica and St Vincent and the Grenadines.
    Following the identification and screening (feasibility studies, participatory consultations) of potential adaptation interventions, at least 2 adaptation projects will be funded and implemented.

  • Access to Carbon Financing

    The programme aims to build regional and national capacity for increased access to available carbon financing. To enhance the region’s participation in the CDM, the programme will support (1) the establishment and operationalisation of Designated National Authorities (DNAs), (2) the development of criteria for a first order screening of project proposals in the area of renewable energy and (3) the participatory development and implementation of two renewable energy projects in indigenous communities. Further, in view of increasing the region’s preparedness to access REDD funding, the programme will organise a seminar on REDD. Emphasis will be put on enhancing the capacities in developing reference scenarios and in complying with Monitoring, Reporting and Verification requirements. Lead countries will be Guyana, Belize and Suriname.

Retrieved from http://archive.gcca.eu/pages/79_2-In-the-Caribbean.html

Technical Reports:

SectorCountryTechnical Report
AgricultureBarbadosVulnerability and Capacity Assessment (VCA) of the Agriculture sector of the Food Zone of Barbados
BelizeA National Adaptation Strategy (and Action Plan) to Address Climate Change in the Agriculture Sector in Belize
The Dominican RepublicVulnerability and Capacity Assessment (VCA) in climate change in the Agriculture in the Province of San Juan and subzone Hondo Valle, Dominican Republic
The Dominican RepublicEvaluación de la Vulnerabilidad y Capacidad (VCA) frente al cambio climático en la agricultura en la provincia de San Juan y Subzona de Hondo Valle en Elías Piña, República Dominicana
The Dominican RepublicNational Adaptation Strategy and Action Plan (NASAP) to Climate Change in the Agricultural sector, Dominican Republic 2014-2020
The Dominican RepublicEstrategia Nacional de Adaptación al Cambio Climático en el sector Agropecuario en la República Dominicana
Agriculture, Forestry, Fisheries & Aquaculture, Coastal & Marine, Tourism, Human Health, Human Settlements, Water Resources, EnergyBelizeNational Policy, Strategy & Action Plan for Belize
SurinameFinal National Climate Change Policy, Strategy and Action Plan for Suriname 2014-2021
SurinameFinaal Surinaams Nationaal Plan voor Beleid, Strategie en Actie inzake Klimaatverandering 2014-2021
Coastal & MarineAntigua and BarbudaVulnerability and Capacity Assessment in The South West Coast and Watershed Area of Antigua
TourismSaint LuciaImpact Assessment Report and National Adaptation Strategy and Action Plan to Address Climate Change in the Tourism Sector of Saint Lucia Volume I
Saint LuciaImpact Assessment and National Adaptation Strategy and Action Plan to address Climate Change in the Tourism Sector of Saint Lucia Volume II
WaterGrenadaVulnerability and Capacity Assessment for the Chemin Watershed Area in Grenada
St. Kitts and NevisImpact Assessment and National Adaptation Strategy and Action Plan Report for St. Kitts
St. Kitts and NevisVulnerability and Capacity Assessment and National Adaptation Strategy and Action Plan for St. Kitts and Nevis

Workshop Reports

Contact: Mr. Joseph McGann, Caribbean Programme Manager
jomac31@yahoo.com