2011 – 2016 Caribbean Regional Resilience Development Implementation Plan (IP)
Aries Project: 202595;Component Code: 202595-101

The “Caribbean Regional Resilience Development Implementation Plan” is executed by the Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre (CCCCC) with the financial support of the Department for International Development (DFID), United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

Global climate change is arguably the most serious challenge to the development aspirations of the Caribbean region. During the 20th century the Caribbean’s mean temperature increased by approximately 0.6 degrees Celsius, mean sea level rose between 2 and 6 mm. per year during the period and rainfall variability has increased. It is estimated that 60% of the Caribbean population live within 1.5 kilometres of the coast, making them particularly susceptible to the vagaries of rising sea levels and its attendant threats such as:

  1. Salt water intrusion and a reduction and growing scarcity in freshwater resources
  2. Deteriorating coastal conditions through beach erosion and coral bleaching, which adversely affect local resources and reduce their value as tourist destinations
  3. Floods, storm surge,  erosion and other coastal hazards, exacerbated by sea-level rise that threaten vital infrastructure, settlements and facilities that support the livelihood of island communities

Other natural hazards have impacted the region and are expected to increase in intensity. On the basis of the vulnerabilities of the marine and coastal ecosystems, a change of 1.5°C is seen as the critical threshold. Climate change related events are already profoundly impacting the region’s geophysical, biological and socio-economic systems, depleting national budgets, compromising livelihoods and exacerbating poverty. According to the United Nations framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Fourth Assessment Report (2007) these natural hazards are expected to grow in intensity in the future.

Accordingly, the Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre, which has a mandate to coordinate the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) country’s response to climate change and with assistance from the Commonwealth secretariat, developed the Regional Framework for achieving Development Resilience to Climate Change.

With financial assistance from the Department for International Development (DFID) and the Climate Development Knowledge Network (CDKN), the Centre has finalized the Implementation Plan (IP) to actualize the Regional Framework document. The Implementation plan acknowledges that transformational change is essential to deliver the strategic elements and goals of the regional framework.

The IP highlights the existing and significant resource and capacity challenges that hold back the region’s sustainable development and growth and a more cogent and coordinated approach to assist in resource mobilization and co-ordination of actions. This programme is one such initiative at a comprehensive and coordinated mechanism to addressing climate change impacts in the region.

Aims and Objectives of the Programme

  • Expand knowledge and capacities through evidenced adaptation initiatives, and strengthen institutions for greater climate security.
  • Scale up delivery of adaptation programmes in a range of key vulnerable sectors that are critical for sustained and expanded livelihoods.
  • Support effective national, regional and international level climate architecture to deliver climate change/adaptation financing.

Rationale for the Programme

  1. Insufficient coordinating arrangement to actualize the IP and bring about transformational change and advocacy to ensure Caribbean governments plan and allocate resources for adaptation intervention
  2. Inadequate managing of coastal and marine resources for sustaining livelihoods
  3. The need to conduct further adaptation pilots/initiatives for increased resilience to climate change
  4. Insufficient fact-based and evidence-based work to strengthen the region’s negotiating position
  5. Insufficient national and regional level climate architecture to deliver climate change/adaptation financing

The Proposed Activities of the Project are to:

  1. Achieve better Resource Mobilization for National Adaptation Priorities (secured by CDB/regional facility).
    • Strengthen the CCCCC and related institutions to access carbon financing
    • Develop a portfolio of bankable projects
  2. Endorse collective Caribbean negotiating positions
    • Share information and coordinate between countries at COP MOP on CDM, REDD plus and other forest related initiatives
    • Enhance the region’s capacity for greater advocacy towards climate change investments and responses based on projected
      vulnerabilities, impacts and risks
  3. Develop and use stronger regional Monitoring, Reporting and Verification systems
    • Monitor and evaluate the activities within the IP
    • Develop a compendium of cost benefit  analyses of adaptation projects
  4. Sensitize national planning and finance ministries to integrate CC adaptation and risk management into their planning and resource allocation processes
    • Develop Climate Resilience National Development Strategies
      • Conduct Needs Assessment of CDB’s Staff
      • Conduct Sensitization workshops for CDB Staff and Regional Finance and Planning High Level Officials and Staff
        attachment
      • Update and revise Sourcebook on the Integration of National Hazards in the EIA process to accommodate climate
        resiliency information
    • Develop Low Carbon/Green Development Strategies
    • Plan country level Risk Management assessments conforming with revised CARICOM framework tool
  5. Map and value coastal and marine resources
    • Map and value coastal and marine ecosystems, habitats and assets
  6. Replicate needs-based demonstration adaptation Interventions in water resource management and critical buildings
    • Identify and present adaptation options
    • Produce project feasibility documents for pilots
    • Implement adaptation pilots
  7. Improve fisheries and coral reef diversity
    • Improve governance of coastal and marine resources
    • Develop a Communications and Marketing Strategy
    • Identify and develop alternative livelihood opportunities
    • Monitor marine populations using underwater cameras

Impact
Ultimately the impact of this programme will be that the Caribbean states and people are more resilient to climate change impacts.