The Database Management System for Regional Integrated Observing Network for Environmental Change in the Wider Caribbean (DMS) is an initiative to have an operational integrated observing (data management) network that can enable comprehensive assessment of environmental change at the regional and national levels. It can be effectively used to meet the needs of adaptation and planning.

The need for such a regional DMS is informed by previous initiatives in the region. Such initiatives include the Caribbean Planning for Adaptation to Climate Change (CPACC) and the Mainstreaming Adaptation to Climate Change (MACC) projects implemented by the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) from 1997 to 2001 and 2002 to 2007 respectively. These projects sought to address the impacts of Climate Change as well as integrated coastal management and watershed planning.

An important outcome of these efforts was a further recognition, by CARICOM countries, of the need for data and information which can improve the understanding of environmental change and impacts of sea -level change at the national and regional levels. Such data would contribute to effective decision-making in Climate Change adaptation.

The goal of the DMS project is to build regional capacity in responding to the challenges and adverse impacts of Climate Change in the Caribbean. The purpose is to develop a regional operational Database Management System which would facilitate the open access to data products useful for observing environmental change in the wider Caribbean. It would support a regional observing network, as a Regional Public Good. The activities for this “Regional Public Good” project were piloted in six countries namely: Barbados, Belize, The Commonwealth of Dominica, Guyana, and St. Lucia.

The activities pursued under the project are of particular importance as the region positions itself to build a robust response to the impacts of Climate Change and Climate Variability as it attempts to deliver on the Implementation Plan associated with the Regional Framework for Achieving Development Resilient to Climate Change.