1. Climate Change, Adaptation and Sustainable Development:
Implications for the Least Developed Countries
and Small Island Developing States
Presentation by Anastasia Calnick
Ministry of Land and Environment
Kingston, Jamaica

2. Sustainable Development
“… development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs."
Sustainable development implies economic growth together with the protection of environmental quality, each reinforcing the other.
The World Commission on Environment and Development (1987).

3. Critical Facts
The 2001 IPCC reaffirmed the fact that the SIDS account for less than 1% of GHG emissions but are among the most vulnerable to the potential adverse effects of climate change and sea level rise
The region is already experiencing the impact of climate change, including extreme events and coral bleaching;
SIDS have no control of mitigation at the global level and therefore must implement appropriate adaptation strategies.

4. Vulnerabilities of Small Island Developing States
ECONOMIC
Isolation from markets & limited internal markets
Limited commodities & Dependence on imports
Vulnerability to external economic and financial shocks

5. Vulnerabilities of Small Island Developing States (cont’d)
SOCIAL
Migration (of high-skilled citizens)
Growth in Criminal Activities
Declining Public Health
Poor infrastructure (roads, public utilities)

6. Vulnerabilities of Small Island Developing States (Cont’d)
ENVIRONMENTAL
Small Size
Geographic dispersion
Vulnerability to Natural Disasters (hurricanes, cyclones, droughts, landslides, flooding, volcanic eruptions, earthquakes)
Fragility of ecosystems (coral reefs, wetlands, fresh water, coasts, forests, soils)
Limited natural resources & depletion of non-renewable resources

7. Observed Trends in Climate for SIDS
High Temperatures (mean annual values of 20°and above)
Annual average temperatures have increased by over O.5°over
Declining trend in average annual rainfall (250mm)
Increasing numbers and intensity of tropical storms and cyclones (26 named storms in 2005)
Sea-level rise (10 SIDs are approx. 1 metre above sea-level and sea level rise for the region is expected to be cm over the next 50 years)

8. IMPACTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE for SIDS- Sectors Affected
1.Marine Ecosystems (coral reefs, mangroves, sea-grasses,
2. Terrestrial Ecosystems (forests)
3. Biodiversity (population size, species distribution, habitats and ecosystems)
4. Water Resources (change in soil moisture, siltation and contamination of water supplies)
5. Agriculture (reduction in soil moisture & decrease in crop yield, sea water intrusion for coastal soils)
6. Fisheries (habitat loss,)
Orchid Policy not yet signed off on by NRCA and transmitted formally to MLE
Dolphin Policy (Meetings convened and document reviewed and revised). Outstanding comments to be sent to NEPA by November, 2005
Biosafety - - draft policy framework proposals to be reviewed by National Biosafety Committee
-Meeting to be held November 2005

9. IMPACTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE for SIDS- Sectors Affected (Cont’d)
7. Coastal Resources (coastal erosion, saline intrusion, flooding)
8. Infrastructure & Settlements (More than 50% of the pop. Live within 2Km of the coast- Over the last decade increasing density of populations living in coastal areas has made Caribbean SIDS more vulnerable to natural disaster
9. Tourism-(largest contribution to GDP & employment)
10. Human Health (heat strokes, vector–borne diseases-malaria, dengue, yellow fever)

10. IMPACTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE for SIDS
“…more than half of the world’s population currently live within 100 kilometres of the coast, and by2025 it is estimated that 6.3 billion persons, 75% of the world’s population will live in the coastal zone, in coastal mega cities, and many living in poverty…”
UNESCO

11. SELECTED HURRICANES IN THE CARIBBEAN AND THEIR IMPACT - 1988-2005
Year
Country
Impact (% GDP)
Gilbert
1988
Jamaica 65
Hugo
1989
Montserrat
200
Debbie
1994
St. Lucia 18
Luis & Marilyn
1995
Antigua
St. Kitts/Nevis 85
Georges
1998
50 (sugar harvest)
Lenny
1999
Barbuda
95 (primary sector)
Michelle
2001 1
Ivan
2004
Grenada
8.0
Dennis & Emily
2005
1.0

12. International Recognition of Special Circumstances of SIDS
Stockholm
1972
Rio
1992
Barbados
1994
Monterrey
Johannesburg
2002
New York
2000
Doha
2001
Natural Resources Conservation Authority (Amendment) Act – substantive amendments planned

13. Adaptation Strategies for SIDS
To address the vulnerability of SIDS to climate change, there is a need to
Improve the capacities of SIDS to adapt to climate change.
Strengthen further research, with the participation of SIDS, on predicting climate change and variability and the impact of climate change on environmental and economic systems.

14. Adaptation Strategies for SIDS
National level
Mainstream Adaptation and risk reduction strategies into policy development in key sectors (agriculture, health, tourism, fisheries, water resources)
Sustainable development planning should include, disaster prevention and management, integrated coastal management, and health care planning.
Reducing dependence on Petroleum through the development of Renewable Energy (wind, solar, biomass, biogas)
Develop new and review existing legislation, development standards and building codes
Improve public education and awareness programmes

15. Adaptation Strategies for SIDS
Improve early warning systems and disaster preparedness and risk reduction strategies
Improve the scientific understanding of severe weather events, including their relation to the El Niño/Southern Oscillation phenomenon.
Partnerships between SIDS and the Financial/Insurance sector to develop schemes to spread risks, reduce insurance premiums, expand insurance coverage and increase financing for post-disaster reconstruction and rehabilitation.
Closer cooperation between SIDS and the private sector, particularly in developed countries. Cooperation among SIDS for dissemination of best practices and lessons learnt should also be strengthened.

16. Adaptation Strategies for SIDS
REGIONAL LEVEL
Strengthening of regional networks for emergency preparedness
-GIS Hazard Mapping
-Early warning & emergency response systems
Regional approaches to disaster management
-coordinated responses
-emergency relief funds
Inter-regional information exchange

17. Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre (CCCCC)
The CCCCC was established in 2002 in Belize as the executing agency for the MACC project. The Centre operates as a CARICOM agency with independent management and serves as a regional institutional to articulate, support and sustain the programme of action on climate change adaptation in the Caribbean.

18. Adaptation Strategies for SIDS
INTERNATIONAL LEVEL
Encourage International Donor Assistance
Encourage International Ratification and Enforcement of Agreements aimed at reducing negative impact of climate change
Encourage the establishment of special fund to help finance disaster mitigation, preparedness and response activities

19. Adaptation Strategies - Jamaica
PROJECTS
GEF/UNDP Project - Preparation of National Communication on Climate Change
GEF/UNDP Project -Caribbean Planning for Adaptation to Climate Change (CPACC ( )
GEF Project- Mainstreaming Adaptation to Climate Change (MACC)- ( )
The UNDP/GEF National Capacity Self Assessment Project ( )
Latin American Energy Organisation (OLADE) Regional climate change initiative
UNDP/GEF Jamaica Climate Change Enabling Activity (JCCEA)

20. Adaptation Strategies - Jamaica
POLICIES & ACTION PLANS
The Forest Policy and the National Forest Management and Conservation Plan
The National Land Policy
The Agriculture Policy
National Irrigation Policy
Water Sector Policy
Draft Watersheds Policy
National Energy Sector Policy
National Biological Diversity Strategy and Action Plan
Disaster Mitigation Policy

21. Adaptation Strategies - Jamaica
Participation in the Clean Development Mechanism
Establishment of the Interim DNA in 2002
Approval of the Wigton (20MW)Wind Wind Farm Project (JAMAICA/THE NETHERLANDS)
Development of a Draft CDM Portfolio of Projects
Development of draft sustainable development criteria

22. Adaptation Strategies - Jamaica
Other Initiatives
Development of storm surge maps and multi-hazard assessment maps for Kingston
Reliable Early Warning Systems for hurricanes and storm surges
Technical Cooperation Agreement (JA/CUBA) for the Rehabilitation of the Palisadoes

23. THANK YOU