In the last few years global climate change has become of international importance as one of the worlds long-term challenges. In 1988 the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), with the backing of the European Union, confirmed that the likelihood of global change would increase if greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions continued to increase. After this the IPCC recommended that immediate planning was needed, especially with regard to coastal states needing to adapt to the expected impacts. This was first recommended in 1990 and then again in 1992 in the IPCC Global Climate Change and the Rising Challenge of the Sea Report of the Coastal Zone Management Sub-group; May 1992; that stated that action was needed now if adverse impacts were to be avoided.

Their recommendations stated that small island developing countries undertake measures that will reduce their vulnerability by effective management of their coastal zone. This was echoed in Agenda 21, 17.128 (b)

Existing impacts of climate change

In both the South East Asian SIDS and the Caribbean SIDS there have been economic and environmental impacts of climate change. Drought in Fiji in 1988 wiped out two thirds of their sugar crop, with the overall impact being 3% of the GNP. In Tonga the squash crop, which produces half of the exports by value, was cut by 50%.

So in response to the IPCC recommendations, and the basis for action outlined in Agenda 21 what has been done?

In the pacific the South Pacific Disaster Reduction Programme (SPDRP).

In the Caribbean; The Caribbean: Planning for Adaptation to Global Climate Change (CPACC). For the basis of this case study it is the CPACC that will be discussed.

The Caribbean Response

As in many countries, the coastal area has come under increasing stress, the Caribbean member states, CARICOM have been influential in ensuring cooperation and trade between the islands and also internationally. Although economically beneficial it has not been without its downsides. The coastal resources have come under increasing stress and it is widely considered that climate change will worsen the already prominent problems:

1. Intensification of human population and activities,
2. Increase in tourism,
3. Inadequate waste disposal,
4. Inadequate development schemes.

The Caribbean islands consist of Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Belize, Cuba, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Grenada, Haiti, Jamaica, St. Lucia, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Vincent).

Map from http://www.cpacc.org FAO, 2000)

Origin of the Caribbean response.

CPACC originated in conjunction with the 1994 Global Conference on the Sustainable development of Small Island Developing States in Barbados. The Caribbean small island states submitted the proposal to the Global Environment Fund (GEF). The project gained GEF approval in 1995 and was endorsed by the ministers involved. Each member country has been designated with a Project National Focal Point (NFP), for example Jamaica.

Overall project aim: To assist Caribbean SIDS to cope with the adverse effects of global climate change, especially sea level rise. To do this the project proposes to:

Strengthen regional capacity for monitoring and analysing climate and sea level dynamics and trends and to determine the immediate and possible impacts.

Develop integrated management and planning in terms of cost effectiveness for response and adaptation to the impacts of climate change on coastal and marine areas.

Identify particularly vulnerable areas

Enhance regional and national institutional arrangement for human resource development.

Identify options and instruments to develop long-term plans.

The project will assist the national governments, utilising the University of West Indies Centre for Environment and development (UWICED).

UWICED will follow the Agenda 21 management related activities, 17.130, 17.131, 17.134 and 17.136, reference to Agenda 21 data and information, international and regional cooperation and coordination, scientific and technical means and capacity building respectively. The project will be regional in its set-up and will rely on cooperation between the 11 participating countries.

The total cost of the project is expected to be US $6.3 million. Of this adaptation planning costs for the short-term are expected at US$3.5 million. US $2.2 million will have to be generated by the four regional components and US $1.3 million by the four national pilot components.

The above is all policy, but what has been actually done?

A Sea Level/Climate Change monitoring network.

With the help of the US National Ocean Service of the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), 18 tidal gauges have been installed as part of the Global Sea Level Observing System (GLOSS). NOAA is the major body overseeing the operation, with the Caribbean meteorological Institute (CMI) being the regional agency. A long-term fund for this has been set up of US $ 50, 000 and will also be supplemented with user fees.

Databases

The databases include SIDSNET along with Regional Archive centres linked with National Implementation Coordinating Units (NICUs) and Regional Project Implementation Units (RPIU). All participating countries will have training units and technical support.

Inventory of Coastal Resources and Uses

Collect valuable data needed for projects and to establish biodiversity.

Data collected will be physical, and that of the natural environment

All countries will have Geographic Information System (GIS)

Regional training courses.

Policy framework for integrated coastal zone management

Land use guidelines

Disaster contingency planning

Draft framework to be presented for CPACC representatives

Training to adapt framework for a specific countries needs

Pilot programmes include

1. Coral reef monitoring for climate change,
2. Coastal vulnerability and risk assessment,
3. Economic evaluation of coastal and marine resources,
4. Economic and regulatory policies,
5. National communication in response to UNFCCC.

Recommendations

The Caribbean small island developing states have made substantial progress compared to some of the other regions. However, there are still areas that need addressing. Waste management, especially sewage treatment, is still lacking in effectiveness in many SIDS and this needs to be rectified in order to reduce the level of organic matter being discharged into the marine environment. Other emerging issues also have to be considered, these include:

Effective contingency planning to accommodate the expected impacts of sea-level rise is required, such as the construction of hurricane resistant buildings.

Land use, the lack of available land for development is one of the issues that may threaten biodiversity and the health of coastal fringe ecosystems. It is feared that many small island states will begin land reclamation for tourism development. This in itself may result primarily in habitat destruction but may also affect sediment cycles in the long term, which would have further reaching consequences.

In conclusion, many small island developing states are in need of considerable aid in developing and implementing the many policies needed to accommodate the expected risks they face.