Climate Change Adaptation in the Caribbean

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The Caribbean is one of the regions most affected by climate change and extreme weather events (see e.g. IPCC 2014). Both represent a significant risk for small island developing states (SIDS). Many SIDS in the Caribbean have little financial leeway for urgently needed climate protection and climate adaptation measures. The EbA facility is intended to provide technical and financial support to SIDS in implementing ecosystem-based adaptation measures. There is a particular need for small and medium-sized EbA investments (on average around USD 0.5 million to 1.5 million) with targeted capacity support. The facility, set up as a redemption fund under the umbrella of the CBF (Caribbean Biodiversity Fund), is intended to complement the existing endowment fund (whose capital stock is maintained over the long term). This will enable the urgent need for short-term financing to be met. By promoting measures to protect, improve use and rehabilitate coastal ecosystems relevant for adaptation (especially coral reefs, mangroves and seagrass meadows), the aim is to contribute to reducing the vulnerability of SIDS to the negative impacts of climate change.