Ecosystem-Based Adaptation to Climate Change in Caribbean Small Island Developing States: Integrating Local and External Knowledge

TLDR

Caribbean Small Island Developing States are highly vulnerable to climate change impacts such as sea‑level rise, extreme weather, and ecosystem disruption, making ecosystem‑based adaptation that leverages local and external knowledge essential for resilience. This paper critically reviews ecosystem‑based adaptation in Caribbean SIDS, emphasizing the integration of local and external knowledge. The authors analyze current EbA practices in the Caribbean and review methodologies for combining local and external expertise to guide adaptation. They identify key gaps, lessons learned, and propose ways forward for EbA in Caribbean SIDS and beyond.

Abstract

Caribbean Small Island Developing States (SIDS) are vulnerable to climate change impacts including sea level rise, invasive species, ocean acidification, changes in rainfall patterns, increased temperatures, and changing hazard regimes including hurricanes, floods and drought. Given high dependencies in Caribbean SIDS on natural resources for livelihoods, a focus on ecosystems and their interaction with people is essential for climate change adaptation. Increasingly, ecosystem-based adaptation (EbA) approaches are being highlighted as an approach to address climate change impacts. Specifically, EbA encourages the use of local and external knowledge about ecosystems to identify climate change adaptation approaches. This paper critically reviews EbA in Caribbean SIDS, focusing on the need to integrate local and external knowledge. An analysis of current EbA in the Caribbean is undertaken alongside a review of methodologies used to integrate local and external expertise for EbA. Finally key gaps, lessons learnt and suggested ways forward for EbA in Caribbean SIDS and potentially further afield are identified.