Commonwealth Caribbean Cities, Climate Change Adaptation and Resilience: Empowering Local Government

Abstract

Cities of Small Island Developing States face unprecedented challenges in climate change adaptation with local governments in these territories being increasingly called upon to respond to related natural hazards and deploy resources for planning, preparedness, emergency efforts and post-recovery initiatives in their communities. So far, very little research has been conducted on the paramount role and capacity of local governments in Commonwealth Caribbean Small Island Developing States to undertake climate change adaptation in an urban context and as an integral pathway to disaster-resilient development. This study investigates local government’s role in responding to climate change adaptation and the challenges it faces in performing this function in Commonwealth Caribbean cities. The research distilled the inputs of mayors and local government experts using interviews and drawing from their inputs at a stakeholder workshop. The study’s findings indicate that local governments within the region face many barriers to execute climate change adaptation initiatives. The paper suggests an array of credible policy measures and action that may be undertaken to empower Commonwealth Caribbean local governments in implementing climate change adaptation to enhance climate resilience within local communities, including central government’s role as an enabler.