How Small Island States Can Lead on Climate Adaptation – Global Center on Adaptation

Report on Climate Adaptation Strategy in Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

1.0 Introduction: The Imperative for Adaptation and SDG 13

A review by the Global Center on Adaptation (GCA), titled “Strategy and Planning to Redouble Adaptation in Small Island Developing States (SIDS),” assesses the strategic choices for policies and programs essential for climate change adaptation. Enhanced climate finance is crucial, but strategic planning is paramount for SIDS to build resilience against climate impacts, directly addressing the targets of SDG 13 (Climate Action).

2.0 National Strategic Planning and Institutional Frameworks

The GCA review evaluated national strategic adaptation documents across the Caribbean, the Pacific, and the Atlantic, Indian Ocean, and South China Sea (AIS) regions.

2.1 Progress on National Adaptation Plans (NAPs) and Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs)

• As of January 2024, significant progress has been made in formalizing climate strategies to meet the goals of SDG 13.
• 35 SIDS have submitted at least their first NDC.
• 10 SIDS have submitted a National Adaptation Plan (NAP).
• The depth and quality of these documents, along with the enabling environment for investment, show considerable variation among states.

2.2 Institutional Maturity and Governance

• Just over half of SIDS possess a mature institutional framework for climate adaptation action that integrates various ministries and government branches, a key component for achieving SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).
• Papua New Guinea is cited as an exemplary case, with a comprehensive framework guided by its Climate Change Management Act 2016, which drives climate initiatives across all government levels.

2.3 Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Systems

• Comprehensive M&E systems are critical for measuring progress towards adaptation goals and reporting on SDG 13 targets.
• A significant gap exists, with 22 SIDS having either only signaled an intent to develop an M&E system or provided no evidence of initiating the process.

3.0 Integration of Disaster Risk Reduction and Loss & Damage

The report highlights the synergy between Climate Change Adaptation (CCA) and Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR), noting that integrating these agendas enhances efficiency and impact, contributing to SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) and SDG 13.

• As of January 2024, 23 SIDS have incorporated loss and damage (L&D) considerations into their strategic adaptation documents.
• St. Kitts and Nevis included a dedicated L&D chapter outlining economic and non-economic losses.
• Vanuatu developed a separate L&D section with clear goals, finance estimates, and explicit connections to the SDGs, demonstrating a high level of commitment.

4.0 Sectoral Priorities for Climate Adaptation and SDG Linkages

The review found a need for SIDS to more clearly define priority sectors and measurable goals within strategic documents. Among 35 SIDS analyzed, only 13 provided measurable, time-bound goals with clear ownership and financial requirements.

4.1 Most Frequently Prioritized Sectors

1. Agriculture and Livestock (31 SIDS)
2. Water (27 SIDS)
3. Infrastructure (27 SIDS)
4. Health (26 SIDS)

4.2 Key Sectoral Actions and Relevant SDGs

• Agriculture (SDG 2: Zero Hunger): Actions include promoting climate-smart livestock management and adopting improved soil, land, and water management practices.
• Water (SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation): Priorities involve building climate-proof water infrastructure and implementing integrated water resources management (IWRM) programs.
• Infrastructure (SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure): Focus is on enhancing building codes, retrofitting critical infrastructure, and conducting vulnerability assessments.
• Health (SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being): Key actions include establishing early warning systems for diseases and retrofitting health facilities to climate-resilient standards.

4.3 Underrepresented Sectors and Missed SDG Opportunities

• Key economic sectors vulnerable to climate change receive insufficient attention, hindering progress on related SDGs.
• Oceans and Coastal Zones (SDG 14: Life Below Water): This sector was not identified as a priority by 11 SIDS.
• Human Settlements (SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities) and Tourism (SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth) are also underrepresented in national adaptation plans.

5.0 Barriers to Effective Adaptation

5.1 Climate Finance Deficits

• A lack of funding is a primary barrier, mentioned by all but four SIDS. This challenge directly impacts the implementation of actions across all SDGs.
• Only 10 of 35 SIDS have quantified their adaptation finance needs.
• Grenada stands out by establishing clear, budgeted adaptation goals for all sectors and allocating $1.4 million to secure external climate finance, treating finance as a distinct action program.

5.2 Information and Inclusivity Gaps

• A lack of climate information presents a significant challenge to effective adaptation planning.
• Adaptation planning often lacks a geographically and socially inclusive approach, which is essential for ensuring that vulnerable populations are not left behind, a core principle of the SDG agenda.

1. Relevant Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The article addresses several SDGs, primarily focusing on climate action and its intersection with various development sectors critical for Small Island Developing States (SIDS).

• SDG 13: Climate Action

  This is the central theme of the article. It discusses climate change adaptation, the development of National Adaptation Plans (NAPs) and Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), disaster risk reduction (DRR), and addressing loss and damage (L&D) in SIDS.

• SDG 2: Zero Hunger

  The article identifies “Agriculture and Livestock” as one of the most frequently prioritized sectors for adaptation in SIDS. It mentions actions like promoting climate-smart livestock management and adopting better soil, land, and water management practices, which are directly linked to ensuring food security in the face of climate change.

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

  Health is listed as a key priority sector. The article highlights SIDS’ focus on establishing early warning systems for climate-related diseases and retrofitting health facilities to withstand climate impacts, connecting climate adaptation directly to public health outcomes.

• SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation

  Water is identified as a top priority sector for adaptation. The article mentions SIDS are prioritizing actions such as building climate-proof water infrastructure and implementing integrated water resources management (IWRM) programs, which are essential for water security.

• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

  The article names “Infrastructure” as a critical sector for adaptation. It details plans for enhancing building codes to reflect climate considerations and retrofitting existing critical infrastructure, which aligns with the goal of building resilient infrastructure.

• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

  Although noted as “underrepresented,” the mention of “Human settlements” as a sector needing more attention in adaptation plans connects the article’s themes to the goal of making human settlements resilient and safe from climate-related disasters.

• SDG 14: Life Below Water

  The article points out a significant gap in planning, stating that “Eleven SIDS did not identify Oceans and Coastal Zones as a priority sector.” This highlights the relevance of SDG 14 to SIDS’ survival and the need to integrate marine and coastal ecosystem protection into climate adaptation strategies.

• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

  The article extensively discusses the need for “climate finance flows,” the challenges SIDS face in “accessing funding,” and the importance of institutional frameworks. This relates to the means of implementation, including finance and capacity-building, which are central to SDG 17.

2. Specific SDG Targets

Based on the article’s content, the following specific SDG targets can be identified:

1. Target 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries.

   The entire article focuses on this target, detailing SIDS’ efforts to plan for adaptation, integrate Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR), and address Loss and Damage (L&D) from extreme events.

2. Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies and planning.

   The article directly references this by assessing SIDS’ “national strategic adaptation documents,” “nationally determined contributions (NDCs),” and “national adaptation plans (NAPs).” The example of Papua New Guinea’s “Climate Change Management Act 2016” is a clear illustration of this integration.

3. Target 13.b: Promote mechanisms for raising capacity for effective climate change-related planning and management in… small island developing States.

   The review of SIDS’ strategic documents, the discussion of institutional frameworks, the need for Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) systems, and the identified barriers like lack of climate information all point directly to this target.

4. Target 2.4: Ensure sustainable food production systems and implement resilient agricultural practices… that strengthen capacity for adaptation to climate change.

   This is addressed by the prioritization of the “Agriculture and Livestock” sector and the specific actions mentioned, such as “adopting better soil, land, and water management practices” and “promoting climate-smart livestock management.”

5. Target 6.5: Implement integrated water resources management at all levels.

   The article explicitly mentions that SIDS are prioritizing the design and implementation of “integrated water resources management (IWRM) programs in watersheds” as a key adaptation action.

6. Target 9.1: Develop quality, reliable, sustainable and resilient infrastructure.

   This is reflected in the prioritization of the “Infrastructure” sector, with specific actions like “enhancing building codes to reflect climate considerations” and “retrofitting existing critical economic and social infrastructure.”

7. Target 3.d: Strengthen the capacity of all countries… for early warning, risk reduction and management of national and global health risks.

   The article connects to this target by highlighting actions in the “Health” sector, such as “establishing early warning systems for monitoring specific diseases” and conducting “public-awareness campaigns on climate-related health impacts.”

8. Target 17.3: Mobilize additional financial resources for developing countries from multiple sources.

   The article’s emphasis on the need to ramp up “climate finance flows,” the fact that “All but four SIDS mention a lack of funding as a barrier,” and Grenada’s plan to “secure external climate finance support” directly relate to this target.

3. Mentioned or Implied Indicators

The article provides several quantitative and qualitative data points that can serve as indicators to measure progress towards the identified targets.

• Indicator for Targets 13.1 and 13.2: Number of countries with national adaptation strategies.

  The article provides specific numbers: “As of January 2024, 35 SIDS had submitted at least the first version of their NDC and ten had submitted a NAP.”

• Indicator for Target 13.b: Existence of institutional frameworks and M&E systems.

  The article implies this indicator by stating that “just over half of SIDS have a mature institutional framework for climate adaptation” and that “22 SIDS… have either only signalled their intent to develop an M&E system or have not provided evidence of initiating the process.”

• Indicator for Target 13.1: Integration of disaster risk reduction and loss & damage into national planning.

  This is measured in the article, which states, “23 SIDS have mentioned the importance of loss and damage (L&D) considerations within their strategic adaptation documentation.”

• Indicator for Sectoral Adaptation (Targets 2.4, 3.d, 6.5, 9.1): Number of countries identifying priority sectors in adaptation plans.

  The article provides counts for the top four sectors: “Agriculture and Livestock (31), Water (27), Infrastructure (27), and Health (26).” It also notes that only 13 of 35 SIDS provide measurable goals for these sectors.

• Indicator for Target 17.3: Quantification of adaptation finance needs.

  The article directly measures this by stating, “Only ten SIDS out of 35 quantified their adaptation finance needs estimates.” The mention of Grenada allocating “$1.4 million for adaptation activities within its finance sector” is a specific financial indicator.

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: gca.org