Report of the

Brainstorming Workshop
On Adaptation to Climate Change
in Caribbean Disaster Risk
Management
JUNE 6 7, 2002
Pommarine Hotel, Barbados

Prepared by the
Caribbean Disaster Emergency Response Agency
For the
Organization of American States
June 2001
1.0

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES

Report of the Adaptation to Climate Change in the Caribbean

Disaster Risk Management Brainstorming Workshop June 6 7, 2002
Page 1

A recognition of the need to incorporate disaster management concerns into regional

Climate Change initiatives led to the convening of the Adaptation to Climate Change in
the Caribbean Disaster Risk Management Brainstorming Workshop in Barbados June 6
7, 2002.

The specific objectives of this workshop were to discuss emerging issues and the
potential strategies for adapting to climate change impacts on the disaster risk
management sector in the Caribbean, in the context of the upcoming
Mainstreaming Adaptation to Climate Change (MACC) Project.
This paper summarizes the key issues linking climate change and disaster
management. Expected outputs of the process are:
I.

Recommended areas and focus for addressing climate change in disaster

risk management under MACC

II.

Recommended institutional arrangements and objectives to guide and

implement the mainstreaming process

III.

A recommended outline plan of action for execution under MACC

The workshop agenda is attached at Appendix 1.

2.0

PARTICIPATION
Participants were national and regional disaster management practitioners, climate
change and meteorological experts drawn from both national and regional institutions.
A list of participants and contact information is attached at Appendix 2.

3.0

WORKSHOP PRESENTATIONS
3.1

Risk Management as an Approach for Adapting to Climate Change in the

Caribbean Dr. Neville Trotz, CPACC/RPIU
This presentation outlined the risk management concept through identification of
key strengths, outlining assumptions and providing definitions of concepts such
as hazard; vulnerability; risk; and risk analysis. The utilization of the risk
management approach in the Adaptation to Climate Change Project (ACCC) was
explained. Under this project, risk management is being used to integrate climate
change into the physical planning process utilizing the Canadian Standard - Risk
Management Guidelines for Decision Makers. The main objective of this activity
is to build capacity for integrating adaptation to climate change risks into physical
planning in the private sector and governments, using a risk management
approach. As a component of this, Risk Management training interventions have
been carried out for various sectors including tourism, finance, water and
agriculture.

Report of the Adaptation to Climate Change in the Caribbean

Disaster Risk Management Brainstorming Workshop June 6 7, 2002
Page 2

The practical application of the risk management approach under the

Comprehensive Hazard and Risk Management (CHARM) Project for the South
Pacific was outlined. It was stated that the risk management process for the
adapting to Climate Change Impacts in the Caribbean will be utilized using the
combined approach of established Canadian Standards the strengths of the
CHARM project which are applicable to the Caribbean region.
3.2

Issues in Mainstreaming Climate Change in Disaster Risk Management

Jeremy Collymore, CDERA
The CDERA Coordinator identified key hazard implications of climate change for
the Caribbean including potential effects on the frequency and occurrence of
hurricanes and tropical storms, inland and coastal flooding and drought.
Key points for consideration were identified including the need to recognize the
distinction between present climate variability and future climate change; the
need to adapt to present climate variability as a first step towards addressing
future climate change; the need for a risk reduction approach and the need for a
multi-sectoral approach to managing climate change implications for disaster
management.
A number of possible interventions were proposed for consideration in the
upcoming MACC project under the key areas of capacity building, technical
studies and data needs and adaptation options. Possible capacity enhancement
activities included model plans and policies for drought, relocation and
evacuation; documentation of successful practices, strengthening the capacity of
national disaster managers to cope with the impacts of climate variability and
change and incorporating Climate Change concerns into the Comprehensive
Disaster management agenda.
It was suggested that technical studies and data needs could be addressed
through impact scenario development and the incorporation of outputs into risk
management and development initiatives.
Possible adaptation options were outlined and guiding principles for
implementation including focusing on practical solutions, multi-stakeholder
involvement, self- directed intervention and the need to base interventions on
current climate variability were outlined.

4.3

Increasing the Resilience to Hurricanes as a strategy for Managing Climate

Change Risk Jan Vermeiren, OAS
This presentation outlined the three options for response to the potential impacts
of climate change wait for certainty of impacts, prepare now for worse case
scenario and the application of a strategy of adaptation.
The possible impacts of climate change on oceans and coastal areas, land areas
and the built environment were reviewed and the implications of climate change
on the loss frequency curve both in increasing losses from impacts but also from
the increased probability of incidence was explained.

Report of the Adaptation to Climate Change in the Caribbean

Disaster Risk Management Brainstorming Workshop June 6 7, 2002
Page 3

The need for improving the knowledge base for decision-making was indicated
and the investment in climate hazard assessments suggested as a strategy for
filling this knowledge gap. Examples of hazard assessment for storm surge in
Belize; waves in Antigua, and wind in St. Kitts were demonstrated.
Possible adaptation interventions for the existing and proposed (new) built
environment were proposed and the possible implication for unplanned
development highlighted. Key conclusions included the recognition of reducing
vulnerability to near term hazards as an effective strategy for reducing long term
climate change risk; the need for a sound regional knowledge base and the key
role of educating the public on the issue of climate change.
4.0

PANEL DISCUSSION:
This session was chaired by Dr. Balfour Spence of the Mona Campus, University of the
West Indies. Brief statements were made by the panelists as follows:
4.1

Dr. Cassandra Rogers Caribbean Development Bank Disaster Mitigation

Facility for the Caribbean (CDB/DMFC)
Dr. Rogers noted the lack of information existing with respect to risk from climate
change and further noted the lack of capacity within the region for addressing
these issues. Two proposed CDB/DMFC interventions which could contribute to
addressing the potential impacts of climate variability and climate change were
mentioned:
i.

ii.

4.2

Natural Hazard Impact Assessment (NHIA) The CDB representative

indicated that the Bank is spearheading the development of guidelines for
NHIA which is to be developed as a component of the Environmental
Impact Assessment Process. It is expected that this process will be
applied to all CDB financed projects.
Hazard and Vulnerability Assessment The CDB representative indicated
the Banks intention to support such initiatives through the University of
the West Indies and the Caribbean Institute for Meteorology and
Hydrology.

Horace Burton Caribbean Institute for Meteorology and Hydrology (CIMH)

The CIMH representative indicated to the meeting that no climate forecasting per
se was currently occurring in the region. At present a three (3) month
precipitation forecast is done by the CIMH. However, it was noted that there is
archived climate data for approximately forty (40) years for some countries within
the region. These data sets may however not be complete. It was noted however,
that there is a possibility of utilizing this data for predicting climate change to the
extent possible.

4.3

Nigel Adams Barbados Fire and Commercial Insurance

Mr. Adams noted that in the past insurance and re-insurance predictions have
been based on the wind hazard only. Re-insurers have indicated that future

Report of the Adaptation to Climate Change in the Caribbean

Disaster Risk Management Brainstorming Workshop June 6 7, 2002
Page 4

decisions may be based not only on wind but also on flooding and storms. This
would have increased cost implications for the regional insurance industry.
A number of approaches were proposed including: pro-activity of the insurance
sector to place pressure on government and the private sector to recognize the
potential impacts of climate change; the need for CARICOM to raise the profile of
the climate change insurance link on the regional agenda.
5.0

6.0

7.0

ISSUES FOR CONSIDERATION

I.

Existing institutional frameworks need to be utilized to the extent possible

in the implementation of the MACC Project;

II.

Risk management models (other than the Canadian model) exist and
should be analyzed for usefulness within the region;

III.

An inventory of regional resources for addressing adaptation to climate

variability and change (including human resources) may be useful;

IV.

The disaster management climate change link may need to be viewed

as mainstreaming climate variability and change into disaster
management such that all disaster rehabilitation efforts take climate
variability and change into consideration;

V.

Disaster management climate change interventions should keep

existing sectoral initiatives in view, for example, initiatives in the tourism
sector.

POINTS OF CONSENSUS
6.1

Climate variability and change interventions in disaster management should be

developed within the broader Comprehensive Disaster Management framework

6.2

Regional insurers need to be brought together to reach consensus on the climate

change issue for the regional insurance industry

6.3

Public education and outreach must be a key strategy component in addressing

climate variability and change form a disaster management perspective

6.4

Climate variability is an area which should be studied more thoroughly in order to

prepare for a better understanding of climate change and its potential impacts.

MEETING RECOMMENDATIONS
7.1

The CARICOM Working Party on Insurance/Re-insurance should be reactivated

particularly in view of the potential implication of climate variability and change on
the regional insurance sector

7.2

MACC should incorporate consideration of drought management under an

appropriate project component. CDERA may be identified as a collaborating
partner in this initiative

7.3

The updating process of the Caribbean Uniform Building Code (CIBIC) should
pay due attention to the issue of climate variability and climate change
Report of the Adaptation to Climate Change in the Caribbean
Disaster Risk Management Brainstorming Workshop June 6 7, 2002
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7.4

The meeting proposed a menu of possible disaster management climate

variability and change interventions to be included under the upcoming MACC
Project. Recommendations were made under the three key areas of Capacity
Building, Technical Studies and Data Needs and Adaptation Options.

7.4.1 Capacity Building: Potential areas of Capacity Building focus under the
MACC project were identified as Building the capacity of:
a.

National Disaster Managers

variability and Change through

to

adapt

to

Climate

i. Sensitization workshops;
ii. The development of guidelines and conducting training
in incorporating climate variability and change into
disaster programming;
iii. Documentation of successful practices of integrating
climate variability and change considerations in
disaster management;
iv.

The integration of climate variability and change

considerations in national CDM strategies

b.

Regional meteorological institutions to address

adaptation to climate variability and change with a specific
focus on the ENSO phenomena

c.

National meteorological services to address climate

variability and change with a focus on the ENSO
phenomena through training interventions

d.

Communities to address the potential impacts of climate

variability and change

e.

Regional Insurers to address the potential impacts of

climate variability and change

f.

Regional institutions to address the potential impacts of

climate variability and change through strengthened
institutional linkages between the CCCCC and key
disaster management organizations.

7.4.2 Technical Studies and Data Needs: Two main areas of intervention
were identified as follows:

Report of the Adaptation to Climate Change in the Caribbean

Disaster Risk Management Brainstorming Workshop June 6 7, 2002
Page 6

a.

An assessment of the potential impacts of projected climate

changes on at least one pilot community (focus on coastal
hazards)

b.

To determine the possible implications of the ENSO phenomena

on the Caribbean region for specific sectors including inter alia
disaster management, water resources management, the tourism,
agriculture and insurance sectors

7.4.3 Adaptation Options: Potential areas of intervention were identified as

follows:
a.

The development and evaluation of approaches to

adaptation responses through
i. Estimation of effectiveness and costs of adaptation
options
ii. Identification of opportunities for and obstacles to
adaptation within the Caribbean Region

b.

The development of public-private partnerships which

increase the awareness of risk and contribute to risk
reduction in view of the potential impacts of climate
variability and change

The potential areas of focus under the MACC Project are detailed in
Appendix 3.

Report of the Adaptation to Climate Change in the Caribbean

Disaster Risk Management Brainstorming Workshop June 6 7, 2002
Page 7

8.0

WAY FORWARD
The OAS representative outlined the way forward following the meeting as follows:
8.1

8.2

The disaster management component to be incorporated into the MACC

document for submission as a Project Appraisal Document to the World Bank by
September, 2002. Ahead of this,
8.1.1

the document will be shared at the regional level and national levels for
comment during August, 2002

8.1.2

An examination of all project component areas will take place to examine

interfaces and identify opportunities for synergies between project
components

8.1.3

Consideration will be given to budget and institutional arrangements for

project implementation

8.1.4

Final meeting of national focal points late August 2002

Expected project start up Early 2003

Report of the Adaptation to Climate Change in the Caribbean

Disaster Risk Management Brainstorming Workshop June 6 7, 2002
Page 8

APPENDIX 1 FINAL WORKSHOP AGENDA

Adaptation to Climate Change in Caribbean
Disaster Risk Management
Brainstorming Workshop
Pommarine Hotel, Barbados - June 6-7, 2002
Objective:
To discuss emerging issues and the potential strategies for adapting to climate change
impacts on the disaster risk management sector in the Caribbean, in the context of the
upcoming Mainstreaming Adaptation to Climate Change (MACC) project.
Expected Outputs:
-

Recommend areas and focus for addressing climate change in disaster risk
management under MACC
Recommend institutional arrangements and objectives to guide and implement the
mainstreaming process
Recommend an outline for a plan of action for execution under MACC

Day One
8:30- 9:00

Welcome and Objectives of the Workshop:

Welcome: Jeremy Collymore, CDERA
Moving from CPACC to MACC: Neville Trotz CPACC RPIU
Workshop Objectives Jan Vermeiren, OAS

9:00-9:30

Risk Management as an approach for Adapting to Climatge

Change in the Caribbean. Neville Trotz, CPACC-RPIU

9:30-10:00

Issues in Mainstreaming Climate Change in Disaster Risk

Management. - Jeremy Collymore, CDERA

10:00-10:30

Coffee Break

10:30-11:00

Increasing Resilience to Hurricanes as a strategy for Managing

Climate Change Risk - Jan Vermeiren, OAS

Report of the Adaptation to Climate Change in the Caribbean

Disaster Risk Management Brainstorming Workshop June 6 7, 2002
Page 9

11:00-12:00

Panel Discussion on Adapting to Climate Change in Disaster

Risk Management. Four Panelists will each make a brief
statement on the key issues they perceive as affecting disaster risk
management. This is followed by a general discussion.
Moderator: Dr. Balfour Spence University of the West Indies

Climate Change and the Caribbean Insurance Industry Nigel

Adams, Barbados Fire and Commercial Insurance, Barbados
Managing disaster risk in the context of the CDB Cassandra
Rogers, Consultant Project Manager, Disaster Mitigation Facility,
CDB
Data needs for forecasting and decision making Horace
Burton, CIMH

12:00-1:00

Lunch

1:00-2:00

Outline for Preliminary Work plan . OAS and CDERA will provide
guidance for the working group meetings scheduled for the next
session and will identify the expected format for the outputs in
terms of outlining a work plan for mainstreaming CC in disaster risk
management under the MACC project.

2:00-3:30

Working Group Meetings to outline priority needs and activities

for adapting to climate change in disaster risk management,
focusing on the following areas:

Capacity Building

Technical Studies and Data needs

Adaptation Options

3:30-3:45

Coffee Break

3:45-5:30

Working Group Meetings continued

Report of the Adaptation to Climate Change in the Caribbean

Disaster Risk Management Brainstorming Workshop June 6 7, 2002
Page 10

Day Two
9:00-10:30

Results of the Working Group Meetings

-

Individual presentations on the results of the Working Groups

Meetings (15 minutes each)

Discussion - All

10:30-10:45

Coffee Break

10:45-11:30

Outlining a Preliminary Work plan- Integrating the contributions

of the working groups into a work plan for MACC

11:30-12:15

Way Forward and Recommendations

-

12:15

Discussion
Synthesis

END OF WORKSHOP

Report of the Adaptation to Climate Change in the Caribbean

Disaster Risk Management Brainstorming Workshop June 6 7, 2002
Page 11

APPENDIX 2 PARTICIPANTS LIST

Adaptation to Climate Change in the Caribbean Disaster Risk Management Brainstorming Workshop
June 6-7, 2002
Participants List
NAME

ORGANIZATION

TELEPHONE

FAX

EMAIL

1.
2.

Derrick Oderson
Horace Burton

Ministry of Physical Development and Environment, Barbados

Caribbean Institute for Meteorology and Hydrology, Barbados

(246) 431 7684

(246) 425 1362/3

(246) 437-8859
(246) 424 4733

meenr@sunbeach.net
hhpburt@inaccs.com.bb

3.

Milton Creque

Civil Aviation, BVI

(284) 494 3829

(284) 494 3437

aviation@bvigovernment.org

4.
5.

Jan Vermeiren
Elizabeth Riley

(202) 458 3006

(246) 436 9651

(202) 458 3560

(246) 437 7649

jvermeiren@oas.org
cdera@caribsurf.com

6.

Jeremy Collymore

(246) 436 9651

(246) 437 7649

cdera@caribsurf.com

7.

(246) 431 1655

(246) 426 7269

rogers@caribank.org

8.

Dr. Cassandra
Rogers
Dr. Ulric Trotz

Unit for Sustainable Development of the OAS, Washington

Caribbean Disaster Emergency Relief Agency (CDERA),
Barbados
Caribbean Disaster Emergency Relief Agency (CDERA),
Barbados
Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), Barbados
Adapting to Climate Change in the Caribbean (ACCC) Project,
Barbados

(246) 417-4580/81

(246) 417 0461

trotzcpacc@sunbeach.net

9.

Ian King

Adapting to Climate Change in the Caribbean (ACCC) Project,

Barbados
Adapting to Climate Change in the Caribbean (ACCC) Project,
Barbados
Barbados Fire and Commercial Insurance Co.
National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), St. Kitts &
Nevis
U.W.I., Mona, Jamaica

(246) 417-4580/79

(246) 417 0461

kingcpacc@sunbeach.net

(246) 417-4580/83

(246) 417 0461

clarkecpacc@sunbeach.net

(246) 431 2871

(869) 466 5100

(246) 228-8266
(869) 466 5310

N_Adams@Goddent.com
nemaskb@caribsurf.com

National Emergency Relief Organization (NERO), Grenada

(473) 440 0838

10. Judi Clarke

11. Nigel Adams
12. Carl Herbert
13. Dr. Balfour
Spence
14. Joyce Thomas

(876) 927 2129

bspence@uwimona.edu.jm
(473) 440 8370

Report of the Adaptation to Climate Change in the Caribbean

Disaster Risk Management Brainstorming Workshop June 6 7, 2002
Page 12

jthomascalliste@yahoo.com

APPENDIX 3
CLIMATE CHANGE AND DISASTER MANAGEMENT: POTENTIAL AREAS OF FOCUS UNDER THE MACC PROJECT
Area Of Focus
1.0
Building

Capacity

Intervention

Possible Activities

Outputs

1.1 Building the Capacity of

National Disaster Management
Institutions to adapt to climate
variability and climate change

1. Sensitization workshops for national

disaster managers in all aspects of
climate variability and change

Guidelines for disaster management

managers
on
methodologies
for
incorporating climate variability and
change considerations in disaster
management programming

2. Development of guidelines for

disaster managers on methodologies
for the incorporation of climate
variability and change considerations in
Disaster programming

Establishment of knowledge transition

agents for dissemination of climate
variability and change information at
the national and community level

3.
Utilizing
guidelines
produced,
conduct training for national disaster
mangers on the incorporation of
climate
variability
and
change
considerations in disaster management
programming

A cadre of disaster management

professionals trained in the methods of
incorporating climate variability and
change considerations in disaster
management programming

4. Identification and documentation of

successful practices as it pertains to
Climate
variability
and
change
strategies in disaster management

1. Documented successful practices on

adaptation of climate change strategies
in disaster management

CDERA;
CCCCC;
CIMH; NDOs; UWI

5. Incorporation of Climate variability

and
change
considerations
into
national CDM Strategies
1. Review mandates of existing
regional and national institutions
responsible for climate data in view of
the new challenges faced by climate
variability and change

1. Strategies for the incorporation of

Climate
variability
and
change
considerations into CDM programming
1. Strengthened regional institutions to
address climate variability and climate
change

CDERA;
CCCCC

Rationale:
Disaster
Managers
within the region will be relied
upon to address the potential
hazard impacts of climate change.
To
facilitate
this,
a
clear
understanding
of
the
issues
associated with the climate change
phenomena for the region is
required as well as guidance on
possible
methods
for
the
incorporation of climate change
considerations
into
policies,
programmes and projects.

1.2 Build the capacity of regional

meteorological
institutions
to
address adaptation to climate
variability and change focus on
the ENSO phenomena
Rationale:
Limited
capacity
currently exists within the region
for the sourcing of data and the
analysis of impacts of ENSO trends
on the region

2. Support the efforts of regional

meteorological
professionals
in
monitoring, analyzing and utilizing
outputs of existing regional data and
internationally sourced data on the
ENSO phenomena

2. Climate products to meet the needs

of national meteorological offices and
national resources managers

Report of the Adaptation to Climate Change in the Caribbean

Disaster Risk Management Brainstorming Workshop June 6 7, 2002
Page 13

Possible
Collaborating
Partners
CDERA;
NDOs;
CIMH; UWI; CCCCC

CDERA;
NDOs;
CIMH; UWI; CCCCC

CDERA;
NDOs;
CIMH; UWI; CCCCC;

NDOs;

CIMH; UWI; CCCCC;

CDERA

Area Of Focus

Intervention

Possible Activities

Outputs

Possible
Collaborating
Partners
CIMH; UWI; CCCCC;
CDERA;
National
meteorological
services

1.3 Build the capacity of national

meteorological services to address
climate variability and change
focus on the ENSO phenomena

Train
national
meteorological
professionals to analyze data and
information on ENSO phenomena

A cadre of trained meteorological

professionals at the national level in
analyzing and utilizing information on
ENSO

1. Public education initiatives

lectures, brochures, pamphlets

Communities sensitized to the potential

impacts
and
methodologies
for
community adaptation to climate
variability and change

NDOs;
CDERA;
CCCCC; Media

1. Sensitizing campaigns to inform the

insurance industry of the potential
impacts of climate change

Insurance Sector sensitized to the

potential impacts of climate change

CCCCC; Insurance
Sector; CDERA

1. Integrate climate variability and

change issues into the programme for
the implementation of the regional
Comprehensive Disaster Management
Strategy.

1. Strengthened institutional capacity

for managing climate variability and
change

CDERA;
NDOs;

Rationale:
Limited
capacity
currently exists at the national
level for the Interpretation of ENSO
trends
1.4 Strengthen the capacity of
communities
to
address
the
potential
impacts
of
climate
variability and climate change
Rationale: Communities need to be
aware of their vulnerability to
climate variability change and
develop and apply community
adaptation
strategies
as
appropriate
1.5 Strengthen the capacity of
regional insurers to address the
potential
impacts
of
climate
variability and change
Rationale: The regional insurance
industry has a key role to play in
encouraging the use of adaptation
measures for climate variability
and
change
by
government,
private sector and home owners
1.6
Strengthen
institutional
linkages between CCCCC and key
disaster
management
organizations
Rationale: Key institutions already
exist within the region in the

Report of the Adaptation to Climate Change in the Caribbean

Disaster Risk Management Brainstorming Workshop June 6 7, 2002
Page 14

CCCCC;

Area Of Focus

2.0
Studies
Needs

Technical
and Data

Intervention

Possible Activities

critical
areas
for
addressing
climate
change
and
disaster
management. These institutions
must be utilized to ensure the
multi-sector approach required to
address climate variability and
change issues.

2. Establish a regional inter agency

consultative
group
on
Disaster
Management and Climate Variability
and Change Core membership
CCCCC; CDERA; CIMH; UWI
3. Use existing Working Group on
Disaster Training and Research Group
to expand training in areas of relevance
to natural hazards and adaptation to
climate variability and climate change.

2.1
Assessment
of
potential
impacts of projected climatic
changes (to include inter alia
numbers of persons affected, land
area affected, monetary values of
the projected impact)

1.
The
development
of
impact
scenarios for at least one pilot
community to coastal hazards

Rationale:
Adaptation planning to the impacts
of climate variability and change
will be effective only if the
potential impacts are known. This
will provide the scientific basis
from which adaptation strategies
can be evaluated and selected.
This initiative will build upon work
carried out under the CDMP,
CDERA ongoing initiatives with
ECHO and upcoming initiatives
with the IDB. In addition work
carried out by the CIMH (under
various projects) on TAOS Storm
Surge modeling and the CPACC
CRIS approach will be utilized.

Outputs

CDERA;
CCCCC;
Environment
Practitioners

1. Model methodology for developing

impact
scenarios
for
selected
communities
2. Critical asset inventories developed
for selected communities
3. Decision making tool for planners
and disaster managers for the selected
communities
4.
Interface
developed
between
disaster managers and planners

Report of the Adaptation to Climate Change in the Caribbean

Disaster Risk Management Brainstorming Workshop June 6 7, 2002
Page 15

Possible
Collaborating
Partners
CCCCC;
CDERA;
CIMH; UWI

UWI;
CDB;

CDERA;
CCCCC;
CIMH; UWI

CDERA;
CCCCC;
NDOs, Planners
CDERA;
NDOs;
Planners

CCCCC;
CIMH;

CDERA;
CCCCC;
NDOs; Planners

Area Of Focus

3.0
Options

Adaptation

Intervention

Possible Activities

Outputs

2.2 To determine the possible

implications
of
the
ENSO
phenomena on the Caribbean
region for inter alia disaster
management,
water
resources
management,
tourism
sector,
agricultural
sector,
insurance
sector.

1. Analysis of historical data on the

precipitation impact of the ENSO
phenomena

1. Identification of precipitation trends

associated with the ENSO phenomena
in the region

Rationale: Effective adaptation to

climate change and variability can
best be achieved if actions are
informed by quantified potential
impacts.
3.1 Development and evaluation of
approaches
to
adaptation
responses,
estimation
of
effectiveness
and
costs
of
adaptation
options
and
identification of opportunities for
and obstacles to adaptation within
the Caribbean Region

2.3 Collaborate with the Insurance

Association of the Caribbean in the
development
of
an
integrated
insurance claims database for the
Caribbean region
1. Update and complete pilot site
hazard information utilizing existing
information eg. From the CDMP and
CPACC and updating information where
necessary

Database of losses and claims for

selected severe and extreme events

CDERA;
CCCCC;
Insurance Sector

1. Updated hazard information for pilot

site

Regional: CCCCC;
CDERA; CDB

2.
Using the hazard information,
conduct a pilot study which will
examine viable adaptation options for
the pilot area Retreat (evacuation and
relocation)
Protect (retrofit; building codes;
strengthening flood defenses.

2. Methodology for the assessment and

evaluation of evacuation and relocation
options

National:
NDOs;
Planners;
Public
Works;
Meteorological
Offices;
Communities

Rationale: A range of options exist

to address climate variability and
change. Decisions on the best
option(s) must be informed by
quantified
evaluations
of
all
options.

2. Determination of the extent to which

any identified trends may be utilized by
relevant sectors

3. Development of model evacuation

policy and procedures for communities
at risk to coastal flooding

3. Model relocation policy for affected

communities
4. Model evacuation policy for affected
communities

Report of the Adaptation to Climate Change in the Caribbean

Disaster Risk Management Brainstorming Workshop June 6 7, 2002
Page 16

Possible
Collaborating
Partners
CIMH;
CCCCC;
CDERA; UWI

Area Of Focus

Intervention

Possible Activities

3.2 Development of public-private

partnerships
which
not
only
increase the awareness of risk but
also to contribute to risk reduction
in view of the potential effects of
climate variability and change

1. Work with the financial sector to

identify and develop opportunities for
utilizing financial mechanisms for
adaptation to climate variability and
climate change including

1.
Disaster
ManagersIndustry Interface

a. Conduct a regional workshop for

regional
insurers,
and
disaster
managers and development planners
to develop strategies for financial
adaptation to climate variability and
change

2. Strategies for innovative adaptation

to Climate variability and change within
the regional insurance industry

b. Promote the development

mitigation sensitive premiums

Outputs

of

Report of the Adaptation to Climate Change in the Caribbean

Disaster Risk Management Brainstorming Workshop June 6 7, 2002
Page 17

Insurance

Possible
Collaborating
Partners
CCCCC,
CDERA,
Insurance Sector