Enhancing Coastal Resilience Against Climate Change

Transcription

1 Enhancing Coastal Resilience Against Climate Change Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Belize, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, Saint Lucia, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre 1 August 2016

2 ENHANCED DIRECT ACCESS FACILITY CONCEPT NOTE Project/Programme Title: Enhancing Coastal Resilience Against Climate Change Country/Region: Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Belize, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, Saint Lucia, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines Accredited Entity: Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre Contact Person: Dr. Mark Bynoe Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre 2nd Floor, Lawrence Nicholas Building Ring Road, P.O. Box 563 Belmopan, Belize Phone: +(501) Fax: +(501) Page

3 A. Project / Programme Information A.1. Project / programme title A.2. Project or programme A.3. Country (ies) / region A.4. National designated authority(ies) A.5. Accredited entity A.6. Executing entity / beneficiary Enhancing Coastal Protection for Climate Change Resilience Programme Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Belize, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, Saint Lucia, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines (Caribbean Region) Not Applicable Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre Executing Entity(ies): NGOs, CBOs, private sector, national governments Beneficiary: The people of the participating countries A.7. Access modality Direct X International A.8. Project size category (total investment, million USD) Micro ( 10) Small (10<x 50) X Medium (50<x 250) Large (>250) A.9. Mitigation / adaptation focus Mitigation X Adaptation X Cross cutting X A.10. Public or private public Which of the following targeted results areas does the proposed project/programme address? A.11. Results areas (mark all that apply) Reduced emissions from: X Energy access and power generation X X (E.g. on grid, micro grid or off grid solar, wind, geothermal, etc.) Low emission transport (E.g. high speed rail, rapid bus system, etc.) Buildings, cities, industries and appliances (E.g. new and retrofitted energy efficient buildings, energy efficient equipment for companies and supply chain management, etc.) Forestry and land use (E.g. forest conservation and management, agroforestry, agricultural irrigation, water treatment and management, etc.) Increased resilience of: X Most vulnerable people and communities X X X (E.g. mitigation of operational risk associated with climate change diversification of supply sources and supply chain management, relocation of manufacturing facilities and warehouses, etc.) Health and well being, and food and water security (E.g. climate resilient crops, efficient irrigation systems, etc.) Infrastructure and built environment (E.g. sea walls, resilient road networks, etc.) Ecosystems and ecosystem services (E.g. ecosystem conservation and management, ecotourism, etc.) A.12. Project / programme life span A.13. Estimated implementation start and end date 4 years Start: March 1, End: March 31, Page

4 1. Introduction and Background To the Problem/Issue This concept note seeks to secure grant funding from the Green Climate Fund (GCF) to address coastal protection and related issues in eight (8) Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Member States (Map 1) over the next four (4) years. The project will use a grants on lending framework and will concentrate on the following sectors: (i) coastal protection, inclusive of mangrove rehabilitation, rehabilitation of marine protected areas, coral restoration, etc, (ii) food and water security, (iii) health, (iv) renewable energy and energy efficiency, and (v) tourism. The modalities for its operations are discussed further in this proposal, but this assistance remains critical for the region, given its vulnerabilities to global climate change. Global climate change is arguably the most serious challenge to the development aspirations of the Caribbean region. Observational data for the Caribbean already indicates a level above the global mean temperature increase of approximately 0.6 C during the 20th century. At the same time, mean sea level rose during the period between 2 and 6 mm/yr and rainfall variability, that appears to be closely related to the El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO), has increased. 1 It is estimated that 60% of the Caribbean population live within 1.5 kilometres of the coast, making 1 Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC 2007), Fourth Assessment Report, Climate Change 2007: Synthesis Report, An Assessment of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change yr/a r4_syr.pdf 3 P age

5 them particularly susceptible to the vagaries of rising sea levels and its attendant threats such as: (i) saltwater intrusion, and a reduction and growing scarcity in freshwater resources, (ii) deteriorating coastal conditions through beach erosion and coral bleaching, thus adversely affect local resources, fisheries for example, and reduce their value as tourist destinations, and (iii) floods, storm surge, erosion and other coastal hazards, exacerbated by sea level rise that threaten vital infrastructure, settlements and facilities that support the livelihood of island communities. 2 TABLE 1: CARIBBEAN PUBLIC DEBT, 2014 Domestic External Total Total (USD millions) (Per cent of GDP) Antigua and Barbuda Bahamas 5, , Barbados 3, , Belize , Dominica Grenada Guyana , Jamaica 9, , Saint Kitts and Nevis Saint Lucia Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Suriname Trinidad and Tobago 8, , Caribbean total 29, , , * Source: Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC), on the basis of official figures. * Average. Climate variability and change and increase in the frequency of extreme weather events are having a profound developmental impact on the Small Island Developing States (SIDS) in the Caribbean (UNFCCC, 2005; Alfaro Pelico, 2012). 34 These impacts include, inter alia, loss in capital and stock, worsening the external debt situation of these economies, and posing an existential threat to many nation States 2 United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean and the Caribbean Community (2008), Climate Change in the Caribbean and the Challenge of Adaptation, UNEP, Panama City. 3 UNFCCC (2005) Small Island Developing States and Climate Change, Bonn, Germany; and Raúl I. Alfaro Pelico (2012) Small Island Developing States and Climate Change: Effects, Responses and Positions beyond Durban (WP), Working Paper, Elcano Royal Institute, Madrid. 4 According to the global climate models (GCMs) downscaled to 25 kilometres resolution for the Caribbean, it has been indicated that the region can expect: (i) reduced mean regional warming of between C; (ii) greater warming over land areas and larger island states; (iii) mean annual changes in precipitation of between %, and (iv) high consensus of a reduction in precipitation in almost all islands except Cuba, Bahamas and Dominica Republic. 4 Page

6 (Bostrom, 2013) 5. Globally, estimated economic stresses due to climate change project losses of USD63 billion per year starting in This impact will rise by more than 100 percent to USD 157 billion each year by 2030 (DARA, 2010) 6. For some States like Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, and Jamaica, these impacts have also exacerbated the severe debt crisis faced by these nations that already have debt to GDP ratios above 100% (Table 1 overleaf) and spend nearly 40% of their export earning on imported fossil fuel. In 2014, four of the twenty most indebted countries (by public debt to GDP ratio) were in the Caribbean, Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Grenada and Jamaica. This ratio of debt to GDP is far in excess of the IMF suggested threshold of 60%. Furthermore, the economies of the region remain heavily natural resource based. As such, on the basis of the vulnerabilities of the marine and coastal ecosystems, a change of C is seen as the critical threshold. Climate change related events are already profoundly impacting the region s geophysical, biological and socio economic systems, depleting national budgets, compromising livelihoods and exacerbating poverty. For example, a single category 2 tropical cyclone in 2005 wiped out 200% of Grenada s estimated GDP in that year (UNECLAC, 2006). Similarly, in the same year, a 1 in 100 year flood decimated the agricultural sector in Guyana, destroying 60% of the country s GDP and moving it from a positive real growth position to a negative one. Also, three (3) major storms in 2008 caused Cuba 66% of its GDP in that year. Lastly, Bueno et al (2008) indicated that following the same development trajectory would result in climate change impacts costing the region conservatively US$10.7 billion annually by According to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Fourth Assessment Report (2007), these natural hazards are expected to grow in intensity in the future. More widely, the climate change challenges faced by the region are compounded by some structural realities within these Caribbean states, which are generally: (i) (ii) (iii) small in physical size and have a high level of indebtedness, in some cases in excess of 100% of gross domestic product 8 (GDP), that prevents deployment of financial resources to support priority adaptation programmes; extremely open economies with a heavy dependence on exports and imports, and plagued by high energy costs that are on average US$0.23 per kilowatt hour (kwh); 9 low adaptive capacity that exacerbates their vulnerabilities and risks while simultaneously reducing their resilience to growing global events, such as the global financial meltdown of 2008 and rising food prices since 2008 for a region that spent US$5 billion in food imports in 2014 (CARICOM Secretariat, 2015). Rising food prices are said to be closely 5 Nick Bostrom (2013) Existential Risk Prevention as Global Priority in Global Policy, Vol. 4, Issue 1, Feb (2013): 15-31, Oxford University Press. 6 5 DARA and the Climate Vulnerability Forum, Fundacion DATA Internacional, Bueno, R, C. Herzfeld, E. Stanton, and F. Ackerman (2008) The Caribbean and Climate Change: The cost of Inaction, Stockholm Environment Institute and the US Center Global Development and Environment Institute, Tufts University. 8 International Monetary Fund (2010), International Financial Statistics, Washington, DC. 9 The cost of imported fuel within the region was estimated at 21% of gross domestic product (GDP), or four times the region s food import bill within the same year (CARICOM Secretariat website at ) 5 Page

7 (iv) (v) linked to climate variability and change; 10 experiencing relatively high levels of absolute poverty, ranging from 20% to more than 50% 11 ; and plagued by massive emigration which deprive the region of its most skilled and experienced human resources. However, failure to adapt to this growing threat of climate change could mean that the Caribbean region is in a perpetual state of recession, losing as much as 5% of GDP at 2004 prices up to Under a business as usual scenario, this figure balloons to 75% by 2100 for the smaller nations. 12 In an attempt to respond to the threats posed by these phenomena and pursue climate compatible development, Caribbean governments endorsed the development and subsequent implementation of the Regional Strategy for Achieving Development Resilient to Climate Change in 2009 and its accompanying Implementation Plan (IP) in Using these as the marquee documents for responding to climate change regionally, these governments have been pursuing diverse programmes utilizing their limited budgets and being forced to divert funds from other critical needs, to meet the additional costs posed by climate variability and change. 14 In some cases the Caribbean States have been supported via direct bilateral financing and budget support, and regionally by development partners. The Implementation Plan acknowledges that transformational change in mindset, institutional arrangements, operating systems, collaborative approaches and integrated planning mechanisms are essential to deliver the strategic elements and goals of the regional framework. The IP places strong emphasis on risk reduction through enhanced resilience as a fundamental tenet of national development planning and resource allocation processes. The above notwithstanding, the IP highlights the existing and significant resource and capacity challenges that hold back the region s sustainable development and growth and a more cogent and coordinated approach to assist in resource mobilisation and co ordination of actions. This programme is one such initiative at a comprehensive and coordinated mechanism to addressing climate change impacts in the region. Despite the region s efforts, it still remains extremely vulnerable to climate variability and change and the increase in the frequency of extreme weather events. The earlier adaptation initiatives implemented by the region were, by design, foundational for the more substantive long term adaptation programmes that will be needed for sustainable development. To demonstrate this fact, in recent studies by the World Resource Institute (WRI) and the University of Hawaii, it was found that of the 36 most water scarce islands/countries, 8 are in the Caribbean, as well as having some of the most vulnerable cities. Furthermore, more than 60% of the region s population resides along the coast and most of its physical, economic and social assets also found in this zone that is, in many cases, below the mean high water 10 While providing increased incomes for some farmers, rising food prices simultaneously impoverishes the urban poor in particular and worsen the food security problem in many of these states. 11 United Nations Development Programme (2010) Human Development Report, New York. 12 Bueno et al (ibid). 13 These documents were developed after extensive consultations with members of parliament, governments, the private sector, research institutions, CBOs, NGOs, faith based organizations and communities in the 14 sovereign states. 14 For example, a low category 3 hurricane in 2004 eroded more than 200% of Grenada s GDP, putting the country in a severe debt crisis ever since! 6 Page

8 mark, i.e., Guyana, Belize, Barbados, and Jamaica. These provides a compelling argument to enhance and scale up the investments in resilience building initiatives in the region, only possible through the continued meaningful engagement and support of the region s development partners, like minded governments and climate finance institutions like the GCF. This project, therefore, seeks to build resilience mainly at the community and grassroots level, through taking a small grants framework approach. Furthermore, it builds upon a project the 5Cs has been implementing for the last two (2) years in four (4) CARICOM countries, i.e., Jamaica, Grenada, Saint Lucia and St. Vincent and the Grenadines with funding from the German Development Bank (KfW), the 5Cs and counterpart contribution from the grantees. The current KfW project focuses on taking an ecosystem based approach to coastal defence and building climate resilience, using a grants framework. Given the demand for this type of assistance, and the fact that the Centre received more requests for assistance than resources available, it is of the firm opinion that the Enhanced Direct Access (EDA) facility offers a unique opportunity to continue to build climate resilience taking a gender sensitive, environmentally conscious, and participatory bottom up approach. 2. Description of the Consultation and Selection Process undertaken As outlined above, the 5Cs is the main entity, coordinating the CARICOM region s response to climate change. The 5Cs, working largely through partnerships with regional organizations, national governments, National Designated Authorities (NDAs) 15, Focal Points, and NGOs, has a range of modalities that it applies, and has applied, to consult for this and similar type initiatives/projects. The 5Cs work is guided by the Implementation Plan (IP) for Achieving Development Resilient to Climate Change that was approved by the Heads of Government of CARICOM at their Meeting in Suriname on March 10, This document was prepared following an extensive programme of in country discussions and consultations with politicians, government officials, regional agencies, NGOs, the private sector, civil society, donors and development banks. The modality for these discussions was varied. For example, in some instances they were based on structured interviews and discussions points. In other cases they were of a focus group type arrangement that took, where appropriate, a gender sensitive approach. The IP is reviewed biennially, again through a consultative process, to assess whether the issues identified therein are still relevant to the region, and if not, to amend the document accordingly. As such, the issues identified in this concept note to be addressed, are based on the feedback received from the participating countries and their constituents. Furthermore, the IP execution is overseen by the Regional Coordinating Committee on Climate Change (R4Cs) that is comprised of regional and national institutions. The R4Cs, which is largely a policy making body, meets once annually to review the progress made towards implementing various aspects of the IP, to receive feedback and to offer guidance on the way forward for more effective delivery of the services offered within the region on climate change for resilience building. The last meeting of this body was held in May 2016 in Saint Lucia. Lastly, the Centre engages directly with the countries, seeking to ensure that their priorities are known and identified. During these visits, the Centre meets with the focal points on CC, the NDAs, government officials, regional bodies and civil society organizations. Thus far for the year, the Centre has engaged 15 See the endorsement letters accompanying this application. 7 Page

9 with Antigua and Barbuda, St. Kitts and Nevis, Grenada, Barbados, Guyana and Belize. At the same time, through its sensitization process on the KfW project, it has received encouraging feedback at the grassroots from those participating islands, i.e., Jamaica, Grenada, Saint Lucia and St. Vincent and the Grenadines. The importance of working with coastal communities and national governments is particularly important to ensure local ownership of, and engagement with the project s processes. Working with local partners is also essential to support the development of policies, livelihoods and approaches that are specific to the economic, ecological, social, cultural, and political context of each country and designed to sustain the engagement and support of local stakeholders. It was during these sessions that it was felt that it would be useful to build on the work already started under the KfW project, and expand it to include more countries, particularly the continental countries, for better coverage of the region. However, because this is seen as a pilot, the proposal does not seek to cover all CARICOM countries. The experiences gained from this project, will however, be shared with the entire region, with the possibility of scaling up of this type of assistance as we envisage significant success. The selection was based on need and those whom have expressed a desire to work with the Centre on this project. To concretise this, we are submitting some of the endorsement letters thus far for this initiative received from participating countries and look forward to submitting all endorsement letters at the full proposal stage. 3. Description of Proposed Scope of Activities 3.1 The Main Problems the Proposed Project Will Address As the 2015 Tropical Storm damage to the Commonwealth of Dominica ($483 million 90% of GDP) 16 showed all too clearly, weather events associated with climate change are threatening the Caribbean economies, either directly as in the case of tourism and agriculture, or indirectly in the case of manufacturing, mining, and oil and gas production. Similarly, based upon an assessment of impacts to each affected sector, the December flood event in Saint Lucia resulted in total damage and loss of US$99.88 million (EC$ million), equivalent to 8.3% of Saint Lucia s GDP. Transport infrastructure sustained the majority of damages (72%), followed by infrastructure for agriculture (13%), water and sanitation (6%), and housing (4%). Out of a total population of 180,870, six persons were confirmed dead, over 550 were displaced, and approximately 19,984 were directly impacted by the event. 17 In addition, to these direct impacts, the financial burdens associated with frequent climate events placed on small country governments are significant. These include the costs of relocation, shelter, food, and medical care for displaced populations, rebuilding and repairing public infrastructure (schools, health centers, roads, sewage removal, drainage systems), and destruction or damage to revenue producing public assets. Such costs will also rise over time with the loss of natural sea defense systems such as mangrove wetlands and coral reefs. Climate change weather events are most likely to disproportionately affect the most socio economically disadvantaged, i.e., single mothers, the aged, and poor who populate vulnerable areas and substandard housing, and whose livelihoods are likely to be tied to the vagaries of the tourism and agriculture sectors in the Caribbean. 16 Dominica GDP (2014) was $ million, World Development Indicators, World Bank, Government of Saint Lucia & and the World Bank (2014) Joint Rapid Damage and Needs Assessment of the December 24-25, 2013 Flood Event. World Bank, Washington, DC. 8 Page

10 Agriculture and Food Security: Agriculture is a significant contributor to Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in Guyana, Belize, Jamaica, Grenada and St Vincent and the Grenadines, and a significant component of the livelihoods of vulnerable populations in all of the participating States. Seawater intrusion; increasing soil erosion, drought, and flooding; and destruction of infrastructure negatively affect agriculture and combine to increase the costs of production, reduce incomes, and discourage investment. Increased cost of production drives up market prices of basic agricultural staples thereby reducing disposable income and contributing to economic stagnation. The increasing frequency and severity of droughts threaten freshwater availability and affect food security. Much of the agricultural production takes place in low lying coastal areas. Rising sea levels have resulted in the salinization of soils within these vulnerable coastal areas, and flood events are exacerbating soil erosion. Fresh Water: Declining access to reliable sources of fresh water is directly affecting the region s development objectives. Total annual precipitation has declined in the Caribbean and climate models project significant declines in the future, particularly under higher greenhouse gas (GHG) emission scenarios. Such decreases threaten island communities that rely on rainfall for replenishing their freshwater supplies. Sea level rise and coastal erosion can also reduce water availability by inundating coastal aquifers with saltwater, contaminating freshwater supplies, and preventing rainwater recharge. In addition, the water infrastructure systems of some islands could be overloaded during periods of heavy rainfall and storm events, affecting their ability to distribute drinking water or safely process wastewater. Climate change is already affecting the availability of freshwater on some islands, particularly the smaller islands, and some countries are considering dramatic responses. For example, declining access to freshwater in Antigua and Barbuda has forced this country to rely on costly desalinization processes for 60% of Antigua s needs and 100% of Barbuda s needs, and they project that they will have to move towards generating 100% of all drinking water supply from desalination in the next five years. At the same time, the Islands are moving to reduce their non revenue losses through improved distribution networks, installation of leak detectors, public education, working with the private sector to reduce water consumption through, for example, the installation of more wastewater plants and marketing water efficient household utilities, and with government to incentivise water efficient practices. Coastal Protection, Fisheries and coral reefs: Rising sea surface temperatures, invasive species, and ocean acidification are expected to negatively impact mangrove forests, erode coastal defences, commercial and artisanal fisheries for all the participating countries. The loss and inundation of coastal habitats, such as coral reefs and mangroves, will endanger species that use these habitats for nesting, nursing, and nutrients. Additionally, climate change will enhance conditions that facilitate the spread of invasive species and marine and terrestrial pathogens and diseases, which would affect an island's natural ecosystems and biodiversity. Furthermore, the rapid decline of Caribbean coral reefs over the past four decades has been well documented with some regional studies estimating that live coral cover has declined by 50% since the 1970 s (Gardner et al., 2003; Jackson et al., 2014). This rapid decline is having profound effects on the region s unique and globally important marine biodiversity as well as its economy and food security. The annual value of the ecosystem services provided by Caribbean coral reefs has been estimated to be worth around US$2.7 billion for tourism, $400 million for fisheries and between US$1 billion to US$2.8 billion for shoreline protection (WRI, Reefs at Risk Revisited, 2011), even as assessed in its current, degraded state. The decline of coral reefs is expected to accelerate in the coming decades because of climate change and the combined effects of mass coral bleaching and ocean acidification. This presents 9 Page

11 a major threat to the region; therefore, slowing down or even reversing the loss of coral is increasingly recognised by CARICOM and the 5Cs as a priority for adaptation interventions. The most commonly recognised climate change adaptation option for coral reefs is to increase their resilience through the management of stresses such as pollution, sedimentation, and overfishing, most typically with the creation of MPAs (Buddemeier et al. 2004). Some of the more than 250 MPAs in the Caribbean have been effective in reducing fishing pressure and restoring populations of herbivores (e.g. surgeonfish and parrotfish), which are essential to maintain the health of coral reefs. Protecting and restoring populations of herbivorous fish has been found to be particularly important in improving the ecological resilience of coral reefs and their ability to recover after major disturbances, such as bleaching events, storms or sedimentation (Stockwell et al., 2009; Mumby & Harborne, 2010; Olds et al., 2014; Rasher et al., 2013). The final reports from two large and recent studies both highlight the opportunities and importance of increasing the resilience of Caribbean coral reefs to climate change by strengthening and improving local management (Jackson et al., 2014; Mumby P. et al., 2014). The use of networks of no take zones and the protections of herbivorous species (e.g. parrotfish) are emphasised in their recommendations. Tourism: Climate change threatens the coasts and coral reefs that tourism depends on while the increasingly severe weather events associated with climate change wreak havoc with tourism infrastructure. Tourism is one of the most important components of the regional economy and the most climate change affected economic sector in the island countries. Throughout the Caribbean small island developing states (SIDS), tourism is highly concentrated in coastal areas and dependent on natural resources, such as coral reefs, beaches, and fisheries. In lower elevation countries, such as Antigua and Barbuda, increased instances of drought are threatening water supplies that hotels and boat harbors depend upon to support tourists. In more mountainous countries, such as Saint Lucia, and Grenada, increased watershed and beach erosion from more frequent and heavier rain events are causing sedimentation of coral reefs, threatening these major coastal tourist attractions, and impairing their ability to provide coastal protection. Climate change impacts thus can make the island economies less competitive in international tourism, reducing employment and income. Health: Aging public infrastructure leads to very high levels of vulnerability in critical sectors such as health, education, water, and roads. Many major health buildings are assessed as having a high risk of structural failure to a 10 year event such as a Category 1 hurricane or Magnitude 7 earthquake and need risk reduction investments. According to the United Kingdom Department for International Development indicates that 86% of the Caribbean hospitals were assessed as having a Hospital Safety Index of category B indicating potential risk for patients, hospital staff, and the ability of the facility to function during and after a disaster. Weaknesses in both functional and non structural issues (e.g. risk of roof damage, water and gas supplies, etc.) are considered to be the predominant cause of vulnerability. Post disaster rehabilitation of damaged infrastructure is a major contributor to the national economic risk profile. Damage from extreme events causes enormous losses (including in rebuilding, service loss, lost income and work days) and increases the length of time it takes for life to return to normal. For example impacts on health facilities limit emergency care to victims and directly threaten the lives of patients and health workers. There is a social impact too since community life often gravitates around schools, churches and health centres, and loss of one severely affects communities resilience. 10 Page

12 It is widely agreed that climate change will increase the level of risk and pose significant challenges in the years ahead without adequate preparation and significant adjustments to patterns of development. To ensure sustainable growth and poverty reduction, Caribbean countries need to manage the risk of natural hazards now and prepare for the future impacts of climate change. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) notes that the cost of preparing for climate change is particularly onerous on small populations in island states. Without support, the need to divert limited financial resources away from economic growth activities into repairs and reconstruction is likely to grow. Renewable energy and Energy Efficiency: The Caribbean region contains predominantly SIDS, but it is one of the most energy intensive regions in the world. Furthermore, energy cost tends to be high, ranging from a low of US$0.22 kwh in Belize to a high of US$0.40 kwh in Jamaica (CCCCC, 2015). This means that marketing products are often compromised due to the fact that they may be price uncompetitive. At the same time, the region, with an abundance of renewable energy potential has not harnessed these resources, with many rural households, who are unable to be grid connected due to a scattered settlement pattern, being without power. This seriously affects their quality of life and the pursuance of Goal 13 under the Sustainable Development Goals agreed in Addis Ababa in September Lastly, there are a number of household appliances and utilities that are high energy consumers that can be retrofitted to reduce their energy efficiency standards and reduce their GHG emissions. 3.2 Project Goal The project s goal will be to contribute to the reduction of climate change induced risks to the population in coastal zones of the small islands and low lying coastal states of the Caribbean through following low emissions and climate resilient development pathways. This goal is consistent with the Fund s Results Management Framework (RMF) that specifies that the..in the context of sustainable development, the Fund will promote the paradigm shift towards lowemission and climate resilient development pathways by providing support to developing countries to limit or reduce their greenhouse gas emissions and to adapt to the impacts of climate change, taking into account the needs of those developing countries particularly vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change. RMF, Paragraph Project Objectives Specifically, the project aims at the following that are consistent with the objectives of the Fund s RMF: Adaptation 1. To Increase the resilience and enhance the livelihoods of the most vulnerable people and communities in the Caribbean Region to climate change and its related impacts. 2. To increase resilience of health and well being, and food and water security for the most vulnerable groups in the Caribbean to the impacts of climate change. 3. To enhance coastal protection and improve the resilience of ecosystems. Mitigation 4. To transition to a low emission development pathway where feasible. 11 Page

13 5. To increase energy efficiency in buildings, cities and industries where feasible. 3.4 Proposed Activities The EDA project will support the implementation innovative adaptation and low emission, energy efficient initiatives that seek to increase resilience and decrease vulnerability to climate impacts in the agricultural and food security, coastal resources, health, tourism, energy and freshwater resources sectors. In the development of the initiatives, a strong participatory approach, that is gender sensitive, will be encouraged. This process is expected to be overseen by the NDA or Focal Point to firstly outline the countries strategic frameworks, and then to ensure that the initiatives align with those frameworks. Furthermore, each NDA or Focal Point will be engaged with the 5Cs during the sensitization process to encourage the submission of proposals, and to provide an endorsement letter for each proposal [the process is elaborated further in section (d)]. The broad set of criteria used for identification and selection of the initiatives will include projects that are: climate change related clear with regards to having an exit strategy and sustainability framework, where practicable, Innovative, Replicable/scalable, Part of the larger development framework in the respective countries, and Leading to a paradigm shift and away from business as usual. Illustrative innovative approaches would include: 1. Climate Smart Agriculture: 18 A case study approach would focus on access to water, using more sustainable farming techniques, and working with local farmers to design, implement, monitor, and evaluate climate smart agriculture methods incorporating drought resistant techniques and varieties and strategies to address more frequent and intense flooding as an adaptation approach. 2. Wastewater recycling and reuse: Wastewater recycling is reusing treated wastewater for beneficial purposes such as agricultural and landscape irrigation, industrial processes, toilet flushing, and for recharging groundwater. 3. Hybrid rainwater harvesting, irrigation and sewage recycling facility: Hotels are large consumers of water, putting strains on available water resources, sometimes at the detriment of surrounding communities. Hybrid facilities for harvesting and recycling of greywater would help alleviate shortages as a result of depleted water stock, high turbidity lowering water quality, clogged systems, and release of under treated water into the ocean. 4. Reverse osmosis/renewable energy to supply potable water: A small scale, solar desalination system is applicable to areas that have (a) water supply problems; (b) no/limited access to the electricity grid; and (c) ample solar resources. Photovoltaic powered reverse osmosis (PV RO) 18 Innovative (new or traditional) methods in climate-smart agriculture include drip versus row irrigation, more resilient crop varieties, and seed banks for storing climate-resilient and traditional cultivars. 12 Page

14 systems are a proven technology and show great potential for replication in the Eastern Caribbean due to the low specific energy consumption, relatively low maintenance requirements, and the economic viability for desalinating small amounts of water. 5. Rain water/storm water harvesting and storage: While rain water harvesting and storage has been employed on a small scale, it has great potential for replication and for developing a case study that can demonstrate the value of putting in place new policies requiring that it be included in all new buildings. 6. Early warning system for public health impacts and SMART Health Buildings: Principal health impacts include injuries and fatalities related to severe weather events and heat waves; infectious diseases related to changes in vector biology, water, and food contamination; allergic symptoms related to increased allergen production; respiratory and cardiovascular disease related to worsening air pollution; and nutritional shortages related to changes in food production. 7. Coastline Stabilization through Mangrove Rehabilitation: Mangrove rehabilitation is proven for protecting coastlines and providing resiliency to climate change impacts. This approach may also be more cost effective and durable than the traditional infrastructure approaches like seawalls and dykes. 8. Coral reef restoration: Coral reefs reduce wave energy by an average of 97 percent (studies across all tropical oceans) and can provide comparable wave reduction benefits to many artificial coastal defense systems. 9. Integrated coastline stabilization: Integrated efforts that incorporate ecosystems like mangroves into coastal protection offer more cost effective ways to adapt to CC while also enhancing the function of these key ecosystems. 10. Integrated Watershed Management and Coastal Area Management: An integrated management approach that takes a mountains to coast /Ridge to reef perspective is a potentially effective strategy to combat declining water availability and quality, increasing sedimentation, soil and beach erosion, and sea level rise. 11. Improvement of coastal and marine resource management policies through use of marine spatial planning (MSP): The EDA facility will support pilot community driven coastal planning approach to develop comprehensive, science based, community supported, and legallyenforceable ocean zoning and ocean resource management plan to balance coastal and ocean uses with conservation to achieve sustainable, profitable, and enjoyable use of ocean resources. 12. Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency: Many communities are still using wood energy or are completely off the grid because of their location. Small businesses are unable to be efficient because of the high cost of fossil fuel in the region. This facility will support the transition to more renewable energy sources, and retrofitting buildings to reduce their GHG emissions. The sub projects will be a mixture of new approaches and existing pilot initiatives drawn from other donor supported, or nationally supported initiatives that have the potential for successful replication 13 Page

15 and address a key vulnerability impacting key sectors of the participating countries economies. The objective is to build a portfolio of innovative climate resilient approaches in which proof of concept has been achieved to allow larger projects to be developed for large scale replication Grant Size The minimum grant size would be US$ 300,000 to a maximum grant size of US$ 600,000. Additionally, each grantee will be expected to provide counterpart contribution equivalent to 20% of the total cost of the initiative Geographical Locations As Map 1 above demonstrates, the participating countries are: Belize in the Western Caribbean, Jamaica in the Northern Caribbean, Antigua and Barbdua, Barbados, Saint Lucia, Grenada, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines in the Eastern Caribbean and Guyana in the Southern Caribbean. 3.7 Definition of target groups Specifically, the programme target group will be: The citizenry of the participating countries, but does recognize that vulnerability to natural disasters and climate change is exacerbated by social factors, particularly poverty and gender inequality. Non State actors including NGOs and civil society in the key sectors of water, energy, health, agriculture, tourism, and agriculture and food security. Poverty levels remain high in a number of the participating countries ranging from 29% to 38% of the population below national poverty lines in some OECS. i Poor people are often located in coastal settlements and have livelihoods dependent on ecosystems and are less able to cope with natural disasters. The poor tend to have the least access to resources to treat with natural hazards. Experience from events has shown that women tend to be more significantly impacted by extreme events than men (women and children are more likely to die and disasters lower women s life expectancy more than men s), especially in public shelter situations and in terms of household responsibilities. Female headed households in the community are more likely to be earning lower incomes, have lower financial security and insurance coverage and ownership/access to assets. Caribbean women also tend to assume heavier burdens of family care. Consequently, the impact of natural disasters has greater implications for women in terms negative effects on the well being of the women themselves but also their children, and the adolescents and elderly who fall within their care. In terms of economic activity, women have lower earnings and labour market participation rates, and are more likely to be unemployed. There is clear gender segregation in the labour market, with certain occupations seen as appropriate for males or females. This programme, therefore, will seek to maximise the livelihood opportunities from the interventions, promote gender equitable access for women and men, across gender stereotypes, and vulnerable and disadvantage groups. 14 Page

16 The EDA facility will effect positive change in policy and community practice directly though the adaptation outputs funded under the project. Surveys of beneficiaries and stakeholders will seek specific evidence on uptake, vulnerable poor targeting, gender disaggregation, economic returns from changes adopted and the recommendations will be communicated under this project. 3.8 Innovation/Particular added value elements In spite of similarities in geography, history and socio political systems the participating countries differ in terms of population size, economic development, resource base and human resource capacity, among other features. This project will be implemented cognizant of these characteristics and while regional products and templates will be developed it is important that actions address country specific realities, particularly where actions are national in nature. As the old adage goes, all adaptation is local. This will increase buy in, collaboration and continuity at the national level. The 5Cs, NDAs and Focal Points will utilise consultative processes to ensure that actions are validated and create positive impact. Participants of the Project will benefit from the passing on of knowledge and skills by others in the region and external to the region. To ensure that the capacity built is not transient a train the trainers approach will be utilised where possible in order to add to the cadre of highly trained and skilled personnel who can be resource persons at the national and regional level. As far as possible, the project seeks not only at increased production or storage of a resource, i.e., such as water, but also to incorporate the efficiency dimension. Furthermore, where possible, using Grid and Off Grid renewable energy resources to enhance resilience building will also be utilised in some of the project interventions. This addresses two critical issues in both adaptation and mitigation through specific interventions. Implementation will be via participatory approaches bringing together the beneficiaries, and implementing and supporting partners in decision making fora. The initiative will also ensure coordination with other national priorities to avoid duplication, allowing for synergies to be built between this project and on going ones. This approach will help to create greater levels of cooperation among partners at the community, local and national levels. 15 Page

17 4. A description of the approval process and selection criteria for the activities The approval process and selection criteria for the Enhancing Coastal Resilience Against Climate Change Project is consistent with the principles of transparency, separation of duties, and levels of authority (as recognized under the Fund s Results Management Fraework). The overall process is described in the table below and illustrated in the related process flow. KEY STAGES OF THE PROCESS In country Sensitization & Consultations KEY STEPS IN THE PROCESS KEY ACTORS RESPONSIBILITIES AND TASKS Administer sensitization and consultation sessions in each target country National Designated Authorities (NDAs)/ National Focal Points (NFPs) & 5Cs NFPs or NDAs coordinate the engagement of the most relevant national stakeholders (public sector, private sector, NGOs, CBOs, and other donors working in the country and specific sector) 5Cs_PDMU Spearhead sessions in each target country to build early awareness and national understanding of the funding opportunity; objectives, thematic areas, grant processes, grant sizes, implementation durations, etc., consistent with the Guidelines to Applicants (included in Annex I Example of Core Documents) 5Cs_PDMU share DRAFT call for proposal documents with National Stakeholders (see Annex I) Launch Call for Proposals and preparation of Concepts [Stage 1_Concept Note] Publish the suite of FINAL documents (concept note template, full application template, Guidelines to Applicants, FAQs, evaluation grid, etc.) for all eligible entities to access and utilize in response to the call 5Cs/ Applicants/ National Coordinators (NCs)/NDAs 5Cs document stakeholder concerns, interest and national priorities 5Cs_PDMU publishes the suite of call for proposal documents on its website and related portals for increased visibility NCs provide hand holding support to applicants in shaping their concepts consistent with requirements Applicant accesses and complete the Concept Note and relevant supporting documents NDAs provides an endorsement letter for each project it assesses to be in support of advancing key national priority (ies) further to the decision under the National Review Committee (NRC) 16 Page

18 KEY STAGES OF THE PROCESS Submission & Evaluation of Concept Notes KEY STEPS IN THE PROCESS KEY ACTORS RESPONSIBILITIES AND TASKS Deadline for the submission of Concept Notes from eligible entities from the target countries NCs/ Applicants/ 5Cs NCs provide a level of verification of compliance of Concept Notes before submission Applicants submits electronically the Concept Notes consistent with the requirements of the Call for Proposal 5Cs receives, logs and confirm receipt of all submissions Administrative Compliance Check 5Cs 5Cs_PDMU performs an administrative check to determine the compliance of concepts to the published administrative requirements such as the project s budget, duration, and presence of an endorsement letter from the relevant government ( only administrative compliant concepts can move on to the technical evaluation) Technical Assessment Technical Assessment Committee (TAC)/ 5Cs TAC ( An odd number of independent technical consultants) performs a technical assessment and scoring of the concepts received consistent with the published evaluation grid 5Cs_PDMU consolidates assessments and scores from the TAC into a Assessors Recommendation Report Concept Notes (ARRCN) Evaluation Committee (EC) ( an odd number senior technical officers from related regional organizations) reviews the CNARR and recommends the concepts to be short listed or pre selected 5Cs_PDMU prepares an Evaluation Report with the EC comments and final recommendations 5Cs _Head of the PDMU ratifies the report Preparation of Full Project Proposals Hand holding support and preparation of Full Proposals NCs/ Applicants 5Cs_PDMU notifies All Applicants NCs provide hand holding support ( within the parameters of the internal hand holding protocols) to pre selected applicants for the completion of their full proposals 17 Page

19 KEY STAGES OF THE PROCESS [Stage 2_ Full Proposal] KEY STEPS IN THE PROCESS KEY ACTORS RESPONSIBILITIES AND TASKS Applicants provide inputs consistent with the proposal template, guidance notes, FAQs, and support from NCs Deadline for the submission of Full Proposals from pre selected Applicants from the target countries NCs/ Applicants/ 5Cs NCs performs a quality and administrative verification of completeness of proposal package before submission by the Applicant Applicant submits proposal by the deadline NCs provide a level of verification of compliance of Full Proposal before submission Applicants submits electronically the Full Proposals consistent with the requirements of the Call for Proposal 5Cs receives, logs and confirm receipt of all submissions Full Proposal deadline and evaluation Administrative Compliance Check 5Cs 5Cs_PDMU performs an administrative check to determine the compliance of full proposals to the published administrative requirements such as the project s budget, duration, declarations, partnership statements, etc ( only administrative compliant full proposals can move on to the technical assessment) Technical Assessment TAC TAC ( An odd number of independent technical consultants) performs a technical assessment and scoring of the full proposals received consistent with the published evaluation grid 5Cs_PDMU consolidates assessments and scores from the TAC into a Assessors Recommendation Report Full Proposals (ARRFP) Evaluation Committee (EC) ( an odd number senior technical officers from related regional organizations) reviews the ARRFP and recommends one of three (3) categories for each full proposal; Approved, Provisionally Approved, or Not Approved 18 Page