Background Paper: LAC Small Island Development States

Despite the many differences among Caribbean nations, Climate Change (CC) poses a serious threat to them all. Average temperatures in the Region have increased by 0.1° to 0.2°C per decade over the past three decades and rainfall patterns have shifted, with the number of consecutive dry days expected to increase. Additionally, sea level rise has occurred at a rate of about two to four cm per decade over the past 33 years, a trend which presents risks to the Region's freshwater resources and to its largely coastal population dependent on tourism and agriculture.OVE's regional study aims to assess the IDB's role in responding to CC in the Caribbean over the period 2004-2013.