O. Climate change impacts on coastal transport
infrastructure in the Caribbean: enhancing the adaptive capacity
of Small Island Developing States (SIDS)
UNCTAD in collaboration with UNEP, ECLAC and
UNDP ($595,000)
Background
1. Small Island Developing States (SIDS) share environmental and
economic vulnerabilities and sustainable development challenges, such as
susceptibility to natural disasters, remoteness from large markets and dependence
on international trade and tourism. Low elevation and dependence on critical
transport infrastructure like sea ports and airports makes them highly vulnerable to
the effects of climate change, especially increased temperature, flooding/sea-level
rise and extreme weather events. Therefore, adapting ports and airports to the
impacts of climate change is vital for the sustainable development prospects of
these vulnerable nations. Targeted capacity building is required to develop effective
adaptation measures that ensure the resilience of transport infrastructure, services
and operations in SIDS.
2. The proposed project aims to enhance the understanding/technical
knowledge among policy makers, transport planners and transport infrastructure
managers from SIDS of the impacts of climate change on coastal transport
infrastructure - in particular seaports and airports - and to build their capacity to
develop adequate adaptation response measures. A case-study focusing on two
vulnerable SIDS in the Caribbean region (Jamaica and St. Lucia) will be carried out
to enhance the relevant adaptive capacity at the country-level (Phase I) and to
develop a methodology/framework for assessing adaptation needs and priorities in
coastal transport infrastructure (ports and, as appropriate, airports) as a tool for use
in other SIDS (Phase II). The case-study involves three main components: (a) an
assessment of the potential climate change impacts on ports and airports in Jamaica
and St. Lucia, their direct costs and broader economic impacts; (b) an assessment of
options for adaptation in response to the potential impacts; and (c) the development
of a methodology/tool to assist transport infrastructure managers and other relevant
entities in SIDS in assessing adaptation needs and priorities in coastal transport
infrastructure. The results of the study will be presented and training in the
methodology will be provided at workshops for stakeholders at the national and
regional level. The two project countries which are the focus of the case-study
(Jamaica and St. Lucia), have been selected with a view to different criteria,
including size, economic parameters, geographical conditions and potential
exposure of transport infrastructure. The methodology will, subject to locationspecific modifications, be available for use in other SIDS within the Caribbean
region as well as in other geographical regions.
3. The project will be implemented by UNCTAD, but significant
collaboration with other entities and stakeholders is envisaged, with inter alia
United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), regional Commissions in
particular the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean
(ECLAC), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the World Bank, as
well as the Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre (CCCCC/CARICOM).
Work would be carried out, as appropriate, in close cooperation with private sector
partners and, importantly, with local stakeholders, including relevant port/airport
and planning authorities and local academic institutions.
Objective of the Organization: To strengthen the capacity of policy
makers, transport planners and transport infrastructure managers in
SIDS to take appropriate adaptation response measures to climate
change impacts on seaports and airports
Relationship to the strategic framework for the period 2014-2015
and the Millennium Development Goals: UNCTAD subprogramme 4
(Technology and logistics); Millennium Development Goals 1, 7, and 8.
Expected accomplishments of the Secretariat
Summary budget
(Thousands of United States dollars)
General temporary
assistance
Consultants
Expert Group Meeting
Travel
Contractual services
Operating expenses
Workshops/training
Total
Indicators of achievement
(EA1) Enhanced knowledge/understanding among policy makers,
transport planners and transport infrastructure managers in SIDS
of climate change impacts on seaport and airport infrastructure as
well as associated implications for services and operations
23.2
174.2
24.0
108.6
17.0
3.0
245.0
595.0
(IA1.1)
Formal feedback from
stakeholders participating in
activities under the project indicates
significant improvement in the
understanding of climate change
impacts on coastal transport
infrastructure and related
implications for services and
operations
(IA1.2)
Increased number of
action plans, policy documents or
strategy plans regarding coastal
transport infrastructure planning and
operation in the Caribbean region
include consideration of climate
change impacts
(EA2) Strengthened capacity of policy makers, transport planners (IA2.1)
Stakeholders
and transport infrastructure managers in SIDS to effectively plan participating in activities under the
and develop requisite adaptation measures that enhance the
project endorse the methodology as a
resilience of coastal transport infrastructure
useful tool for assessing adaptation
needs and priorities in respect of
coastal transport infrastructure
(IA2.2)
Increased number of
action plans, policy documents or
strategy plans regarding coastal
transport infrastructure planning and
operation in the Caribbean region
take into account the methodology
for assessing adaptation needs and
priorities or reflect other policy
guidance/recommendations
developed as part of the project
Main activities
4. The main activities of the project will include:
(A1.1) Organize a case-study with focus on two vulnerable SIDS in the
Caribbean region (Jamaica and St. Lucia). The methodology developed as part of
this activity will assist transport infrastructure managers and other relevant entities
in SIDS in assessing risk, understanding impacts and identifying priorities for
decision-making about adaptation measures/actions;
(A1.2) Organize an expert group meeting to discuss and validate results of the
case-study (including methodology), consider best practices, and provide
substantive expert input regarding guidance/training material for capacity building;
(A1.3) Develop guidance/training material for the purposes of dissemination
of the results of the case-study and training on the methodology/tool;
(A1.4) Organize two national capacity-building workshops to (i) disseminate
results of the case-study among policy makers, transport planners and key private
sector stakeholders; (ii) provide training in respect of the methodology/tool for
assessing
adaptation
needs;
as
well
as
(iii)
provide
policy
guidance/recommendations and share best practices for adaptation action;
(A2.1) Organize a regional capacity-building workshop for other SIDS within
the Caribbean region to (i) disseminate results of the case-study among policy
makers, transport planners and key private sector stakeholders; (ii) provide training
in respect of the methodology/tool for assessing adaptation needs; as well as (iii)
provide policy guidance/recommendations and share best practices for adaptation
action. The regional workshop is intended to ensure significant multiplier effects of
the project for SIDS within the Caribbean region and in other geographical regions ;
(A2.2) Establish a web-based platform: for information sharing;
communication and dialogue, among relevant stakeholders and interested parties
under the project activities.
Detailed budget (US dollars)
General Temporary Assistance
 Temporary assistance for support in preparation of guidance/training
material, establishment of a web-based platform and organization of
workshops, in support of activities A1.3, A1.4, A2.1, A.2.2 (2 work
months x $11,600 per work month) = $23,232
Consultants
International consultants
 International consultants for the tasks of undertaking the case -study,
providing substantive input to guidance/training material and expert
group meeting (EGM), holding workshops, in support of activities
A1.1, A1.2, A1.3, A1.4, A.2.1 and A2.2 (7 work months x $10,000 per
month = $70,000) + (consultants travel for 3 Workshops x 2 Field
missions = $28,750) = $98,750
23 200
174 200
National / Regional consultants:
 National/Regional consultants for tasks of assisting with the case study, participating as resource persons in workshops and participating
in expert group meeting, in support of activities A1.1, A1.2, A1.3, A1.4
and A2.1 and A2.2 (6 work months x $ 2,500 per month x 2 national
consultants and 1 regional consultant = $45,000) + (consultants travel
of $18,500) = $63,500
External Evaluation = $11,940
Expert Groups
 One Expert Group Meeting for the purpose of validating results of
case-study (including methodology) and assisting in development of
training/guidance material, in support of activities A1.1, A1.2, A1.3,
A1.4, A2.1 and A2.2 ($4,000 per participant x 6 participants) =
$24,000
24 000
Travel of staff
UNCTAD Staff (implementing entity)
 Two Field missions organization and coordination of 3 workshops and
participation as resource persons, in support of activities under the
project, in particular activities A1.1, A1.4 and A2.1. ($7,500 average
mission cost x 10 persons) = $75,000
Other Unite Nations staff members
 Participation as resource persons/experts in EGM [3 persons] and
workshops [5 persons], in support of activities A1.2, A1.4 and A2.1
($4,200 average mission cost x 8 persons) = $33,600
108 600
Contractual services
 In support of activities A.1.1 and A1.3. for printing study report and
development of online/CD-Rom version = $2,000
 Acquisition of local/regional level data for purposes of the study
[bathymetric/topographic, meteorological/hydrodynamic (if available),
aerial photographs/satellite images, socio-economic data] = $15,000
17 000
Operating Expenses
 In support of activities A1.1, A1.2, A1.3, A1.4, A2.1 and A2.2 (Postage,
communications, printing of training materials) = $3,000
Seminars, Workshops and Study Tours
Workshops & seminars
3 000
245 000


Total
Two national workshops in support of activity A1.4 ($777 per
participant x 40 x 2 workshops = $62,160
One regional workshop in support of activity A2. The majority of
participants in the regional workshop are key stakeholders from all SIDS
in the Caribbean region who will also act as country focal points to
ensure multiplier effects/further dissemination of project insights and
outcomes. In addition, representatives from relevant regional and
sub-regional organizations in the Caribbean and in other geographic
al SIDS regions will also participate.
($2,612 per participant x 70 x 1 workshop) = $182,840
595 000