This report examines the degree to which there exists enabling factors to support the development of climate adaptation policy and strategies in three critical sectors in Trinidad and Tobago - coastal zone management, food production and tourism. As an important global environmental issue, climate change poses a significant threat to all development sectors. Designing and implementing national climate adaptation strategies is therefore critical. In this context, it is important to have an enabling institutional environment that will support climate adaptation across all sectors. This report presents the findings from a rapid institutional analysis that was undertaken by the Caribbean Natural Resources Institute (CANARI) using the Adaptation: Rapid Institutional Analysis (ARIA) tool developed by the World Resources Institute (WRI).

The institutional readiness of the coastal zone management, food production and tourism sectors to adapt to climate change was evaluated against five (5) indicators: vulnerability assessment, prioritisation, coordination, information management and mainstreaming. In general, research findings draw attention to the fact that there are significant gaps at the national institutional level for each of the identified sectors with respect to climate adaptation readiness. The following are key findings for each indicator:

Assessment: There are limited national vulnerability and impact (V&I) assessments for the food production and coastal zone management sectors to guide strategic adaptation interventions, while none appear to exist for the tourism sector.

Prioritisation: Similarly, there is little prioritisation of climate adaptation strategies at the national level for the identified sectors, most notably in the food production and tourism sectors. While there are some projects/programmes currently being undertaken by the line Ministry for food production that relate to adaptation, climate adaptation is not a stated strategic focus. Work under the Cabinet appointed Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) Committee chaired by the Institute of Marine Affairs (IMA) represents the most significant efforts at climate adaptation related to the coastal zone. National budgetary allocations to support adaptation measures also seem to be inadequate.

Coordination: National climate adaptation efforts are not being effectively coordinated among government, civil society and academia. The Environmental Management Authority (EMA) is currently in the implementation phase of a financial and technical assistance agreement from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) to improve its coordinating role in mainstreaming climate change related priorities into all development sectors. The Cabinet appointed Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) Committee, again, represents the most significant efforts at coordination, among government, private sector and international agencies, of climate adaptation efforts related to the management of the coastal zone.

Information management: Climate relevant information is available from the Trinidad and Tobago Meteorological Service (TTMS) for all sectors. In particular, is an Agro-meteorological forecasting service available for farmers. More sector specific information, especially in a form that is easily 6 useable by decision-makers, for other sectors is less readily available. While some information may exist from various sources, there is no single platform that consolidates this information for easy distribution to interested stakeholders.

Mainstreaming: Currently efforts are underway by the EMA to mainstream climate change into national developmental planning

Picture: Abir Anwar