Abstract

The presentation highlights the Caribbean Biodiversity Fund (CBF), its Ecosystem based Adaptation (EbA) Facility and the link with the Caribbean Challenge Initiative (CCI) for collaborative action to assist communities to adapt to the effects of climate change through sustainably managing the Caribbean’s marine and coastal natural resources. The Caribbean marine and coastal ecosystems and accompanied biodiversity are major contributors to the region’s economies, food security and water supply. Local communities, the majority of whom live in the coastal areas, are direct beneficiaries both in terms of livelihoods and quality of life. However, the Caribbean’s natural resources and people are under growing threat from climate change and unsustainable development The CCI and CBF are partnership initiatives to assist in providing solutions to these problems. The CBF’s endowment fund, which currently stands at US$43 million, works in partnership with independent National Conservation Trust Funds. In addition to its endowment fund, and in partnership with the German government through KfW, the CBF established a US$26.5 million EbA Facility as a sinking fund. This facility will assist eligible countries, to help people to adapt to the adverse effects of climate change through the restoration and use of biodiversity and ecosystem services. The CBF’s EbA Facility has identified a range of potential partners to assist in implementation through grant agreements. These include government departments/agencies, non-governmental organizations, community-based organizations, conservation trust funds, private sector companies and academia. It is anticipated that the first set of grants will be issued in mid-2019 following a selection process initiated through a public call for proposals released later this year.

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