Though efforts and climate change adaptation in Trinidad and Tobago have been made, this briefing suggests that their effectiveness is hindered by inadequate policies, weak institutional arrangements and limited coordination across sectors and between government and civil society. The researchers propose that national climate adaptation strategies need to be enhanced by strengthening policy and institutioinal frameworks.
Key messages from this brief incldude:
1. Key sectors remain vulnerable to climate change impacts due to inadequate adaptation responses.
2. Barriers to effective sectoral climate change adaptation readiness include inadequate vulnerability assessments, inadequate sector-specific adaptation policies, insufficient sector funding, inefficient data and information management and limited cross-sectoral coordination.
3. National climate change adaptation planning and investment efforts need to more effectively engage civil society.
4. Key strategies to enhance climate change adaptation readiness require improved sectoral adaptation policy and planning, cross-sectoral coordination and civil society engagement and building on lessons learned.