Grenada, like other small island developing states in the Caribbean, has certain inherent characteristics that make it vulnerable to the adverse impacts of climate variability and change. These include a limited reserve capacity to handle the effects of natural hazards as well as its location in the path of tropical cyclones of the Atlantic and Caribbean Sea. Additionally, most of the islands’ infrastructure is located within the coastal zone, making it particularly vulnerable to the impacts of sea level rise and coastal flooding. The sectors in Grenada that are most susceptible to the impacts of climate change include: water resources, coastal infrastructure, human health, agriculture and tourism. Previous projects have also highlighted these areas for development programs and activities.

As a result of their vulnerability, the Government of Grenada (GOG) received grant funding from the CCCCC under the EU GCCA Project to conduct two main studies.

These include:
a. A Vulnerability and Capacity Assessment (VCA) study in the Chemin Watershed in the St. David parish in the south eastern quadrant of Grenada ; and
b. A national sector-based Impact Assessment that will provide relevant data and information leading to the preparation of a National Adaptation Strategy and Action Plan (NASAP) for the water and agriculture sectors.

Environmental Solutions Ltd (ESL) was contracted by CCCCC to implement the project for the Government of Grenada (GOG). CCCCC worked collaboratively with the GOG through the Environment Unit of the Ministry of Agriculture, Lands, Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (MALFFE), to achieve the objectives of the project.

This report is organized into three main sections; sensitivity analysis, adaptive capacity analysis and vulnerability assessment. The sensitivity analysis includes a discussion on the existing water sector and natural and anthropogenic threats.

The adaptive capacity analysis includes a discussion and analysis of the policy, legal and institutional framework of Grenada that relates to the water sector. It also includes a discussion of the Chemin Watershed’s capacity for social and economic resilience to climate change.

The findings on sensitivity and adaptability are then combined to determine how and where the community is vulnerable to climate change.