Climate Change Adaption in the Caribbean: Together for more Resilience

Small Island Developing States (SIDS) face significant social, economic and environmental challenges for sustainable development. Despite contributing only very little to global emissions, SIDS are facing existential threats as a result of the climate crisis. In this situation, Germany remains a reliable partner of SIDS for achieving resilient prosperity and security.

The Caribbean islands are a global biodiversity hotspot, but the rise in sea temperatures, pollution as well as extreme weather events pose a serious threat that has profound implications for Caribbean people whose livelihoods are intricately linked to the health of the sea.

Germany stands with Small Island Developing States and is committed to supporting their adaptation efforts. To preserve the Caribbean’s unique biodiversity and natural resources, Germany has been co-financing the Caribbean Biodiversity Fund (CBF). The CBF was established in 2012 and serves as a long-term financing mechanism for coastal and marine conservation in the Caribbean.

The CBF has been awarded the prestigious Small Island Developing States Partnerships Award 2025 in the environmental category for its Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA) facility. This flexible financing instrument supports island states in building climate resilience and benefits 36,000 people in the Caribbean. Germany supports the facility with 65 million USD (approx. 56 million EUR).

To date, at least 12,900 hectares of coastal ecosystems relevant to adaptation have been improved or better protected as part of the individual projects implemented.