With the Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ) and University of the West Indies, Mona, we developed a new spatial climate risk analysis for Jamaica. The platform is being used to quantify the physical climate risk to infrastructure investments and appraise resilient infrastructure options, including nature-based solutions.
Climate resilience in Jamaica
Creating a platform for infrastructure risk assessment and resilient investment prioritisation in Jamaica
The Challenge
Infrastructure systems, including energy, transport, and water supply networks, are particularly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. Repairing and replacing infrastructure after a disaster can take months or even years, denying people of essential services and adding to the financial burdens on governments and communities. It is estimated that US$80 trillion of investment in new and existing infrastructure is required worldwide over the next 15 years.
Small Island Developing States (SIDS) are among the most vulnerable countries in the world to the adverse effects of climate change. During the last 20 years, Jamaica has endured several and more frequent disasters impacting on average at least 1% of GDP per year. Undoubtedly, Jamaica has a long history of devasting damage from climate hazards which is projected to increase in future, which would require urgent investment in resilient infrastructure. There is also an increased need to understand the economic value of assets at risk and how to leverage natural assets to propose green solutions.
With this key need in mind, the Coalition for Climate Resilient Investment (CCRI) was created and launched at the 2019 UN Climate Action Summit (UNCAS) representing the commitment of the global private financial industry, to foster more efficient integration of physical climate risks (PCRs) in investment decision-making. The Government of Jamaica joined CCRI to better understand and manage climate risks to mobilise the public and private capital necessary to realise sustainable economic development.
Our work
With the Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ) and University of the West Indies, Mona, we developed a new spatial climate risk analysis for Jamaica. The project was funded by the UK’s FCDO and enables the Government of Jamaica to pinpoint and quantify climate-related risks to energy, transport and water supplies.
The platform is being used to quantify the physical climate risk to infrastructure investments and appraise resilient infrastructure options, including nature-based solutions.