Mainstreaming Adaptation to Climate Change (MACC) Project Components

Implementation:

The Caribbean Institute for Meteorology and Hydrology (CIMH) will serve as the Coordinating/Beneficiary Agency for the climate change monitoring network. The CIMH will also continue to operate the Tidal and Climate Gauge Replacement Fund, created under the CPACC project, to finance the replacement of monitoring instruments and related equipment, and work closely with the national meteorological and hydrological agencies which will continue to monitor all stations.
The Faculty of Engineering, UWI, St. Augustine campus will continue to support the operation of the Regional Archiving Center and will also be a Coordinating/Beneficiary Agency.
The Center for Marine Science of the UWI, Mona will serve as the Coordinating/Beneficiary Agency for coral reef monitoring, and will be supported by its Caribbean Coastal Data Center which currently functions as the regional archiving center for coastal ecosystem data. It will work closely with the Coastal Zone Unit of Barbados for the yet-to-be established Eastern Caribbean Technical Support Node, the OECS coral reef monitoring network countries, and the Discovery Bay Jamaica platform for the oceanographic parameters.
The PIU (Project Implementation Unit) will provide the overall coordination and supervision for this component, and will enter into MOUs with CIMH and UWI, Mona and St. Augustine for this sub-component.

1.2 Generating climate projection scenarios

Purpose: To adapt existing global climate change models to develop appropriate statistically and dynamically downscaled regional climate change models relevant to the Caribbean SIDS, and to make climate change projections.

Activities:

Institutional strengthening of Climate Studies Group at UWI, Mona, to do (i) statistical downscaling of existing global models; and (ii) to develop an appropriate dynamically downscaled regional climate model by: a) Exposing select staff to academic training in climate modelling and practical training in dynamic downscaling of global climate models; b) Licensing models from other institutions to serve as a starting point for the regional climate model developing exercise; and c) Providing equipment and software to develop a validated regional climate model;
Making climate change projections using both the statistical and dynamic regional climate model to estimate the expected key climate related variables, including precipitation, sea surface temperature, humidity, wind regimes and sea level, and comparing the results of the two approaches to identify possible synergies;
Coupling climate models with hazard models to predict the impacts of extreme events under different climate scenarios; and
Supporting capacity building and awareness at the regional and national level through:

a) Developing materials for a masters level program on climate change to be offered at UWI;

b) Training identified regional and national experts in the operation of the climate projection models; and

c) Disseminating the outcomes of the model development activity widely through the Public Education and Outreach component.

Implementation:

The Climate Studies Group at UWI, Mona will be the Coordinating/Beneficiary Agency for this activity. It will work closely with NOAA-NCAR which is very active in climate modelling, and with CEMH and the Physics Department at UWI, Cave Hill to broaden its capacity to undertake this activity. It will also work closely with the Canadian Climate Center, NOAA and the Hadley Center for technical inputs.
The PIU will provide the overall coordination and supervision, and will enter into a MOU with the Climate Studies Group at UWI, Mona for this sub-component.

1.3 Generating climate impact scenarios

Purpose: To develop potential climate change impact scenarios on coastal ecosystems and on the water cycle, and use these impact scenarios to enable stakeholders to understand how climate change may impact key economic sectors such as tourism, water resource management and agriculture.

Activities:

Reviewing existing climate impacts development models, evaluating their strengths and weaknesses, selecting, and acquiring those that will permit simulation of the physical impacts of climate change on coastal and watershed ecosystems, and inter-linkages between the key sectors of tourism, water, and agriculture; refining the acquired models for appropriate adaptations;
Developing climate impacts scenarios using the refined regional climate models and the adapted impacts model; and
Supporting capacity building and awareness at the regional and national level through:

a) Post-graduate level research in the development of impact modelling;

b) Training identified regional and national experts in the operation of the climate impacts models; and c) Disseminating the outcomes of the model development activity widely through the Public Education and Outreach component.

Implementation:

The Climate Studies Group at UWI, Mona will be the Coordinating/Beneficiary Agency for this activity. It will interact closely with international centers of excellence in climate impacts modelling such as the United Kingdom Climate Impacts Program (UKCIP) based at the Environmental Change Institute, University of Oxford, which has already developed an approach combining climate projections with climate impacts and development of adaptation options in national and sectoral settings.
The PIU will provide the overall coordination and supervision, and will enter into a MOU with the Climate Studies Group at UWI, Mona for this sub-component.

1.4 Refining a harmonised methodology for assessing climate change vulnerability and adaptation policy making

Purpose: To finance the developing of a harmonised vulnerability assessment and adaptation strategy approach appropriate to the Caribbean environment, and capacity building at the national level and in regional specialised agencies to carry out vulnerability assessments and develop adaptation measures.

Activities:

Reviewing the relevance of existing approaches to vulnerability assessment and formulation of adaptation measures – those used in the CPACC pilot components on coastal vulnerability, economic valuation and formulation; IPCC guidelines; UNEP Handbook on Methods for Climate Change Impact Assessment and Adaptation; and the U.S. Country Studies International Handbook – through actual applications and results assessment, and identifying lessons for the Caribbean SIDS;
Developing an integrated data management framework to accommodate input data for the approaches, scenarios of climate and socio-economic change, and the model results. A suitable framework will be developed that will facilitate the integration of sectoral analyses and the evaluation of vulnerability reduction strategies by stakeholders;
Producing a comprehensive guidance document to inform practitioners on selecting appropriate tools and methods for an effective approach to vulnerability and adaptation analysis, including recommendations for data acquisition and management, vulnerability assessment and determination of potential losses, development of adaptation options, and cost-benefit analysis of adaptation options; and
Supporting capacity building and awareness by:
a) Designing and implementing an intensive training program for national stakeholders and staff of specialised agencies who will be applying vulnerability and adaptation assessments in their country or sector-specific settings; and
b) Disseminating the outcomes of this sub-component widely through the Public Education and Outreach component.

Implementation:

The PIU will be directly responsible for this sub-component which will be implemented through expert consultants. The PIU will ensure that the consultants work closely with institutions such as the UWI, Mona, as well as key regional specialised institutions, including CIMH and CEHI, in providing the training and expertise, and producing the integrated management framework and comprehensive vulnerability assessment and adaptation measures development guidebook.

1.5 Preparing vulnerability and risk assessment studies in key economic sectors

Purpose: To finance the preparation of vulnerability and risk assessments, using the climate projection model, the climate impacts model, and the vulnerability and risk assessment approach developed under the above four sub-components. About six to eight vulnerability and risk assessments will be carried out for selected SIDS in key economic sectors. Given the limited project resources, the project will finance consultancies which will focus on tourism, agriculture and water resources; these three sectors are key to the Caribbean SIDS economies. The studies will be implemented in a few selected countries offering comparative advantage.

The approach to vulnerability assessment in the selected focal sectors will be multi-sectoral in nature. For example, vulnerabilities of the tourism sector to climate change would be addressed through the vulnerability of the tourism infrastructure (hotels, transport, ports, and water supply), assets or amenities (bio-diversity, coral reefs, and beaches). Similarly, the downstream impacts or linkages of tourism with other sectors will also be identified. The studies would be carried out by consultants with participation from country teams.

Activities:

Selecting the countries for situating the vulnerability assessment studies. This will be done in a collaborative manner, based on a set of predetermined selection criteria (discussed below). Once the potential country-sector-specific studies are selected, a detailed proposal will be prepared by the selected country on the selection of the sector, the specific features of the country and the sector setting, scope of the study, and the possibility for replication in other country settings;
Supporting capacity building through:

a) Dissemination of the harmonised vulnerability assessment approach;

b) Training country teams to develop skills required to conduct such assessments; and c) Participation of country teams in the vulnerability and risk assessment studies;
Conducting vulnerability assessments using country-and sector-specific climate projections and the harmonised approach to such assessments, and performing risk assessments by applying the probability of specific hazardous, climate change-related events to the vulnerability of resources, facilities and populations affected by such an event (focusing on coastal areas), to determine the expected economic, social, and environmental loss from the impacts;
Disseminating to all countries the final vulnerability and risk assessment reports produced by the country teams, and holding workshops to discuss the results and lessons learned;
Providing technical assistance to other non-study countries to adapt the study findings to their country-sector setting and prepare initial vulnerability and risk assessment reports;
Using the Public Education and Outreach component to make the process of assessment more collaborative and participatory, and disseminating the outcomes of this sub-component widely with a view to improving the quality of the assessment and to facilitate adoption of climate change adaptation measures by the affected stakeholders (private sector, public sector, local communities, etc.); and
Establishing a database to support future vulnerability and risk assessments in related sectors.

Country selection criteria:

Availability of information database for meaningful vulnerability and risk assessments;
Institutional capacity in the relevant sector to support the study being conducted by the consultants;
Importance of the sector in the selected country’s economy;
Representativeness of the country to facilitate adaptation of study outcomes to other country settings;
Level of country ownership (including counterpart support) and commitment to secure inter-sectoral coordination;
Correspondence of the proposal with issues raised in the UNFCCC National Communications;
Cost-effectiveness; and
Replicability.

Implementation:

The PIU will initiate a workshop to disseminate the requirements of the vulnerability assessment and adaptation studies, identify possible sectors and scoping of the study, offer justification for situating the studies in specific country settings with the possibility of adapting the study results in other country settings through project-offered technical assistance, and guide the discussion on the consensual selection of the sector-country match for the studies. Countries that do not have any study identified for implementation will participate in the formulation of the vulnerability and risk assessment studies as members in the selected country teams to help build their capacity to utilise the harmonised approach.
The component will be managed by PIU, and will be implemented through expert consultants, with assistance from country teams which will be coordinated through the NICUs (National Implementation Coordination Units). It is expected that the PIU/consultants will interact closely with national, regional and international specialised institutions, including CARDI, IICA, FAO, CWWA, OECS-ESDU, CEHI, Caribbean Tourism Organisation and CAST, which will provide guidance, technical support and training in their areas of expertise.
The PIU will also coordinate with the Caribbean Dialogue on Water and Climate and the Integrated Watershed & Coastal Area Management Project being developed by UNEP-CAR-RCU and CEHI.
This sub-component will also support close work with private sector, local communities and NGOs to ensure public/private sector partnership in the execution of this sub-component.

Component 2: Build Capacity to Reduce Vulnerability to Climate Change (Total US $2.15 M, GEF US $0.73 M)

Objective: To build in-country capacity to formulate and analyse adaptation policy options, and develop the multi-sectoral adaptation strategies, and implementation action plans. These sectoral adaptation strategies will be prepared for all participating countries:

i) In the first instance, for those countries where the vulnerability and risk assessment studies are implemented (directly); and

ii) In the second instance, for non-study countries (indirectly), through derived vulnerability assessments based on lessons learned from the country-level sectoral studies. The adaptation strategies for the non-study countries will be informed by the outcomes of the field-based vulnerability studies.

Sub-components: The first three sub-components will provide additional inputs to develop the adaptation strategies, and are as follows:

a) Identification of “no regrets” adaptation measures for all countries (carried out in parallel with, and informed by, the vulnerability assessment studies);

b) Development of adaptation approaches to food security, water, health, and fishery sectors, and incorporating climate change concerns relating to environmental impact assessments; and

c) Development of recommendations relating to upgrading technical norms for infrastructure industry, and incentives for risk reduction measures through insurance and banking industry.

The fourth sub-component will develop the country multi-sectoral adaptation strategies based on the vulnerability and risk assessment studies conducted under Component 1, and the outputs of the three sub-components (a) to (c) above.

Key Performance Indicators:

Country-level Sector Adaptation Strategies prepared;
Institutional Analysis for implementation of the Adaptation Strategies completed
Action Plan to support implementation of the Country-level Sector Adaptation Strategy defined;
Training programs conducted to build capacity for adaptation plan preparation process;
Technical study completed and guidelines for updating building codes, as well as special recommendations for updating CUBiC developed;
Technical study to develop feasibility options for the introduction of risk reduction incentives completed; and
Climate change sensitisation campaigns and workshops aimed at insurance and banking industries, and other stakeholders completed.

2.1 Identifying and incorporating “no regrets” adaptation measures

Purpose: To identify “no regrets” adaptation measures for all countries. Given the present uncertainties about site-specific impacts, and learning from recent experience in the Pacific Islands, a consensus is emerging that adaptation strategies should emphasise a comprehensive program of “no regrets” adaptation measures. These are measures that would be beneficial even in the absence of climate change. For example, existing building codes and design standards to cope with natural hazards should be more vigorously implemented. Existing land use controls throughout the region need to be vigorously applied; enabling legislation to require the use of ELAs should be enacted; planning and physical development legislation should be updated. Water rights, markets, and pricing should be better used to facilitate the sustainable and efficient use of water. These measures would be easy to identify in the context of the vulnerability assessment studies, and could be potentially more effective than other “hard” interventions, which may require a high degree of certainty about future impacts.

Activities:

Conducting a study in parallel with, and informed by, the vulnerability and risk assessment studies to:

a) Identify “no regrets” adaptation measures for all participating countries; and

b) Identify gaps/weaknesses, either in the current policy and planning framework, or in the level of awareness or access to hazard and vulnerability information, discouraging the private sector, local communities and governments from applying or enforcing existing “no regrets” adaptation measures.

Implementation:

The PIU will be responsible for implementing this component through expert consultants, working with the country teams coordinated by the NICUs.

2.2 Developing climate change adaptation approaches for selected sectors, and upgrading EIAs

Purpose: To develop climate change adaptation approaches in the health, water, food security, and fishery sectors, and on incorporating climate change aspects into EIAs (Environmental Impact Assessments).

Activities:

Carrying out specific studies on climate change adaptation approaches in health, water, and food security sectors, and on incorporating climate change concerns into EIAs; and
Carrying out a small pilot project in collaboration with the Fishery Resources Assessment and Management Program (CFRAMP) to develop innovative approaches at adaptation by working directly at the community level.

Implementation:

The PIU will be responsible for implementing the component through expert consultants to be financed by CIDA.

2.3 Disaster prevention through strengthening technical norms for infrastructure development

Purpose: To support the development of appropriate technical norms and standards for infrastructure, and promoting their use in disaster management, infrastructure design and construction, and property insurance and mortgage banking sectors.

Activities:

Reviewing the Comprehensive Disaster Management Strategy and integrating climate change considerations into the strategy;
Improving collaboration between National Disaster and Meteorological Offices to forecast and better respond to climate-related disasters;
Promoting through presentations, meetings and workshops, the use of the coastal hazards database in all coastal planning, development, and construction projects throughout the region;
Completing a study that updates infrastructure design standards to adapt to the impact of climate change, focusing primarily on coastal zones, and that outlines the minimum data requirements for climate projections required to establish design standards based on statistical and dynamically downscaled climate projection models;
Identifying risk reduction incentives in the property insurance and banking industry, and encouraging their adoption, through:

a) The preparation of an issues paper reviewing existing efforts and constraints in using economic incentives for risk reduction;

b) Workshops bringing together insurance and banking representatives and other stakeholders in disaster management, development planning, and construction sectors to identify ways in which insurance can be used as a mechanism to strengthen code enforcement;

c) A technical study to develop feasibility options for the introduction of risk reduction incentives and an outline of an Action Plan; and

d) A sensitisation campaign disseminating the outcomes of this component through the Public Education and Outreach component.

Implementation:

The PIU will work closely with CDERA as the Coordinating/Beneficiary Agency, which will focus on mainstreaming climate change responsive infrastructure norms and standards within the regional Comprehensive Disaster Management strategy, and promoting their use in disaster management, infrastructure design and construction, property insurance and banking industry at the national level. It will encourage CDERA to develop links with the Caribbean Council of Engineering Organization, and the Faculty of Engineering of UWI, St. Augustine in conducting studies for updating infrastructure standards.
This activity will be carried out in coordination with efforts to update Caribbean Uniform Building Code, coordinated under the Caribbean Development Bank. The project will also support engineering associations and universities to incorporate climate change issues as integral elements of technical norms for design, maintenance, and rehabilitation of infrastructure and support proposals for changes in infrastructure codes.

2.4 Developing country level multi-sectoral adaptation strategies

Purpose: Based on the outcomes of the vulnerability and risk assessment studies (Component 1), and the outputs of the three sub-components 2.1 to 2.3 above, to develop country level adaptation strategies in all countries.

Activities: • Conducting studies with technical assistance to country teams that will: a) Identify policy options; b) Analyse policy options; c) Formulate adaptation strategies; d) Identify institutional requirements; and e) Produce an implementation action plan; • Through the Public Education and Outreach component, facilitating a participatory strategy formulation process, and disseminating the final outcomes of the exercise relating to the selection of sectoral policy options, formulation of adaptation strategies and Action Plans, including an analysis of the experiences and lessons learned that can guide future efforts to mainstream adaptation in other sectors/countries; and • Institution building by: a) Training country teams in the process of development/refinement of adaptation strategies, conducting institutional assessments, preparing action plans for implementation, and building public/private sector and civil society support for the strategy; and b) Providing “hands-on” experience to the country teams through actual participation in the adaptation strategy preparation exercise.

Component 3 - Build Capacity to Effectively Access & Utilise Resources to Reduce Vulnerability to Climate Change (Total US $0.42 million, GEF US $0.18 million)

Objective: To provide support for the development of a regional agenda and a regional strategy through two sub-components.

Sub-components: The first sub-component will build the regional capacity to prepare a regional position for the UNFCCC and other international fora to enhance the region’s visibility and influence on relevant negotiations and policy decisions. The second sub-component will assist with the development of a regional strategy to improve regional coordination and harmonisation on climate change adaptation and policy making, while strengthening the region’s ability to mobilise and utilise effectively financial resources provided through the UNFCCC and other external financing mechanisms.

Key Performance Indicators:

A unified regional position paper (based on national and regional position papers), and a regional operational strategy developed for UNFCCC discussions;
A Regional Long-term Strategy for Adaptation to Climate Change prepared, showing regional and national actions for implementation of National Adaptation Plans; and
Resource mobilisation strategy prepared and donors meeting held.

3.1 Development of a Regional Agenda

Purpose: To support the development of a regional position and negotiation strategy for the UNFCCC and other international negotiations, and incorporating project outcomes into the National Communications process.

Activities:

Preparing national briefings on UNFCCC based on the sectoral issues paper and the adaptation strategy, economic implications of the Kyoto Clean Development Mechanism, and the national position papers prepared by National Focal Points;
Developing a regional agenda for hemispheric and/or other international negotiations based on a regional position paper (derived from national position papers), and a regional operational strategy (see below) that will be prepared by the PIU and other consultants, with key inputs from National Focal Points and sectoral agencies;
Facilitating the regional participation in the UNFCCC process by coordinating briefing meetings, participating in Internet-based discussion groups, attending key COP and other UNFCCC meetings, and reporting back to the countries with periodic updates on relevant decisions made or key issues discussed; and
Incorporating the results of the project into the National Communications process under the UNFCCC.

Implementation:

Opportunities to develop closer links with UN implementing agencies will be fully explored, particularly in areas related to further capacity building for climate change adaptation in the region.
Efforts will be made to coordinate project activities with all GEF projects implemented in the region, as well as related projects already being executed by regional specialised institutions. Cooperation with the UN implementing agencies will also provide an excellent platform for developing collaborative arrangements with non-CARICOM countries.
The PIU will be responsible for developing and executing this sub-component.

3.2 Development of a Regional Strategy for Adaptation to Climate Change

Purpose: To support regional efforts to develop a Regional Climate Change Adaptation Strategy and Action Plan. The preparation of this regional strategy will commence at the earliest practical opportunity drawing, among other things, on the various project outputs, and will define a 15-year strategic plan of action that:

a) Identifies activities and actions that cannot be undertaken in isolation at the national level and which require regional support or a regional approach in order to effectively address specific climate change adaptation issues; and

b) Clearly defines activities to be undertaken at a regional level that are necessary to complement and support (where necessary) adaptation programs defined in the National Communications and in the National Adaptation Strategies and Action Plans.

This strategy will constitute a programmatic basis for the region’s response and approach to challenges posed by climate change. The Regional Adaptation Strategy will be presented at an international donors’ meeting for funding support.

Activities:

Developing a briefing paper on regional priorities and needs for climate change adaptation in the region that incorporates:

a) Outputs from CPACC’s Formulation of Policy Framework for Integrated Adaptation Planning;

b) Lessons learned from the implementation of MACC activities;

c) The priorities identified in the First/Second National Communications;

d) Issues papers and policy papers from participating countries;

e) Policies and commonalities developed under the UNFCCC and other international conventions; and

f) Regional strategies such as the Sustainable Tourism Zone and the St. Georges’ Declaration;
Formulating a regional strategy based on a briefing paper prepared through a collaborative and participatory consultative process involving the CARICOM Technical Committee, the NICUs, the PIU and CARICOM. Additional support material will be produced, including recommendations for institutional arrangements, definition of appropriate approaches to the issues that require a regional perspective, identification of enforcement mechanisms, a financial analysis with an elaboration of the required resources, and a participation and dissemination strategy;
Developing a detailed business plan for the regional Caribbean Community Climate Change Center;
Formulating a work plan based on the broad consultative process and with more specific consultations with regional specialised agencies. Once finalised, the work plan, regional strategy and agenda will be presented to the CARICOM Council of for Trade & Economic Development for approval; and
Identifying opportunities for resource mobilisation, including designing and proposing projects and developing concept papers to be presented at a donors meeting to obtain support for furthering the implementation of the regional adaptation strategy.

Implementation:

The PIU will be responsible for coordinating with a wide range of stakeholders for the execution and completion of this sub-component.

Component 4 – Public Education and Outreach (Total US $2.10 million, GEF US $0.59 million)

Objective: To support a public education and outreach (PEO) program geared towards improving decision-making, encouraging policy changes where required, strengthening information access and data resources for key stakeholders, disseminating project-generated data and information, and fostering public awareness about the potential impacts of climate change. The CIDA supported Canada-Caribbean Climate Change program has funded a review of the PEO activities and the Public Awareness and Information Dissemination Strategy. Through this review process and further consensus building exercises, CARICOM has developed a draft PEO strategy for regional implementation under this project.

Sub-components:

Finalising the regional PEO strategy, and developing national PEO strategies for the participating countries;
Implementing the regional PEO strategy, consisting of the following key ingredients:

a) Developing materials needed for the public awareness generation about climate change issues;

b) Implementing public awareness modules aimed at specific target audiences;

c) Establishing an information clearing house within the PIU;

d) Developing course materials with climate change elements for educational institutions at various levels in consultation with the Caribbean Examination Council and UWI;

e) Building capacity within the country NICUs on PEO techniques for more effective dissemination and information access; and

f) Developing mutually identified linkages with the Pacific Islands and Caribbean non-CARICOM countries in website development and other PEO aspects;
Implementing the national level PEO strategies, consisting primarily of:
a) Information access and dissemination relating to the vulnerability assessment studies and the adaptation strategy development components to ensure vigorous public/private and civil society/NGO participation in the generation, evaluation, finalisation, dissemination, and adoption of the climate change adaptation measures; and

b) Other aspects of the national level PEO strategies as may emerge during the strategy formulation process; and

Undertaking a mid-term and final evaluation to evaluate the effectiveness of the PEO strategies, inputs and activities of this component.

Key Performance Indicators:

Public education and awareness materials developed and disseminated;
Web site improved and managed to serve as a clearinghouse point, including access to a digital resource climate change library housed in the PIU;
Workshops conducted and project outputs disseminated to secure participatory approach to vulnerability assessments and adaptation strategy development;
Course materials developed for education curricula – schools and UWI; and
Separate M&E (Monitoring & Evaluation) system for the PEO component implemented.

Implementation:

The PIU will be responsible for the implementation of the activities under this component through expert consultants, working in coordination with the NICUs.

Component 5 – Project Management (Total US $1.38, GEF US $1.18)

Objective: To implement a management system that is efficient, flexible, and transparent that would facilitate the completion of the project objectives and outputs in the time available, with the financial resources allocated according to the technical specifications and quality standards articulated by the project documents. This component will provide support to the CARICOM and PIU for the efficient and timely execution of the project, including project administration, as well as planning, monitoring and evaluating activities over the duration of the project.

Key Performance Indicators:

PIU established, staffed and functional; and
Monitoring and evaluation systems in place and assisting in improving project management.

Implementation:

To facilitate expeditious project implementation, and at the same time initiate a broad-based and transparent process for recruiting PIU staff, a six-month transitional PIU (based at Barbados) arrangement has been agreed with CARICOM, consisting of a Project Manager, a PEO Specialist, and a short-term consultant with capabilities in MIS who will also assist the Project Manager. As per the agreed timeline, project activities will be initiated starting January 1, 2003 with the transitional PIU, and the process of establishing a fully operational PIU at Belize by June 30, 2003 will commence synchronously.

MACC introduction
Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre (CCCCC)
Caribbean Planning for Adaptation to Climate Change (CPACC) Project
Adapting to Climate Change in the Caribbean (ACCC) Project