Turks and Caicos Islands

6. RECOMMENDED STRATEGIES AND INITIAL ACTION PLAN
The following recommendations have been developed in consultation with national and community
stakeholders through the use of various participatory tools. They support the main objective of the CCCRA
which is to provide a scientific (physical and social) basis to support decision making, policy and planning by
governments, communities and the private sector that increase resilience of economies and livelihoods to
climate change. The recommendations are also consistent with the strategies and programmes identified in
the Climate Change and the Caribbean: A Regional Framework for Achieving Development Resilient to
Climate Change endorsed by the CARICOM Heads of State.
Recommendations are presented as an initial plan of action with a brief description of the intervention, the
national and/or local stakeholders involved and the expected benefits, and are categorised according to
short-, medium- and long-term interventions. All recommendations are considered ‘No-regret’ or ‘Lowregret’
strategies. 'No-regret' strategies seek to maximise positive and minimise negative outcomes for
communities and societies in climate-sensitive areas such as agriculture, food security, water resources and
health. This means taking climate-related decisions or actions that make sense in development terms,
whether or not a specific climate threat actually materialises in the future. ‘Low-regret’ adaptation options
are those where moderate levels of investment increase the capacity to cope with future climate risks.
Typically, these involve over-specifying components, for example installing larger diameter drains or
hurricane shutters at the time of initial construction or refurbishment (World Bank, 2012).
Each one or a group of recommendations can be further developed into a concept note or project proposal
with a full action plan, with much of the supporting information found in this document. Earlier sections of
this report have provided the rationale for recommended interventions based on the vulnerabilities and
adaptive capacity identified for key sectors.
6.1. Cross-Cutting Actions
The following activities must be undertaken in the short-term, across a number of sectors, to ensure the
success of the more specific and practical recommendations presented in later sections. These cross-cutting
actions provide the necessary foundation, in terms of information and data, development policy,
awareness raising and cross-sectoral linkages from which wider actions to combat the threat of climate
change on future development can be legitimised. With this foundation, future actions and the allocation
of resources to adaptation and mitigation activities are more easily justified because decisions can be based
on current information, as well as common goals and a widespread understanding of the severity of the
threat.
6.1.1. Data Collection, Monitoring and Evaluation
It is evident in a number of sectors that the lack of data and inadequate monitoring and evaluation
procedures inhibit the ability of the relevant agencies to plan and manage a number of resources.
Monitoring and evaluation is essential if progress is to be demonstrated. By collecting and sharing the
information gathered, Section 6.1.3, it is possible to gain even greater support amongst stakeholders.
Specific areas and suggestions for data collection, monitoring and evaluation include:
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