social equity considerations in the implementation of caribbean climate change adaptation policies社会公平的考虑在加勒比地区适应气候变化政策的实现.pdf

Sustainability 2009, 1, 363-383; doi:10.3390/su1030363 OPEN ACCESS sustainability ISSN 2071-1050 /journal/sustainability Article Social Equity Considerations in the Implementation of Caribbean Climate Change Adaptation Policies Hari B. Dulal 1,*, Kalim U. Shah 2 and Nilufar Ahmad 1 1 Social Development Department (SDV), The World Bank, 1818 H Street, NW, Washington, DC, 20433, USA; E-Mail: nahmad@ 2 The University of Trinidad Tobago, Lots #74-98 OMeara Industrial Park, Arima, Trinidad, West Indies; E-Mail: kalim.shah@.tt * Author to whom correspondence should be addressed; E-Mail: hdulal@; Tel.: + 1-202-473- 1927; Fax: + 1-202-522-1669 Received: 16 June 2009 / Accepted: 20 July 2009 / Published: 23 July 2009 Abstract: As the Small Island Developing States of the Caribbean prepare to take climate change adaptation measures, there is a distinct possibility that the most vulnerable groups, especially the poor, women, indigenous, elderly, and children in rural and coastal communities are at risk of being marginalized. It is necessary to take into consideration the adaptation needs of these groups that are likely to be disproportionately affected due to inherent structural and social disparities. In this paper we focus on the need to ensure inclusion and social equity in adaptation planning as climate change issues disproportionately impact health, settlement, and livelihoods of these vulnerable groups. We al