In the Caribbean, FAO advocates for stronger political commitment on social protection for climate change

The Caribbean is one of the regions most affected by climate change globally. As Caribbean economies, communities and ecosystems face increasingly severe climate impacts, the integration of social protection into climate strategies has emerged as a crucial avenue for addressing these vulnerabilities. However, despite recent progress in acknowledging the role of social protection in inclusive climate action, significant gaps remain.

Recognizing these challenges and opportunities, country, regional and global leaders and experts convened at a workshop organized by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) in Bridgetown on May 15-16.

In her opening statement, Renata Clarke, FAO Sub-Regional Coordinator for the Caribbean, emphasized “the dire urgency of the situation, and the absolute imperative for innovative and tailored climate adaptation strategies in the Small Island Developing States (SIDS).” She called for the integration of social protection into climate policies, stating that it should "not only bolster our resilience but truly ensure no one is left behind.”

The event brought together government representatives from 13 Caribbean countries, alongside delegates from the World Bank, the World Food Programme (WFP), the Inter-American Development Bank, the University of West Indies and bilateral donors.

Supporting climate adaption through social protection systems

FAO experts underscored the critical role of social protection in fostering inclusive climate action in the agriculture, forestry and fisheries sectors.

Marco Knowles, FAO Social Protection Team Leader, explained how social protection programmes, such as environmentally conditioned cash transfers and public works programmes, already contribute to effective and inclusive climate action.

He elaborated on the multiple benefits of social protection, including its capacity to absorb climate shocks, facilitate climate adaptation and mitigation, ease the socio-economic impacts of green transitions and ensure that climate action reaches the poorest.

Noting that vulnerability to climate change varies across the population, disproportionately affecting  poor and female-headed households, Knowles underlined the relevance of social protection in promoting a just transition towards sustainable and equal societies.

Leveraging policy and finance opportunities

Over two days of discussions, participants explored pathways to strengthen coherence between social protection systems and climate action. They identified the upcoming revision of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), which takes place once every five years, as a key opportunity for ministries of Social Development to advocate for political commitments to use social protection for climate adaptation and mitigation.

Embedding social protection in NDCs can also support countries in  channelling climate financing into national social protection systems, said Matthew Walsham, FAO Social Protection Specialist.

He noted the potential to increase investment in social protection through the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) funds and the Multilateral Development Banks.

Stressing the importance of avoiding fragmented approaches, Walsham emphasized the need for climate finance to strengthen national social protection systems, support the inclusion of vulnerable groups and foster linkages with key sectors like agriculture, labour, employment, and the environment.

In response to country requests, FAO committed to supporting countries in the region to formulate recommendations for integrating social protection into their revised NDCs, aiming for a more inclusive and resilient Caribbean response to climate change.

Promising progress in the Caribbean

Emerging best practices in linking social protection to climate action already exist in the region, mainly focusing on shock-responsive social protection and anticipatory action.

Dominica enhanced its Public Assistance Programme after Hurricane Maria, both increasing the value of transfers and extending coverage to non-enrolled households. Similarly, Grenada provided unemployment insurance to registered members for up to six months following Hurricane Ivan, while Trinidad and Tobago and the British Virgin Islands established coordination mechanisms between social protection and disaster management agencies. 

Social protection and climate change synergies lie at the core of FAO’s work

The event in Barbados aligned with FAO´s broader vision to harness social protection to deliver more inclusive climate action for rural populations.

FAO´s growing body of evidence highlights the transformational role social protection can play in meeting this goal in the context of a changing climate. Its latest research confirmed that social protection drives climate action for the poor. Additionally, an upcoming study on agrifood systems and the NDCs reveals the underrepresentation of social protection in existing climate strategies.

Working towards a Better Environment, Better Production, Better Nutrition, and Better Life , FAO’s expertise on rural policy and programmes, in collaboration with partners, supports countries in pursuing sustainable, resilient and inclusive development.