While weather and climate-related hazards have historically taken a toll on Caribbean small islands, the impacts of recent storms have prompted urgent dialogue on updating and improving the way the region understands, prepares for and responds to disasters. As the region convenes on issues related to boosting environmental governance, developing key technology systems and building resilient infrastructure, it is imperative that consideration be offered to the potential of using climate information, most of which is freely available, for the effective strengthening of disaster risk reduction (DRR). Enhanced awareness and use of a wide range of weather-and climate-related information can empower small states with data to make appropriate and impactful decisions towards advanced disaster preparedness, disaster risk reduction and future resilience.In attempting to understand the divide between science/research and policy/use in disaster risk reduction in small states, this chapter aims to underscore the potential value and utility of climate information. We define climate information, review its nature and utility globally, and discuss the variability in verified climate information for highly climate-vulnerable but data-poor countries. Such a chapter has the potential to engage the science-policy dialogue of encouraging the development and use of climate information, especially at this time when governments and various agencies are interested in building and fostering resilience following recent disasters and impacts, and within the context of a region whose vulnerability will increase with climate change.

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<p>Despite an increasing recognition of the value of climate information and broader weather and climate services (WCS) for decision-making, understanding its wider dimensions for effective delivery and use remains an ongoing discussion. In particular, a focus on barriers and enablers of using climate information can be helpful for policy-directed efforts, as this underscores challenges and streamlines strategies for action. For smaller and developing countries with particular vulnerabilities to climate variability and change, and various barriers to climate information/WCS uptake, this is especially true but often limited within research. This paper addresses this research gap by offering perceptions of climate information use in the insular Caribbean. We engaged with 26 potential WCS end-users in the form of region-wide experts and decision-makers who focus on climate adaptation, disaster risk reduction, and resilience, and analysed semi-structured interview responses to understand barriers and enablers of WCS delivery and use within the region. Against a history of projectised adaptation initiatives in the Caribbean, the results highlight that while finance is critical, there is rather a range of interlinked enabling conditions necessary for the effective use of climate information. Caribbean respondents stressed the need for island-contextualised climate information and the importance of adequate human resource capacity, loud voices/climate champions, and effective political and legislative mandates for understanding and using climate information for climate-related decision-making. As well, a factor visualisation illustrates that the practical awareness of climate information for decision-making is closely tied to proactive climate champions, and that available finance should be noted within the context of donor interests. Moving ahead, it is clear that an integrated approach for effective WCS delivery and use is necessary, requiring engaged WCS partnerships amongst multiple stakeholders. The highlighting of such challenges within an under-researched area such as the Caribbean provides insights for developing adaptation strategies within the region, and can also signal critical elements relevant for other small developing countries.</p>

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This chapter first provides a brief overview of the climate change impact on Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and then focuses on the intersection between trade policy, tourism and climate change governance. Specific attention is given to the policy dimension in the aviation and maritime sectors given their importance to the tourism sector in SIDS.