(Dubai) – The Caribbean Climate-Smart Accelerator (CCSA) marked a historic milestone on Friday with the launch of its Climate Smart Map, an interactive platform with climate action data from over 26 countries, at the Caricom Pavilion during the United Nations Climate Change Conference COP28 in Dubai.

Developed in collaboration with donors, Templeton World Charity Foundation and suppliers including PwC Trinidad and Tobago and Vizzuality, the Climate Smart Map is a comprehensive tool designed to empower decision-making for climate resilience and sustainability across the Caribbean. The interactive web-based map was demonstrated at the event titled “Empowering Climate Resilience and Sustainability Through Technology: Insights and Innovations.”

Racquel Moses, United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change Global Ambassador and Chief Executive Officer of the CCSA emphasised the significance of this groundbreaking initiative. “The launch of the Climate Smart Map propels us toward the realisation of our vision for the Caribbean as the world’s first Climate-Smart Zone. With this powerful tool, we are equipped with current data that empowers policymakers, investors, entrepreneurs, project developers, private sector leaders, NGOs, and all stakeholders to embark on a journey of impactful decision-making,” she said.

She added that: “The information at our fingertips enables us to judiciously allocate resources, ensuring they are deployed with precision, timing, and purpose across 26 nations. The Climate Smart Map emerges as a guiding force, steering us towards strategic climate action, both in terms of adaptation and mitigation. As we navigate this path, it becomes a beacon for directing climate finance, strategically channelling investments to areas where they yield maximum impact, truly making a transformative difference in the face of climate challenges. Together, we embark on a journey of innovation and resilience, paving the way for a brighter and sustainable future for the entire Caribbean region.”

The Climate Smart Map identifies specific location parameters, climate risk and vulnerability, climate adaptation efforts, climate readiness, and climate governance. This user-friendly snapshot provides a timely and necessary climate solution for the region, offering insights into needs, gaps, and opportunities.

PwC Trinidad and Tobago Partner and Consulting Leader, Zia Paton, referencing an IMF publication, underscored the importance of the roadmap’s development noting that, “While the region is not a significant net contributor to global anthropogenic carbon emissions (less than one per cent), the impact of climate change is disproportionately severe with costs from adverse weather events for the region accounting for close to 40 per cent of total global damage.

For some countries, losses well exceed the size of their economy and range up to 225 per cent of GDP for just one event. She continued, “The map being developed provides a path to tangible solutions desperately needed for driving greater climate resilience for the region.”