Climate Change Adaptation and Sectoral Policy Coherence in the Caribbean

Abstract

Climate change is an existential threat to small island developing states. Policy coherence aims to create synergies and avoid conflicts between policies. Mainstreaming adaptation across multiple sectors and achieving greater coherence amongst policies is needed. The paper applies qualitative document analysis, content analysis, and expert interviews to examine the degree of coherence between climate-sensitive sector policies in framing climate change adaptation and the adaptation goals outlined in the national development plan and national climate change policies in St. Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG), Grenada, and Saint Lucia. The results indicate that adaptation is not fully integrated into the water, agriculture, coastal zone, and forestry policies. For example, while adaptation was explicitly addressed in Saint Lucia’s water policy, it was not explicitly addressed in SVG’s and Grenada’s water policy. The results show that Saint Lucia has the highest coherence score (93.52) while St. Vincent and the Grenadines has the lowest (91.12). The optimal coherence score that can be possibly obtained is 147, which indicates partial coherence in adaptation mainstreaming in sectoral policies. Expert interviews highlighted problems such as institutional arrangements, a silo approach, funding mechanisms, and policy implementation. Using the knowledge provided by the experts, a seven-step process is proposed to practically achieve policy coherence and operationalize the policies.

Barriers and enablers of environmental policy coherence: A systematic review

“…These perspectives examine coherence by assessing the alignment of local to national, and even national to international policies. In accordance with this perspective, Lewis and Su (2021) studied the degree of coherence between climate-sensitive sectors and showed that "policies must align to combat climate change" (p. 17).…”

“…From another perspective and using the scoring framework ofNilsson et al (2012),Muscat et al (2021) used an online survey to assess the interaction between agro-food and bioeconomy policies in the European Union. Their ratings from an experts' survey (n = 24) allowed them to determine the level of coherence between policies in these two areas within the European Union.3.3.4 | Focus groups, interviews, and workshopsSeveral authors (e.g.,Antwi-Agyei et al, 2017;Huttunen, 2015;Lewis &Su, 2021 andMoure et al, 2021) used focus groups (n = 7) and workshops (n = 8). For example, from a bottom-up perspective of analyzing PC in ethanol production in Thailand,Chaya et al (2019) used focus groups to gather small-scale farmers' perceptions about the role of technologies in their operations.…”

“…Not declaring the research strategy used will likely make it impossible to conduct similar studies.Content analysis (n = 23) and document analysis (n = 14) were the primary data analysis methods used on all 70 articles. The data analyzed in the 70 studies were collected using five main data collection methods, including literature searches, surveys, focus groups, workshops, and interviews.T A B L E 2T A B L E 1 Key perspectives on conceptual and theoretical frameworks for environmental policy coherence.Enables to explore and understand how ideas, institutions, interests, and discourses can lead stakeholders to adhere to policy goals and instruments in promoting coherence.Interviews (n = 5); workshops (n = 1), speeches; press review, media release; records of debates in the legislature branch; policy documents and other official documentsDiscourse analysis (n = 3); document analysis (n = 1); comparative analysis (n = 1).Several studies used literature searches (n = 50) on websites or with government institutions that develop and implement the policies studied(England et al, 2018;Kalaba et al, 2014;Lewis & Su, 2021;Ranabhat et al, 2018). For example, in exploring the level of coher-…”

“…(Antwi-Agyei et al, 2017;Deters, 2018;England et al, 2018;Kelleher et al, 2019;Lewis & Su, 2021) and government officials(Baker et al, 2019;Benson & Lorenzoni, 2017; Bocquillon, 2018) from a top-T A B L E 3…”

Who Makes or Breaks Energy Policymaking in the Caribbean Small Island Jurisdictions? A Study of Stakeholders’ Perceptions

“…Since some incumbent actors (e.g., the electricity sector) have an influential hold on the development of sustainable energy sectors, it is crucial to have a deeper understanding of different stakeholders' perceptions of the electricity sector as a leader in environmental performance and its implications for energy policymaking, environmental sustainability, and the implementation and achievement of a holistic sustainable development strategy. Additionally, studies on energy and innovation highlight the centrality and coherence of policy design for steering policy outcomes [20,[36][37][38]. For example, industrial policy measures can enable the accumulation of firm-level capabilities that are critical for developing economies seeking to escape the middle-income trap [39].…”