Saint Lucia s Sectoral Adaptation Strategy and Action Plan for the Water Sector (Water SASAP) 2018-2028.

This Saint Lucia s Sectoral Adaptation Strategy and Action Plan for the Water Sector (Water SASAP) 2018-2028 is a cross-sectoral policy document at the national level. The overarching goal of the Water SASAP is to drive the implementation of effective adaptation actions across all sectors and at all levels of society for safeguarding Saint Lucia s water resources and services under a changing climate. In the SASAP, the adaptation measures are grouped under 13 strategic objectives and contribute to four major expected outcomes, namely: Outcome 1. Enhanced enabling environment and improved behaviour for water-related climate adaptation action; Outcome 2. Increased water access, availability and quality; Outcome 3. Increased water efficiency and conservation; Outcome 4. Strengthened preparedness to climate variability and extremes.
The SASAP promotes to contribute to food security. One of the proposed projects is: Increasing water availability during dry periods: Pilot project for Rainwater Harvesting (RWH) systems for farms (poultry farms, small crop farm holdings). This initiative aims to assist in maintaining agricultural production levels during the dry season; or in drought conditions, reduce reliance on the water utilities company for supplying water to farms; and directly support food security.
The SASAP seeks to make agriculture more productive and sustainable. One of the proposed strategic objectives is to promote climate smart agriculture. Some of the prioritised adaptation measures are: Document best practices in dryland agriculture in the Caribbean; Extend drip irrigation use and develop irrigation networks that allow for the recycling of waste water; Extend the use of soil and water conservation measures (mulching, appropriate terracing, etc.) to reduce water losses and erosion; Improve farm drainage infrastructure, cultivation and harvesting practices to reduce impacts of soil water stress during heavy precipitation periods.
According to the SASAP, in Saint Lucia, poverty, age, and level of education achieved appear to be greater drivers of vulnerability than gender. In this context, and to foster equality in adaptation benefits, the SASAP focus their attention on vulnerable groups, and include activities focussing on women and men based on other vulnerabilities.
The SASAP promotes to enable more inclusive and efficient agricultural and food systems. The prioritized adaptation measures include: Set up demonstration plots showcasing climate-smart farming techniques. Facilitate farmers training on climate smart agriculture through farmer field schools; Review agricultural support mechanisms and policies to promote water efficient production methods and techniques.
The Water SASAP has been designed as a ten-year framework for action to reduce water-related risks induced by climate change and climate variability in Saint Lucia and to build capacities of relevant actors for ensuring the sustainable management of water resources and services under current and future climatic conditions. Proposed strategic objectives include: 1. Improve hydrometeorological monitoring, emergency planning and decision making; 2. Minimise water-related climate change risks by adopting ecosystem-based adaptation solutions; 3. Promote climate resilient business development; 4. Improve water infrastructure to build climate resilience; 5. Encourage water efficiency under a changing climate by improving water pricing, water utility revenue and water conservation incentives; 6. Improve the national policy, legal and regulatory framework to facilitate climate adaptation in the water and water-dependent sectors; 7. Scale-up national human capacity for the design and implementation of water-related climate adaptation projects; 8. Strengthen Integrated Watershed Management to build climate resilience; 9. Promote the sustainable use of alternative water sources to ensure water availability under a changing climate; 10. Improve wastewater management to reduce pollution and increase water availability under a changing climate; 11. Set and scale-up water quality and pollution control in a changing climate.