National Policy for the Adaptation to Climate Change.

The National Policy for the Adaptation to Climate Change is a national policy with a multi-sectoral approach. The goal of the Policy is to avoid, minimize, adapt to, or mitigate, the negative impacts of climate change on environment, economy, human health and well-being, through institutional capacity building, research and development, technology transfer and public and private sector investments.
Long-term sustainable strategies will be developed for the agricultural sector to ensure food security.
Climate change adaptation policies, plans, and projects will be integrated into the national planning and budgetary processes in compliance with the national social, economic, and environmental developmental goals. The participation of all stakeholders at the national level will be enhanced in addressing issues related to climate change. Awareness-raising on climate change will be ensured at all levels and in all sectors. Long-term measures will be taken to address the impacts of climate change to ensure sustainable development in the agriculture, fisheries, energy, forestry, tourism and water sectors. National and institutional capacity building will be improved in all aspects of climate change research, response, and planning. Research and information gathering will be promoted at the national and regional level. To this end, a National Climate Change Database and Information System will be established to be used by all relevant agencies. An enabling environment for the adoption of appropriate technologies and practices will be created to assist in meeting national and international commitments with respect to the causes and effects of climate change. Financial support will be provided for effective climate change adaptation and mitigation. The resilience of environment and economy to climate change will be increased through the integration of ecological processes and development of a strong and diversified economy. This Policy has a multi-hazard focus on the agriculture sector including drought, hurricanes and storms as well as pest invasion, animal disease outbreaks and soil salinization. A National Adaptation Strategy for Agriculture will be developed to address impacts on crops and livestock in the short, medium and long-term. Furthermore this Strategy will be incorporated into the National Land Use Management Plan. Water infrastructure will be developed to increase agricultural productivity in despite of the impacts of climate change. In addition to that, freshwater management will be developed to ensure water availability during drought periods. The use of water saving devices will be promoted for water efficiency. Fishery management and conservation will be strengthened against increased ocean temperatures, sea level rise, increased severe weather events, by means of coastal monitoring, data collection and national assessment of coastal areas and of coastal and fishery resources. Ecosystem preservation will be ensured in coastal and marine areas as well as in terrestrial areas, in order to conserve biodiversity. The use of renewable energy resources will be promoted with the application of energy efficient technologies. Measures will be taken to reduce emissions in compliance with the Kyoto Protocol. The efficient management, utilization, and protection of all the forest resource will be ensured to lessen the adverse impacts of climate change and man-made hazards. Tree planting initiatives will be encouraged for protection of soil and freshwater resources, and habitats for animals. In order to safeguard human health, health-related climate change issues will be addressed and incorporated into the national health plans.
The National Climate Change Committee shall monitor the implementation of this National Climate Change Adaptation Policy and present an annual report to the Cabinet and the House of Assembly on measures that have been undertaken to implement this policy.