By admin 
A groundbreaking study by CAF – Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean has revealed critical infrastructure gaps in the Caribbean, underscoring the urgent need for climate-resilient investments. The report, conducted in fifteen Caribbean territories, shows how infrastructure gaps are hampering efforts to strengthen resilience to the growing impacts of climate change on Small Island Developing States (SIDS).
The preliminary findings were shared with Caribbean and Commonwealth Secretariat officials at a symposium in London entitled ‘Accelerating Collective Action in Support of Caribbean SIDS’. The symposium, organized by CAF, in collaboration with the Commonwealth Secretariat and the Antigua and Barbuda High Commission for the United Kingdom, marked the first exclusive, large-scale assessment of Caribbean infrastructure needs.
CAF’s report, Sustainable Pathways: Addressing Infrastructure Needs in the Caribbean, provides data critical for leaders, policymakers and development organizations to drive effective climate resilience initiatives. The study covers five critical areas – transport, energy, water, sanitation and telecommunications – and aims to address a long-standing gap in regional infrastructure data. CAF expanded its scope beyond shareholder countries to include all Caribbean countries to reflect the regional relevance of the findings.
In her presentation, Dr. Veronica Frisancho, Knowledge Manager at CAF, the report’s stark statistics: from 2010 to 2024, natural disasters claimed 260 times more lives in the Caribbean than in Central and South America, although the Caribbean experienced fewer such events. More than 471,000
people became homeless and infrastructure losses in the region amounted to $126.5 billion – twelve times the losses suffered by neighboring regions. Limited access to financial markets further limits the Caribbean’s ability to address these infrastructure challenges.
The research revealed consistent and pressing gaps between sectors. In energy, for example, 85% of the region’s energy is still dependent on fossil fuels, resulting in high costs, frequent outages and limited access to affordable energy outside of Trinidad and Tobago and Suriname. Transport infrastructure, particularly the road network, was found to be deteriorating, with deteriorating roads contributing to increased road fatalities and traffic congestion. However, some positive trends emerged in Barbados, Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago, where investments in climate-resilient designs and drainage systems are helping to protect infrastructure from climate impacts.
In the area of water access, the report noted that while overall availability is relatively good, inefficiencies are significant. Nearly 45 percent of water is lost during delivery, indicating significant waste and costs. Successful initiatives in the Bahamas and Jamaica provide valuable models for improving water efficiency, and CAF’s ongoing water rehabilitation project in Barbados aims to address similar issues, benefiting more than 80,000 citizens.
The CAF recommendations prioritize a shift to renewable energy, resilient infrastructure, regional cooperation and institutional investments. By harnessing the region’s potential in solar and wind energy, Caribbean countries can reduce dependence on expensive imports and fossil fuels. While resilient infrastructure may have higher upfront costs, the report highlights the long-term economic benefits, including cost savings and reduced climate vulnerability. The study also calls for strengthened regulatory frameworks and comprehensive digital literacy to support efficient service delivery and encourage innovation.
CAF’s final report will be released in early 2025 and leaders hope it will provide a basis for coordinated action to strengthen Caribbean infrastructure and reduce climate risks. The findings highlight an urgent call for collective efforts to ensure the region’s sustainability and security in the face of environmental challenges.