Towards a Resilient, Inclusive and Green Recovery in the Caribbean

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic brought to the fore socio-economic and structural inequities and underlying governance issues related to accountability, transparency and shared decision-making. It offered an opportunity to address these inequities and the existential and intertwined risks from biodiversity loss and the climate emergency as governments focused on the critical task of responding to and recovering from COVID-19 impacts. Despite widespread global calls for a transformative approach, Caribbean Community governments are so far largely shaping their post-COVID-19 recovery with limited focus on green and inclusive approaches, although some opportunities emerged for longer-term transformative approaches. CARICOM small island developing states should engage in pro-poor, inclusive, environmentally sustainable and resilient development, involving rethinking of the current governance model and recognition of the role of civil society. Ecosystem-based solutions by civil society organisations, local communities and small and micro-enterprises that deliver ecological and socio-economic resilience, especially targeting the poor, should be a focus of investment in recovery initiatives. These solutions not only address climate change and natural disasters, but provide co-benefits for biodiversity conservation, food and water security and sustainable livelihoods for the most vulnerable.