Climate adaptation and resilience indices for the Caribbean region: an assessment of four leading indices

Abstract

ABSTRACT Countries of the Caribbean region share a common vulnerability and risk of disappearing if the dangers of climate change and global warming are not addressed collectively and urgently. Over the last decade, four open-source international indices, the Global Climate Risk Index (GCRI), Good Life Index (GLI), Norte Dame Global Adaptation Initiative (ND-GAIN), Yale Environmental Performance Index (EPI), have been developed and employed in research and policy as a measurement tool to aggregate data and examine risks exacerbated by climate change. Countries are ranked internationally based on their level of vulnerability and readiness to implement adaptation solutions. No index is explicitly developed for the Caribbean. However, there is an imperative to bridge community and national adaptation planning, which remains to be better integrated into climate policy and adaptation. Thus, we provide a timely assessment of the four most widely employed indices, reviewing individual country performances, 2010–2020. The results show some similarities regarding the best and worst performers, but significant variation is observed in the rate of improvement and degree of inertia. Each index has strengths and weaknesses. ND-GAIN is the index with the region's most transparent methodology and comprehensive coverage.