Activities

CSRI Action Areas

The objective of the CSRI Initiative is to provide a holistic approach for islands to address climate change in the context of sustainable development. This is to be enacted along eleven action areas which were agreed at the launch of the Initiative in 2019:

Islands have fragile ecosystems ranging from mangroves, mountains, coral reef systems, rivers and forest lands that need to be conserved and used sustainably for the benefit of future generations. Ecosystem services often form the backbone for the economies in SIDS, making it crucial not only from a conservation perspective, but as an economic resource as well. Protected areas have proven in practice to generate greater climate resilience and sustain ecosystem services.
Proposed objectives and actions:
- Conserve and self-manage at least 10% of the terrestrial, coastal and marine areas in SIDS by 2020.
- Enhance healthiness of ocean through 100% ban of plastic littering in island waters by 2025.
- Boost natural resilience of islands through indigenous/climate proofing technologies and nature-based solutions.

Preparing islands for preventable climate-related disasters is critical to reduce the loss and damage caused. In this regard, early warning systems are crucial to accurately understand and predict climate risks. Installation of these technologies will ensure appropriate measures are taken across the islands for the safety of people.
Proposed objectives and actions:
- SIDS are equipped with state-of-the-art technology to observe and predict both climate and non-climate induced hazards by 2030.
- Collaborate with all SIDS site-specific research centers that would enable island specific solutions for disaster risk reduction and ensuring scientific based policy directions in SIDS.

Trade remains at the heart of economic growth. Enhancing trade requires the establishment of the necessary facilities such as harbours, transit-ports, airports and infrastructure or transport mechanisms for connectivity between islands. These facilities need to be designed and engineered in a climate proof manner to ensure durability.
Proposed objectives and actions:
- Introduction of low emission transport networks by 2050.
- Digital communication services between islands, including e-governance, e-commerce, and telemedicine in SIDS by 2025.

Ending poverty in all forms is a global goal. Innovative agricultural techniques, sustainable marine resource management and in particular good practices in fisheries management will result in self-reliant net food exporter nations. This will result in the generation of local markets for sustainable food production and consumption.
Proposed objectives and actions:
- Designate adequate number of sustainable fishing grounds in island waters for domestic consumption and as an economic fishing ground by 2030.
- Promote and advocate for innovative and sustainable marine and aquaculture farming practices in all SIDS.
- Promote SIDS specific urban agriculture and alternative agricultural farming in SIDS.
- Establish food storage facilities (for staple food) at least within adequate of reach in the event of extreme weather events.
- Establish fair market and trading policy for trading food products in SIDS by 2030 that address concerns of all farmers, especially small subsistence farmers.
- Integrate agro-forestry and watershed management including climate change dimension.
- Develop sustainable land management, promoting fixed/permanent agriculture, reduce burning, reduce erosion, and increase soil fertility.

Many SIDS rely on tourism as their primary economic activity. Many fragile ecosystems are overexploited or destroyed due to unsustainable tourism practices. Therefore, it is crucial to explore ways to expand tourism in a more sustainable manner.
Proposed objectives and actions:
- Devise stringent governance and grievance mechanism for sustainable use of island ecosystem by 2022.
- Substantially increase energy efficiency and renewable energy in tourism service industry by 2022.

The closure of the waste loop to ensure greenhouse gases emitted from waste is reduced significantly. The practice of using several alternative waste management techniques to manage and dispose of specific components of the municipal solid waste stream. Waste management alternatives include source reduction, recycling, composting, energy recovery and landfilling in a sustainable manner.
Proposed objectives and actions:
- Phase-out of single use plastics by 2025.
- Reduce, reuse, and recycle of at least 50% waste by 2023.
- Prepare and implement Sustainable Consumption Pattern (SCP) for SIDS with support from the 10-Year Framework Programme on SCP.

Existing physical infrastructure and construction methods are not immune to climate risks irrespective of whether such risks are posed by slow onset events or extreme events. Given space constraints, physical infrastructure including building codes should be assessed for their resilience and ability to withstand the effects of climate risks and these issues must be given priority at planning, construction and operational stages of infrastructure development in the islands. Buildings need to withstand greater climate risks associated with events such as hurricanes and other coastal risks.
Proposed objectives and actions:
- Enhance standards, codes and regulations to ensure climate proofing is addressed in the SIDS critical infrastructure by 2025.
- Establish/enhance affordable insurance mechanism to protect infrastructures from slow on set of events or extreme events by 2030.
- Enhance multilateral cooperation to address permanent losses and damages, and climate displacement.

Renewable energy and energy efficiency remains a central element in moving towards low-emission development pathway as enshrined in the Paris Agreement. SIDS have set clear targets for emissions reduction by increasing renewable energy in their national energy mix. SIDS and development partners collaborate through the SIDS Lighthouses initiative, led by IRENA, to facilitate the transition to resilient, renewables-based energy systems. This initiative addresses policy frameworks, investments, access to finance, technology options, and capacity building. Additionally, energy storage is vital for scaling solar and wind power, especially in remote areas and weak grids, enhancing resilience to disasters.
Proposed objectives and actions:
- Increase share and diversity of renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies in the national energy mix by 2030.
- Enhance collaboration within the framework of the SIDS Lighthouses Initiative for improved coordinated action to accelerate deployment of renewable energy solutions in all sectors

Addressing water resource management is pivotal for both consumption and for other needs in the islands. Harnessing innovative approaches for addressing water security that fit island lifestyles will enable the closing of the water loop. It would also enable addressing sanitation and water management.
Proposed objectives and actions:
- Increase storage capacity and catchment management by 2022.
- Establish water distribution networks with treatment facilities by 2023.
- Waste water recycling technologies for enhancement of ground water aquifers by 2025.
- Increase the use of decentralized renewable solutions in water resource management.

To meet the multi-dimensional nature of water security, the CSRI Initiative is developing a Climate Resilient Water Security Programme. This vital programme is a global, SIDS-driven approach working towards the end goal of achieving climate-resilient, environmentally healthy, and water-secure island nations. You can find more information on the process and how to participate here.

- Proposed objectives and actions:
  - Increase storage capacity and catchment management by 2022.
  - Establish water distribution networks with treatment facilities by 2023.
  - Waste water recycling technologies for enhancement of ground water aquifers by 2025.
  - Increase the use of decentralized renewable solutions in water resource management.

To foster healthy communities, proper management of both communicable and non-communicable diseases arising from the changing environment is important. Over the years, island communities have learned that smart hospitals and facilities are transformational in ensuring the well-being of communities in a changing environment. In this regard, WHO Special Initiative on Human Health and Climate Change for SIDS can be used as a strategic platform that would be widely implemented for building a resilient island.
Proposed objectives and actions:
- Strengthen climate resilience and environmental sustainability of healthcare facilities.
- Work towards building green or eco-hospitals through mandating the incorporation of sustainable elements in the siting, design, construction and landscaping of new buildings, and in building expansion and/or retrofit projects.
- Support broader aspects of sustainability in the built environment. Support the use of local and regional materials (reducing transportation energy), utilize salvaged and recycled materials (reducing energy otherwise expended on new production), and support toxic-free products and manufacturing processes.
- Promote the use of modern and renewable energy solutions for resilient health facilities.

Youth and especially women and girls are a critical mass of the population that is essential for undertaking actions on the ground. These voices on climate action have resulted in positive change in the policy of many developed countries. This can be regarded as a greater enabler of climate actions. SIDS are leading in promoting the voice of youth and include them in decision making process.
Proposed objectives and actions:
- Engagement and empowerment of youth in all aspects of climate change.
- Inculcate climate change into educational curriculums.
- Advocate for youth programme on climate actions across the SIDS and at global level to demand for more ambition.
- Promoting and enhancing gender equality and women’s equal participation, including in policies and programmes in the public and private sectors in SIDS.

For now, the main activity of the Initiative is the GCF Readiness project, which is implemented with the principal goals of operationalizing the Initiative, improving SIDS’ access to the GCF, and preparing a concrete climate finance programme for SIDS. The project idea under development focuses on water security in island states – we are still welcoming interested stakeholders to the development and implementation of the programme and will keep you up to date in the news section of this website!

GCF Readiness Support

In 2022 – 2024, the Green Climate Fund’s (GCF) Readiness and Preparatory Support Programme supported the CSRI Initiative and its members in their initial activities, implemented by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) as a delivery partner. The aim of this Readiness proposal was to initiate the operationalization of the CSRI Initiative and kick off its initial activities with the Maldives National Designated Authority (NDA) in the lead as the initial and spearheading proponent of the Initiative in 2019. This Readiness proposal was a single-country proposal with the Republic of Maldives, but all activities were implemented together with and benefited all the Initiative’s partner countries in the three geographical regions of SIDS.

Ministry of Climate Change Environment and Energy Republic of Maldives

Key Activities

Options for operationalizing the CSRI Initiative and its priority activities

Taking stock of SIDS’ direct access to GCF and potential role of the CSRI Initiative

CSRI Climate Resilient Water Security Programme

To identify options for operationalizing the CSRI Initiative, a governance structure and priority activities, the readiness team conducted extensive interviews with SIDS’ NDAs, direct access entities (DAEs) and regional organizations in 2022 and 2023.
Stakeholders consulted to date have expressed that:
- There is a need for the CSRI Initiative as an inter-regional platform. The Initiative should be owned by SIDS and focus on activities that benefit SIDS.
- The Initiative should align with the regional climate finance architecture and build partnerships with SIDS’ DAEs and regional organizations and international agencies.
- Its activities should be planned through multi-annual work plans and programmatic projects supported by external partners. These may include but are not limited to:
  - Supporting the development of GCF projects which focus on global and/or interregional aspects.
  - Facilitating the identification and delivery of science-based climate information, downscaled as needed.
  - Systematically and continuously collecting and delivering information to showcase technologies and project approaches successfully tested in SIDS with large innovation and/or replication potential across SIDS inter-regionally or globally.
  - Convening meetings of SIDS to share experiences. Systematically and regularly collect opinions, information, and proposed solutions from CSRI stakeholders.
- CSRI partnering countries should engage in consultations and jointly elaborate institutional and governance arrangements for the Initiative as well as its work plan.

SIDS represent about one quarter of all countries eligible for GCF finance, but are underrepresented in terms of SIDS-specific accredited entities (AEs).

The Caribbean and Pacific DAEs struggle to meet demand from countries. Caribbean SIDS are covered through regional direct access entities (DAEs), however, there are only three national DAEs. Pacific SIDS have three regional and only three national DAEs, but no DAE accredited for loans, guarantees and equity. AIS SIDS have no national or regional DAE representation and hence are fully dependent on international AEs.

SIDS regional and national DAEs value GCF support but face multiple challenges in project development and implementation.

Domestic capacity for developing and implementing bankable GCF projects remains extremely limited. DAE staff often lack the capacity to meet the growing GCF requirements, and external recruitment of experienced project managers familiar with SIDS is difficult. While its activities are still being shaped out, the CSRI Initiative can contribute to overcoming some of these challenges:

– Systematic and continuous learning and coaching for project developers from SIDS could be considered as part of the CSRI activities, spanning the entire climate project cycle.

Providing evidence for the climate change basis for GCF concept notes and funding proposals remains one of the most pressing issues.

– The CSRI Initiative could facilitate access to universities and academia which have or can generate downscaled climate information at national/local levels that can feed into project development. The Initiative has already developed a brief guidance document on developing a climate change basis for SIDS, a short and practical document that helps navigate available GCF guidance, sources, tools and solutions to address SIDS-specific challenges in developing a climate change basis.

In the Pacific, many SIDS have strong mitigation targets, but corresponding projects are too big, and the regional AEs cannot provide loans. Hence an innovative mechanism to allow SIDS to access grants for mitigation projects would be needed.

– The CSRI Initiative could facilitate knowledge sharing to showcase innovative financing mechanisms, technologies and project approaches successfully tested in SIDS with large innovation and/or replication potential across SIDS inter-regionally or globally.

Water security is one of the greatest threats facing local communities inhabiting Small Island Developing States (SIDS). To meet the multi-dimensional nature of this challenge experienced by climate-vulnerable states, the CSRI Initiative is developing a Climate Resilient Water Security Programme.
This vital programme is a global, SIDS-driven approach working towards the end goal of achieving climate-resilient, environmentally healthy, and water-secure island nations. It seeks to deliver a paradigm shift for SIDS, through a phased approach, to building water security that directly addresses island-specific contextual scenarios and ultimately, delivering solutions for improved water security, climate preparedness and wastewater management. A crucial aspect in achieving the programme’s mission is through engaging in global and inter-regional knowledge exchange throughout each component of the programme.
The private sector brings indispensable financial resources, technological solutions, and expertise and drives the paradigm shift required in water sector. To guide essential steps and actions for private sector engagement in the design and implementation of this Programme, a Roadmap for the CSRI Initiative was developed.

You can find more information on the process and how to participate here.

Climate Resilient Water Security Programme

Water security is one of the greatest challenges facing SIDS communities – SIDS are among the most water-scarce countries in the world and are highly exposed to the impacts of climate change. Sea level rise, changing rainfall patterns and more frequent and severe weather events all threaten to reduce the availability of freshwater resources. To meet the multi-dimensional nature of this challenge, the Climate Smart Resilient Islands (CSRI) Initiative has developed a climate resilient water security programme as part of the CSRI Readiness project in a collaborative process with SIDS, regional DAEs and GCF representatives.

This vital programme of the CSRI Initiative is a global and SIDS-driven approach working towards the end goal of achieving climate-resilient, environmentally healthy, and water-secure island nations. It seeks to deliver a paradigm shift for SIDS, through a phased approach, to building water security that directly addresses island-specific contextual scenarios and ultimately, delivering solutions for improved water security, climate preparedness and wastewater management. A crucial aspect in achieving the programme’s mission is through engaging in global and inter-regional knowledge exchange throughout each component of the programme.

The programme will consist of two phases:

Phase 1 :
Phase 1 will support and pilot the transition of SIDS towards improved water conservation management and efficient use. This will be done through addressing wastewater, surface water run-off, water reuse, and water demand management, along with water governance and the climate information systems that are needed for climate resilient management of water resources. This first phase will be developed through the creation of a global network of SIDS contained within sector-specific working group clusters. The projects implemented within these sectoral clusters will inform the financing models and technical solutions provided to other islands within the second phase.
Phase 2 :
Phase 2 will scale up and extend the practices already initiated to other SIDS. It will necessitate the expansion and strengthening of the knowledge sharing platform and inter-regional institutional knowledge exchange. This will be extended to other SIDS through a designated financing and de-risking facility and umbrella programme. This is critical to Phase 2, enabling financing for a broader range of SIDS-specific climate-resilient, water security aspects.

Abbreviations: IAE – international accredited entity; SAP – simplified approval process.

Private sector engagement

Private sector brings indispensable financial resources, technological solutions, and expertise and drives the paradigm shift required in water sector. To guide essential steps and actions for private sector engagement in the design and implementation of this Programme, a Roadmap for the CSRI Initiative was developed. The Programme design recognises that not all climate-resilient water security projects in SIDS will be enabled solely through loans, equity or guarantees. A funding facility will need to be designed for Phase 2 that allows a menu of financial instruments, including grants for capacity and technical assistance, publc-private partnerships with supported credit enhancements, de-risked loans, tax incentives to contain adverse environmental impacts and even explore the potential for Water Green Bonds.

Any interested SIDS and partnering agencies are welcome to join in the development and collaboration on the programme.

To express your interest, please reach out to us