Bahamas: National policy for the adaptation to climate change

The Government of The Bahamas has prepared this national policy for adaptation to climate change. Specifically, it provides an assessment of the degree of vulnerability of The Bahamas to the projected impacts of climate change by sectors; of the capacity for adaptation to anthropogenic climate change; and proposes strategies for anticipating and ameliorating or avoiding the negative impacts. In addition, it examines some of the possible impacts on: coastal and marine resource and fisheries, terrestrial biodiversity resources, agriculture and forestry, human settlements and human health, water resources, the energy and transportation sector, as well as on tourism and the finance and insurance sectors. The policy provides a plan of action for addressing such impacts.

The national policy identifies government as the major facilitator of the implementation of the policy directives. It also provides a framework for not only advancing the capacity and capability of The Bahamas to effectively adapt to climate change impacts but also contributes significantly to the conservation and preservation of The Bahamas’ natural resources for present and future generations of Bahamians.