by Brian Francis

PRIME MINISTER and current CARICOM chairman Owen Arthur, in a recent address to the United Nations, called on the global community, especially rich states, to act promptly to slash emissions of greenhouse gases that were causing climate change.

He made the point that it was imperative for Small Island Developing States (SIDS) to adapt "to the adverse impacts of climate change". He further charged that the adverse impacts of climate change – caused mainly by developed countries – will make this adaptation more costly for SIDS, if not impossible, should the international community continue to postpone the implementation of deep emission cuts. The question is: what else should be done to assist SIDS in adapting to climate change?

SIDS often have trouble implementing regulations devised by developed countries because the standards are often too strict. The general cost of implementation is a major barrier. Enforcement of standards is also feeble among SIDS because they are short of finances, have inadequate infrastructure and lack a stake in the process because they usually are not at the table when standards are devised and decided upon.

Standard-setting

For climate-change regulation and environmental regulation in general to be fair and effective, SIDS must have a claim in the standard-setting process. This is because approaches used in industrialised countries often cannot be applied directly in developing countries. SIDS must not only be takers of the standards implemented by developed countries, but also be part of the process of developing regulations and setting standards for reversing the adverse effects of climate change.

Developing countries can secure aid from developed countries via capacity-building and technical assistance, and they can use innovative ways to secure funding for standard-setting from agents, economic and otherwise, who have
a stake in the outcome of regulations.

Indeed, Prime Minister Arthur suggests that developed countries, because of their greater contribution to adverse climate change, have "a moral and legal obligation to assume the lead in significantly reducing harmful greenhouse gas emissions and providing the necessary financial and technological assistance to support the adaptation of developing countries".

Environmental monitoring

Additional efforts to combat adverse climate change and help preserve the environment that are appropriate for developing countries, such as those in the Caribbean, should include environmental monitoring and risk assessment
of local and regional pollution, as well as consideration of approaches to raise the awareness of the general public.

SIDS can also reduce their own emissions by increasing their energy efficiency – one of the best ways would be to eliminate distortions such as subsidising the price of oil in their energy markets. Governments can also ensure that individuals face the true costs of the environmental impact of their actions through the imposition of environmental charges such as fines and taxes on emissions.

The growing correlation between economic development and environmental protection, and the growing costs
of prolonged inaction in responding to climate change should ensure that this issue remains on the front
burner of both developed and developing countries for the foreseeable future.