Delivering transformational change 2011 - 21 Implementing the CARICOM ‘Regional Framework for Achieving Development Resilient to Climate Change’

This is the caricom implementation plan for the ‘regional framework for achieving development resilien t to climate change’ (the regional framework) which defines the region’s strategic approach for coping with climate change. CARICOM countries have considerable cause for concern a as the threats posed by a changing climate to their development prospects are severe and both mitigation and adaptation will require a significant and sustained investment of resources that the member states will be unable to provide on their own . Building climate resilient low carbon economies requires a transformational change by governments, regional organisations, ngos, the private sector and civil society supported by an unprecedented level of financial and technical assistance from the developed world. This concern is reflected in the liliendaal declaration which the car icom heads of government endorsed at their meeting in guyana in july 2009 ( annex 1 ). The liliendaal declaration defines the national and international position of the caricom member states and makes a number of declarations which can only be delivered by t ransformational change, including for example_ 1. Long - term stabilization of atmospheric greenhouse gas concentrations at levels which will ensure that global average surface temperature increases will be limited to well below 1.5° c of pre - industrial levels; that global greenhouse gas emissions should peak by 2015; global co 2 reductions of at least 45 percent by 2020 and reducing greenhouse gas emissions by more than 95% of 1990 co 2 levels by 2050. 2. Adaptation and capacity building must be prioritized and a fo rmal and well financed framework established within and outside the unfccc to address the immediate and urgent, as well as long term, adaptation needs of vulnerable countries, particularly the sids and the ldcs. 3. The need for financial support to sids to en hance their capacities to respond to the challenges brought on by climate change and to access the technologies that will be required to undertake needed mitigation actions and to adapt to the adverse impacts of climate change