By Adrian Alexander, Trinidad and Tobago, Commonwealth 8.7 Network
Climate change is already having a significant impact on the Caribbean, evident in more frequent and intense hurricanes, rising sea levels, warmer seas, and unpredictable rainfall patterns. This environmental instability has far-reaching consequences on the economy, culture, and well-being of Small Island Developing States (SIDS). Particularly, sectors such as fishing, agriculture, and tourism are under severe pressure, while sea level rise threatens the very existence of coastal cities and luxury resorts that are a cornerstone of the region’s economy. [1]
As a result, environmental migration in the region is on the rise, particularly among women and girls, leaving vulnerable populations at increased risk of human trafficking and exploitation. Traffickers exploit the economic and social vulnerabilities of environmental migrants, preying on their desperation in the wake of disasters. [2] After such events, traffickers may pose as disaster relief agencies, further complicating the situation. Authorities must act quickly and regulate disaster response efforts to protect the most at-risk groups, including children and people with disabilities. [3]
However, despite these risks, many Caribbean nations have yet to incorporate comprehensive provisions for human trafficking, forced labour, and modern slavery into their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and Action Plans under the Paris Agreement. This gap presents a critical opportunity for intervention and integration of these issues into climate action.
A solution lies in the whole-of-government and all-of-society approaches championed by initiatives like the Alliance 8.7 Pathfinder Country process. [4] These collaborative frameworks can help eliminate gaps in responses to climate change and modern slavery while avoiding duplication of efforts through the development of comprehensive Country Roadmaps.
Further collaboration across sectors and borders is essential to creating holistic, multi-dimensional responses to the twin challenges of climate change and human trafficking. Examples of such collaborative efforts include the Regional Conference on Environmental Migration and Disaster Displacement for Caribbean Civil Society Organizations convened by IOM Caribbean in Suriname in February 2024 [5], and the launch of the Caribbean Coalition Against Trafficking In Persons (CCATIP) by Free The Slaves and a wide range of regional stakeholders in July 2024. [6]
Looking ahead to the 2024 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP29), global attention is shifting toward advancing the goals set during COP28. There is optimism that COP29 will strengthen commitments to limit global temperature rise to 1.5°C and provide robust protections for the most vulnerable communities. A key development is the operationalisation of the Loss and Damage Fund [7], which could provide crucial climate financing. The adoption of the Multidimensional Vulnerability Index (MVI) by the United Nations [8], which considers both climate vulnerability and GDP, is particularly relevant for the Caribbean and other SIDS, offering a more accurate basis for financial assistance.
Regardless of COP29’s outcomes, it is vital for civil society, academia, businesses, and governments across CARICOM to continue working together to develop comprehensive disaster management policies. These policies must prioritise the protection of vulnerable populations from exploitation, human trafficking, and modern slavery in the aftermath of climate-induced disasters. The urgency of this work cannot be overstated. According to World Bank estimates, by 2050, more than 143 million people across sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia, and Latin America may be displaced due to climate change. Displaced individuals often lose their livelihoods, income, and family connections, significantly increasing their vulnerability to exploitation and trafficking. [9]
There is a pressing need for a coordinated, cross-sectoral approach to addressing both climate change and modern slavery. With climate change driving increasing displacement, vulnerable populations face heightened risks of exploitation and trafficking. By strengthening frameworks that integrate climate action and human rights protections, governments, civil society, and regional partners can build resilience against both environmental and human rights crises. It is only through such holistic approaches that we can protect the future of the Caribbean and its people—ensuring a climate-safe, human rights-respecting region for generations to come.
[7.] https://www.unep.org/news-and-stories/story/what-you-need-know-about-cop27-loss-and-damage-fund
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