Climate Change, Equity and Sustainable Development in Small Island Developing States

Small islands are affected disproportionately by the impacts of climate change, despite contributing minimally to global greenhouse gas emissions. With its unique vulnerabilities in terms of rising sea levels, extreme weather events and coastal erosion, which threaten the very existence of its population, small islands have diverse vulnerable groups, especially those living in poverty and facing varied existing inequalities. With changing climatic conditions, the issue of inequity takes centre stage, as vulnerable populations face disproportionate consequences. Climate change exacerbates existing inequalities, disproportionately affecting marginalised communities with limited resources and capacities. Inequities are evident in disparities in access to clean water, food security, healthcare, education and the ability to adapt to climate-induced disruptions. Owing to structural inequalities, the impacts of climate change are not felt evenly by all people. The nexus between climate change and inequality is complex, not only because of multiple climate hazards affecting the vulnerable groups more as they depend on the environment, but also because climate change exacerbates existing inequalities and inequities. In fact, inequalities are multidimensional and they need to be addressed in order to build resilience to climate hazards and avoid development reversals. The chapter assesses the complex link between climate change, inequities and sustainable development across small islands. The study adopts a comprehensive framework to analyse the interconnected challenges of climate change and inequity. The chapter links the importance of SDG 13 (Climate Action) and its synergy with sustainable development, illustrating how achieving climate resilience and mitigation contributes to broader sustainable development objectives. Using secondary data from different sources, we build that linkage through a comprehensive framework and establish the correlation between climate change, inequities and sustainable goals across small islands.