• Project
• Jamaica / Caribbean Islands

Leveraging Ecosystem-Based Adaptation and Digital Sensing Technologies to Enhance Climate Resilience and Empower Coastal Communities in Jamaica (CLIMATESCAN)

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• Award: Research Project Award
• Theme: Oceans & Climate
• Duration: 30 Months
• Code: OSO/23/PA/001

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CLIMATESCAN will use ecosystem-based adaptation and digital sensing technologies to enhance climate resilience and empower coastal communities in Jamaica.

Jamaica’s coastal areas face significant vulnerability to climate hazards, including sea-level rise, coastal erosion, storms, flooding, and saltwater intrusion. These challenges can lead to increased infrastructure costs and the depletion of valuable coastal resources such as fisheries. The CLIMATESCAN project will establish a Coastal City Living Lab (CCLL) in the Falmouth area to serve as a collaborative platform for evaluating the effectiveness of nature-based solutions (NBS) and smart technologies in addressing climate challenges.

The project will promote knowledge exchange and capacity building through workshops, conferences and publications, and strengthen expertise in climate resilience and coastal management. Our Key objectives are:

• Development of an integrated coastal zone management framework to strengthen the implementation of NBS.
• Establishing a monitoring network of low-cost digital sensors, to collect real-time data on critical environmental parameters like sea-level fluctuations and erosion patterns.
• Fostering co-creation and co-learning by bringing together diverse stakeholders.
• Facilitating evidence-based decision-making and adaptive management practices.
• A comprehensive policy brief outlining key recommendations for enhancing climate resilience in coastal regions.
• A integrated framework handbook to increase climate resilience across the Caribbean.
• Contributions to the long-term sustainability of coastal communities.