COASTAL SETBACK PRACTICES IN THE CARIBBEAN AND OTHER SIDS: A TOOL FOR ENHANCING RESILIENCE

Abstract

This paper examines and compares existing coastal setback policies in use throughout the Caribbean and in other SIDS globally and considers recent climate change predictions. Recommendations are made for a sciencebased approach to applying setbacks, which incorporates elements of climate change predictions and longer-term observations. Finally, a case-study comparison is presented, between the most promising coastal setback approaches, and the observed incursion of storm waves at a coastal community in Jamaica during a major hurricane in 2004 (Hurricane Ivan – In Jamaica: 17 killed and US$575 million in damages).