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Countries | Saint Lucia

WHO / UNFCCC Climate & Health Profile 2020

National Context

Country Background

Saint Lucia is a volcanic mountainous island, forming part of the Windward Islands, and bordered by the Caribbean Sea and Atlantic Ocean (1,2). The heaviest rains usually fall between June and November, which typically come from tropical waves, depressions, storms and hurricanes, owing to its location within the Atlantic hurricane belt (2). A significant proportion of Saint Lucia’s population and its economic activities are located along the coast of the island. The country’s economy has grown in recent years, owing largely to increasing tourism and construction activities (3).

Climate change is projected to cause increased mean temperature, sea level rise, more extreme weather events, and changing precipitation patterns across Saint Lucia. With so much of the country’s population and economic activity located along the coast, Saint Lucia is particularly vulnerable to the effects of climate change. Risks to the health of Saint Lucia’s population include vector- and waterborne diseases, food insecurity, heat stress, respiratory illnesses, degradation of marine habitats, saline contamination of fresh water, and injuries and deaths from extreme weather events (4).

The Government of Saint Lucia recognizes the threats posed by climate change and is committed to reducing its own greenhouse gas emissions, despite their small contribution to global emissions, and building resilience and implementing adaptation actions to counter the country’s high vulnerability to climate change. Saint Lucia’s nationally determined contribution (NDC) highlights the importance of the health co-benefits of climate mitigation and identifies human health as a key priority for adaptation implementation (4). 

Highest Priority Climate Sensitive Health Risks

Climate Hazards Relevant for Health

Climate Hazard Projections for Saint Lucia

Country-specific projections are outlined up to the year 2100 for climate hazards under a ‘business as usual’ high emissions scenario compared to projections under a ‘two-degree’ scenario with rapidly decreasing global emissions (see Figures 1–5). The climate model projections given below present climate hazards under a high emissions scenario, Representative Concentration Pathway 8.5 (RCP8.5 – in orange) and a low emissions scenario (RCP2.6 – in green). 1 1Model projections are from CMIP5 for RCP8.5 (high emissions) and RCP2.6 (low emissions). Model anomalies are added to the historical mean and smoothed.

The text describes the projected changes averaged across about 20 global climate models (thick line). The figures 2 2Analysis by the Climatic Research Unit, University of East Anglia, 2018. also show each model individually as well as the 90% model range (shaded) as a measure of uncertainty and the annual and smoothed observed record (in blue).3 3Observed historical record of mean temperature is from CRU-TSv3.26 and total precipitation is from GPCC. Observed historical records of extremes are from JRA55 for temperature and from GPCC-FDD for precipitation. In the following text the present-day baseline refers to the 30-year average for 1981–2010 and the end-of-century refers to the 30-year average for 2071–2100.

Modelling uncertainties associated with the relatively coarse spatial scale of the models compared with that of small island States are not explicitly represented. There are also issues associated with the availability and representativeness of observed data for such locations.

FIGURE 1: Mean annual temperature, 1900–2100

Under a high emissions scenario, the mean annual temperature is projected to rise by about 2.9°C on average by the end-of-century (i.e. 2071–2100 compared with 1981–2010). If emissions decrease rapidly, the temperature rise is limited to about 0.9°C.

FIGURE 2: Total annual precipitation, 1900–2100

Total annual precipitation is projected to decrease by about 22% on average under a high emissions scenario, although the uncertainty range is large (-52% to +3%). If emissions decrease rapidly there is little projected change on average: a decrease of 5% with an uncertainty range of -15% to +5%.

FIGURE 3: Percentage of hot days (‘heat stress’), 1900–2100

The percentage of hot days4 4A ‘hot day’ (‘hot night’) is a day when maximum (minimum) temperature exceeds the 90th percentile threshold for that time of the year.  is projected to increase substantially from about 23% of all observed days on average in 1981–2010 (10% in 1961–1990). Under a high emissions scenario, almost 100% of days on average are defined as ‘hot’ by the end-of-century. If emissions decrease rapidly, about 90% of days on average are ‘hot’. Note that the models tend to overestimate the observed increase in hot days (about 30% of days on average in 1981–2010 rather than 23%). Similar increases are seen in hot nights (not shown). 

FIGURE 4: Contribution of very wet days (‘extreme rainfall’ and ‘flood risk’) to total annual rainfall, 1900–2100

The proportion of total annual rainfall from very wet days5 5The proportion (%) of annual rainfall totals that falls during very wet days, defined as days that are at least as wet as the historically 5% wettest of all days (about 30% for 1981–2010) could decrease a little by the end-of-century (to around 25% on average with an uncertainty range of about 5% to 45%), with little change if emissions decrease rapidly. Total annual rainfall is projected to decrease (see Figure 2). 

FIGURE 5: Standardized Precipitation Index (‘drought’), 1900–2100

The Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI) is a widely used drought index which expresses rainfall deficits/excesses over timescales ranging from 1 to 36 months (here 12 months, i.e. SPI12).6 6SPI is unitless but can be used to categorize different severities of drought (wet): above +2.0 extremely wet; +2.0 to +1.5 severely wet; +1.5 to +1.0 moderately wet; +1.0 to +0.5 slightly wet; +0.5 to -0.5 near normal conditions; -0.5 to -1.0 slight drought; -1.0 to -1.5 moderate drought; -1.5 to -2.0 severe drought; below -2.0 extreme drought. It shows how at the same time extremely dry and extremely wet conditions, relative to the average local conditions, change in frequency and/or intensity. 

Under a high emissions scenario, SPI12 values are projected to decrease to about -0.5 on average by the end of the century (2071–2100), with a number of models indicating substantially larger decreases and hence more frequent and/or intense drought. Year-to-year variability remains large with wet episodes continuing to occur into the future. 

Tropical cyclones

It is anticipated that the total number of tropical cyclones may decrease towards the end of the century. However, it is likely that human-induced warming will make cyclones more intense (an increase in wind speed of 2–11% for a mid-range scenario (i.e. RCP4.5 which lies between RCP2.6 and RCP8.5 – shown on pages 4–5) or about 5% for 2ºC global warming). Projections suggest that the most intense events (category 4 and 5) will become more frequent (although these projections are particularly sensitive to the spatial resolution of the models). It is also likely that average precipitation rates within 100 km of the storm centre will increase – by a maximum of about 10% per degree of warming. Such increases in rainfall rate would be exacerbated if tropical cyclone translation speeds continue to slow (6–13).7 7Information and understanding about tropical cyclones (including hurricane and typhoons) from observations, theory and climate models has improved in the past few years. It is difficult to make robust projections for specific ocean basins or for changes in storm tracks. Presented here is a synthesis of the expected changes at the global scale.

The season for tropical cyclones in Saint Lucia is between June and November. Saint Lucia faces a high risk of tropical cyclones and landslides and ranks 5th among small states for climate-induced events. Among 182 countries in the Climate Risk Index, Saint Lucia was in the top 10% of countries that suffered losses to climate-related natural hazards during 1997–2016 (14). Between 1980 and 2010, six major tropical cyclones along with three other climate-related natural hazards crossed or had effects on Saint Lucia’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEC) (14). Four of the tropical cyclones occurred between 1999 and 2010.

Sea level rise

Sea level rise is one of the most significant threats to low-lying areas on small islands and atolls. Research indicates that rates of global mean sea level rise are almost certainly accelerating as a result of climate change.

The average change in Caribbean sea level over the period 1993–2010 (15) is projected at 1.7 mm/year (± 1.3), with substantial spatial variability across the region. A further 0.5–0.6m rise is expected in the Caribbean by the end of the century (16) with variation amongst models and emissions scenarios.

The relatively long response times to global warming mean that sea level will continue to rise for a considerable time after any reduction in emissions.

Potential impacts of sea level rise include:

  • Coastal erosion
  • Ecosystem disruption
  • Higher storm surges
  • Population displacement
  • Water contamination and disruption
  • Mental health

Health Impacts of Climate Change

National Response

Health System Capacity and Adaptation: Monitoring Progress

The following section measures progress in the health sector in responding to climate threats based on country reported data collected in the 2021 WHO Health and Climate Change Country Survey (34).

Governance And Leadership

National Planning for Health and Climate Change

Question questioncategory question Answer
Has a national health and climate change strategy or plan been developed ? NO
Are the health co-benefits of climate change mitigation action considered in the strategy/plan? NO
Level of implementation of the strategy/plan? NO
Portion of estimated costs to implement the strategy/plan covered in the health budget NO
Are health adaptation priorities identified in the strategy/plan? NO
Notes
Table Legend: Yes (√) / No (X) / Unknown/Not applicable (N/A).
Definition: In this context, a national strategy or plan is a broad term that includes national health and climate strategies as well as the health component of national adaptation plans (H-NAPs).

Intersectoral Collaboration to Address Climate Change

Is there an agreement in place between the ministry of health and this sector which defines specific roles and responsibilities in relation to links between health and climate change policy?

Question questioncategory question Answer
Is there an agreement in place between the ministry of health and this sector which defines specific roles and responsibilities in relation to links between health and climate change policy? Transportation NO
Is there an agreement in place between the ministry of health and this sector which defines specific roles and responsibilities in relation to links between health and climate change policy? Electricity generation NO
Is there an agreement in place between the ministry of health and this sector which defines specific roles and responsibilities in relation to links between health and climate change policy? Household energy NO
Is there an agreement in place between the ministry of health and this sector which defines specific roles and responsibilities in relation to links between health and climate change policy? Agriculture NO
Is there an agreement in place between the ministry of health and this sector which defines specific roles and responsibilities in relation to links between health and climate change policy? Social services NO
Is there an agreement in place between the ministry of health and this sector which defines specific roles and responsibilities in relation to links between health and climate change policy? Water, Sanitation & Waste-water management NO
Notes
Table Legend: Yes (√) / No (X) / Unknown/Not applicable (N/A)
Yes = Specific roles and responsibilities between the national health authority and the sector indicated are defined in the agreement.

Vulnerability and Adaptation Assessments for Health

Question questioncategory question Answer
Has an assessment of health vulnerability and impacts of climate change been conducted at a national level? YES
→ Level of influence of the assessment findings on policy prioritization to address the health risks of climate change NO
→ Level of influence of the assessment findings on human and financial resource allocation to address the health risks of climate change NO
Notes
Table Legend:
Question 1: Yes (√) / No (X) / Unknown/Not applicable (N/A)
Questions 2 and 3: None, Minimal, Somewhat, Strong

Climate-sensitive diseases and health outcomes qid Health surveillance system is in place (a) Health surveillance system includes meteorological information (b)
Thermal stress (e.g. heat waves) 22111 NO NO
Vector-borne diseases 22121 YES NO
Foodborne diseases 22131 YES NO
Waterborne diseases 22141 YES NO
Nutrition (e.g. malnutrition associated with extreme-climatic events) 22151 NO
Injuries (e.g. physical injuries or drowning in extreme weather events) 22161 NO NO
Mental health and well-being 22171 NO NO
Airborne and respiratory diseases 22181 YES
Notes
Table Legend: Yes (√) / No (X) / Unknown/Not applicable (N/A)
(a) A positive response indicates that the health surveillance system is in place, it will identify changing health risks or impacts AND it will trigger early action.
(b) Meteorological information refers to either short-term weather information, seasonal climate information OR long-term climate information

Climate hazard qid Health early warning system (HEWS) in place? Health sector response plan in place? Health sector response plan includes meteorological information?
Heat waves 23111 YES NO NO
Storms (e.g. hurricanes, monsoons, typhoons) 23131 YES YES YES
Flooding 23141 YES YES YES
Drought 23161 YES YES YES
Air quality (e.g. particulate matter, ozone levels) 23171
Notes
Table Legend: Yes (√) / No (X) / Unknown/Not applicable (N/A)

Human Resource Capacity

Question questioncategory question Answer
Is there a national curriculum developed to train health personnel on the health impacts of climate change? NO
Does your human resource capacity as measured through the International Health Regulations Monitoring Framework (IHR) adequately consider the human resource requirements to respond to climate-related events? NO
Notes
Table Legend: Yes (√) / No (X) / Unknown/Not applicable (N/A)

Health Care Facilities, Infrastructure and Technology

Question questioncategory question Answer
Has there been a national assessment of the climate resilience of health infrastructure and technology?
Have measures been taken to increase the climate resilience of health infrastructure and technology?
Is there a national initiative/programme in place to promote the use of low-carbon, energy-efficient, sustainable technologies in the health sector?
Notes:
Table Legend: Yes (√) / No (X) / Unknown/Not applicable (N/A)

Finance

Question questioncategory question Answer
Is your government currently accessing international funds to support climate change and health work? YES
Notes:
Table Legend: Yes (√) / No (X) / Unknown/Not applicable (N/A)

Funding Challenges

Greatest challenges faced in accessing international climate funds

Question questioncategory question Answer
Greatest challenges faced in accessing international climate funds Lack of information on the opportunities
Greatest challenges faced in accessing international climate funds Lack of country eligibility YES
Greatest challenges faced in accessing international climate funds Lack of connection by health actors to climate change processes
Greatest challenges faced in accessing international climate funds Lack of capacity to prepare country proposals YES
Greatest challenges faced in accessing international climate funds Lack of success in submitted applications YES
Greatest challenges faced in accessing international climate funds None (no challenges/challenges were minimal)
Greatest challenges faced in accessing international climate funds Not applicable
Greatest challenges faced in accessing international climate funds Other (please specify)
Notes:
Table Legend: Yes (√) / No (X) / Unknown/Not applicable (N/A)

Opportunities for Action

Strengthen Integrated Risk Surveillance and Early Warning Systems

Creation of a mechanism for knowledge management for development will contribute to the generation and dissemination of information on climate-related hazards and risks for the general population and sub-population groups. This will provide an integrated and advanced warning system, identify and promote best practices in health co-benefit responses, and strengthen networking to increase the prospect of sustainability of response actions. Training and development of system tools will enable continuous data collection from national, regional and international sources, including meteorological data, analysis and dissemination.

Improve Resilience of Health Sector Infrastructure and Operations

SMARTING10 10The Smart Hospital initiative builds on the Safe Hospital Initiative and focuses on improving hospitals resilience, strengthening structural and operational aspects and providing green technologies. Energy improvements include solar panels installations, electric storage batteries and low-consumption electrical systems, which, in addition to reducing energy consumption, reduce health sector carbon footprint in the environment and provide the hospital with energy autonomy, allowing it to continue running during emergencies and disasters. is important to ensure facilities are safe and operate efficiently. Expansion of the SMARTING project to include facilities across the island, including the main public hospital, will ensure the overwhelming majority of the population (including women, children and persons with disabilities) can access quality health care in both pre- and post-disaster periods. The remaining twenty seven (27) health facilities will be upgraded to improve safety in service delivery and to ensure they can structurally, non-structurally, and functionally withstand climate-related events.

Address Barriers to Accessing International Climate Change Finance to Support Health Adaptation

This will entail development of the climate change mitigation–adaptation project portfolio. Financial and technical resources will be secured to develop the local human resource capacity to design projects, including ensuring training and coaching to craft the projects to ensure mitigation–adaptation gaps identified in the National Adaptation Plan Stocktaking, Climate Risk and Vulnerability Assessment Report are addressed and to also ensure the project is consistent with the Climate Change Adaptation Policy (2015).

Strengthen the Policy Environment to Underscore Health Co-benefits in Mitigation Strategies

This entails the revision of the Climate Change Adaptation Policy (2015) to incorporate health as a primary area of focus along with the current areas – economy, social systems and ecosystems. The revision of the policy will contribute to create a supportive environment for the development and implementation of health co-benefit projects.

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