Climate change is already impacting marine and coastal environments in the UKOTs, many of which are home to sensitive and unique species and habitats. There are concerns that climate change threatens the sustainability of important services such as marine tourism and fisheries, and the livelihood and traditions of many communities.
Since 2021, MCCIP has been collaborating closely with the UKOTs to better understand climate risks and adaptation options, and to build resilience.
Image
In 2021 and with contribution from leading experts from across the UKOTs, MCCIP compiled an initial set of regional-scale climate change assessments to build a knowledge base and identify priority issues across each of the six UKOT regions.
Image
In 2026, building on the regional climate change assessments, MCCIP launched a roadmap for the use of climate-smart marine spatial planning in the UKOTs, and explored its applicability using two case studies: Anguilla and the Turks & Caicos Islands.