Vulnerability and adaptation to climate change in small island developing states: background paper for the expert meeting on adaptation for small island developing states

There are 51 small island developing states which, in spite of their geographical and cultural diversity, share similar economic and sustainable development challenges including low availability of resources, a small but rapidly growing population, remoteness, susceptibility to natural disasters, excessive dependence on international trade and vulnerability to global developments. SIDS also have to contend with a lack of economies of scale, high transportation and communication costs, and costly public administration and infrastructure.