Snapshot: Small Island Developing States

Small Island Developing States (SIDS) are a group of low-lying island nations that are home to approximately 65 million people and extremely vulnerable to the impacts of climate change – despite being responsible for less than 1 percent of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

From 1970 to 2020, SIDS lost USD$ 153 billion due to weather, climate and water-related hazards - a significant amount given that the average GDP for SIDS is USD 13.7 billion. For those SIDS whose land lies only five meters or less above sea level, projected sea-level rise represents a direct threat to their existence.

The State of Climate Ambition: Snapshot for Small Island Developing States (SIDS), provide analysis for this group of Climate Promise-supported countries, surrounding their NDC status and implementation readiness.

The Snapshot builds upon, and updates information, from UNDP’s The State of Climate Ambition (Oct 2021). It explores NDC submission, ambition and quality status while assessing progress on key systems and architecture for NDC implementation.

It also looks at areas of past and future Climate Promise support and showcases champion countries.