Infrastructure, Risk, & Resilience on SIDS: Navigating the nexus

Small Island Developing States (SIDS) suffer disproportionately from the adverse effects of global warming such as hurricanes, flooding, droughts, and sea level rise. Between 1970 and 2020, SIDS collectively lost $153 billion from extreme events, largely from infrastructure damage and the consequent breakdown of critical services. Constrained by their small size and available resources, SIDS rely heavily on imports for most of their construction needs, often through complex supply-chain configurations increasingly threatened by volatile markets, rising transport costs and geopolitical concerns. Unplanned and unrestrained infrastructure development heightens the risk of maladaptation, especially in climate-vulnerable SIDS. By recognizing the complex dynamics of material stock, flows, and service provision, policymakers can mitigate systemic risks and safeguard the long-term well-being of island societies.