Abstract
The purpose of this research is to explore effective strategies for climate change adaptation in the small island developing states. I analyzed the case studies of Tuvalu and Samoa from four viewpoints: 1) climate change impacts; 2) characteristics and costs of adaptation; 3) national policy and institutions; and 4) financing systems for adaptation. The research shows that Tuvalu needs reactive, top-down, high-cost adaptation. Tuvalu has a low capacity to implement adaptation measures, and the effective financing system for adaptation in Tuvalu is one in which recipients are regional organizations. Samoa needs anticipatory, relatively low-cost adaptation. With Samoa's relatively high capacity to implement adaptation, its effective financing systems are those in which the donor is the Global Environmental Facility, and the recipients are national and local organizations.
