ABSTRACT
The world’s small island developing states (SIDS) are often cited as the most vulnerable countries to climate impacts and the first nations on Earth to face critical climate change thresholds. Yet they have contributed least to the growing concentrations of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere and so have the least responsibility for the crisis the world now faces. They are least likely to be heard at the negotiating table, as they lack the political weight of the major emitters. As a result, their vulnerability goes unnoticed and their voices go unheard. They are also least likely to be the beneficiaries of climate funds, most of which get spent on mitigation (particularly energy projects) rather than adaptation. And when action is taken they are least likely to be involved in the consultations.
