Small Islands Big Picture

In this episode, Emily and Matt try to find out why it has blazed such a successful trail, what reforms might ultimately result from it, and where SIDS fit into the process.  Featuring:Emily Wilkinson (host) | RESI Director and Principal Research Fellow at ODI GlobalMatthew Bishop (host) | RESI Director and Senior Lecturer at the University of SheffieldAlicia Nicholls | Trade Policy Expert from BarbadosMichael Jacobs | Professor of Political Economy, University of Sheffield, and Visiting Senior Fellow, ODI GlobalPep Bardouille | Director of the Bridgetown Initiative and Special Adviser on Climate Resilience, Barbados Prime Minister's Office Resources:Programme page | Resilient and Sustainable Islands Initiative (RESI)Official website | The Bridgetown Initiative 3.0Michael’s recent ODI Piece | The New Development and Climate Finance AgendaMichael’s accompanying report|International development and climate finance: the new agendaOur forthcoming book | Sustaining Development in Small IslandsOur report on loss and damage | The price of a changing climate: extreme weather and economic loss and damage in SIDSOur report on poverty | Islands at the Edge: How climate shocks shape poverty in SIDSOur Conversation Piece | Extreme weather has already cost vulnerable island nations US$141 billion—or about US$2,000 per personRESI Brochure | Towards a New Knowledge Architecture for SIDSOur T20 policy brief | Financing Resilient Prosperity in SIDSAnother T20 policy brief by our friends in Barbados | An Inclusive Agenda for SIDS at the G20

Since the Paris Agreement of 2015, legal action around climate change has grown. This takes many forms, from community groups and public bodies suing oil companies, to international litigation by states within multilateral courts. The most prominent initiative is the pursuit of an “Advisory Opinion” at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on the “Obligations of States in respect of climate change” pursued tenaciously by a very small state, Vanuatu. In this episode, Emily and Matt make sense of this phenomenon by asking who is leading these initiatives, why they are gathering steam, and which hold out the greatest promise of success. We hear from Rosie Macinnes, from the remote Scottish island of Raasay, in “Island Voices”. Anne-Sophie Vivier, a key figure in Vanuatu’s ICJ initiative, joins us for our “Explainer” to demystify the process. In “The Big Picture”, we hear from three legal experts – Zachary Phillips from the government of Antigua and Barbuda, Kate McKenzie of the Climate Change Legal Initiative (C2LI), and Francesco Sindico of the University of Strathclyde – who talk us through various dimensions of the climate litigation panorama. Finally, in “No Stupid Questions”, Matt and Emily ask whether we can really attribute responsibility for climate change to individual countries or firms.

In May 2024, the Fourth International Conference on Small Island Developing States (SIDS4) took place in Antigua, where leaders agreed the next ten-year roadmap for Small Island Developing States (SIDS), the “Antigua and Barbuda Agenda for SIDS: A Renewed Agenda for Resilient Prosperity (ABAS)”.In this episode, Emily and Matt review the conference, bringing to life the event’s atmosphere, discussing key highlights, and – crucially – asking “What now needs to happen for the ABAS to be successful over the next decade?”.In “Island Voices”, Naya Sena provides a civil society perspective on SIDS4. In the “Explainer”, Margot St John-Sebastian talks through the negotiating process that produced the ABAS. In “The Big Picture”, Sai Navoti, Rebecca Fabrizi and Tumasie Blair reflect separately on their conference highlights.Featuring:Emily Wilkinson (host) | RESI Director and Principal Research Fellow at ODIMatthew Bishop (host) | RESI Director and Senior Lecturer at the University of SheffieldNaya Sena | Researcher, Atmosphere and Ocean Research Institute, University of TokyoMargot St John-Sebastian | Lead Negotiator, AOSISSai Navoti | Chief of the SIDS Unit, UNDESARebecca Fabrizi | UK Small Island Developing States (SIDS) Envoy and Head of the Caribbean and SIDS Department at FCDOTumasie Blair | Deputy Permanent Representative of Antigua and Barbuda to the UNResourcesProgramme page | Resilient and Sustainable Islands Initiative (RESI)SIDS4 Communiqué | The Antigua and Barbuda Agenda for SIDS (ABAS) – A Renewed Declaration for Resilient ProsperitySIDS4 Policy brief | A global bargain for resilient prosperity in SIDSFuture Forum Report | Shaping the Future of Small Island Developing StatesGlobal Voices piece | Why small islands need their own Marshall PlanRESI Debt Project | Breaking the Cycle of Debt in SIDSConversation piece | Debt-disaster-debt: hurricane-damaged islands are being saddled with loans they cannot affordGuardian piece | Caribbean leaders call for ‘Marshall plan’ to help rebuild after Hurricane Beryl

In recent years, the notion of the “Blue Economy” has gained traction in Small Island Developing States (SIDS) policy debates. Focusing on the often-enormous marine spaces encompassed in SIDS’ exclusive economic zones (EEZs) – rather than their diminutive terrestrial landmasses – implies SIDS are really “large ocean states” rather than “small island states”. For proponents, the “Blue Economy” represents an entirely new way of thinking that offers a host of novel economic opportunities. For critics, it is little more than a buzzword that potentially “bluewashes” familiar forms of resource enclosure and extraction. In this episode of "Small Islands Big Picture", Emily and Matt try to chart a path between these two positions, asking “What is new – and blue – about the Blue Economy discourse? Why have some SIDS and international organisations embraced it so enthusiastically? Are there dangers in advocating for and pursuing it? And how it might be deployed to generate wealth through conservation, rather than exploitation of oceanic resources?”. In “Island Voices” we hear from Karuna Rana of the Big Ocean States Initiative in Mauritius who advocates using blue innovation to support community development. For our “Explainer”, Liam Saddington of Cambridge University demystifies the Blue Economy concept and discusses some of his research in the Seychelles. The “Big Picture” welcomes Nicole Leotaud from the Caribbean Natural Resources Institute (CANARI) in Trinidad and Tobago to hear how civil society visions of socially and ecologically sound “blueing” are being advanced. Finally, in “No Stupid Questions”, Matt and Emily ask, “Is the Blue Economy really that novel, or just old wine in new bottles?”.Featuring:Emily Wilkinson (host) | RESI Director and Principal Research Fellow at ODIMatthew Bishop (host) | RESI Director and Senior Lecturer at the University of SheffieldKaruna Rana | Director, Big Ocean States Initiative (BOSI)Liam Saddington | Teaching Associate, University of CambridgeNicole Leotaud | Director, Caribbean Natural Resources Institute (CANARI) Resources:Programme page | Resilient and Sustainable Islands Initiative (RESI)Karuna’s Future Forum Paper | Closing the blue funding gap: How can SIDS mobilise a blue innovation fund for community development?Liam’s Geoforum Paper | Geopolitical imaginaries in climate and ocean governance: Seychelles and the Blue EconomyCANARI’s SIDS4 Report | The Caribbean we want: Civil Society recommendations for transformative pathways to Caribbean sustainable development

Citizenship is traditionally granted by right – on the basis of birthplace or parentage – or acquired through naturalisation – on the basis of sustained residency and allegiance to the state. Yet, many small countries are increasingly “selling sovereignty” through Citizenship by Investment (CBI) or Residence by Investment (RBI) schemes. These “golden passports” and “golden visas” generate sizeable revenues for many small island developing states (SIDS), but they have also come under scrutiny from powerful states and international organisations, especially the European Union.In this episode of Small Islands Big Picture, Emily and Matt explore the proliferation of these schemes, asking, ‘If all states – including the very wealthiest – have them, why do smaller states seem to be under the greatest surveillance?’. They discuss the long-term sustainability of these schemes, where the money they generate is going, examples of good practice, and how the international community can support SIDS to ensure they continue to profit from CBI/RBI schemes while also strengthening their governance.In “Island Voices”, we hear from CEO of the Daphne Caruana Galizia Foundation, Tina Urso. In the “Explainer”, Matt and Emily discuss the different kinds of CBI/RBI schemes that exist around the world. Dr Dan Hammett and Dr Owen Parker join “The Big Picture” to discuss why the CBI and RBI industry is booming, and why Brussels is increasingly uneasy about it. Finally, in “No Stupid Questions”, Matt and Emily ask, “If CBI and RBI schemes are so problematic, why does the international community not simply ban them?”.Featuring:Emily Wilkinson (host) | RESI Director and Senior Research Fellow at ODIMatthew Bishop (host) | RESI Director and Senior Lecturer at the University of SheffieldTina Urso | CEO, The Daphne Caruana Galizia Foundation, MaltaDan Hammett | Senior Lecturer in Human Geography, University of SheffieldOwen Parker | Senior Lecturer in European Politics, University of SheffieldResources:Programme page | Resilient and Sustainable Islands Initiative (RESI)Investigative Journalism from Malta | The Daphne ProjectDan and Owen's SIDS Future Forum paper | Sovereignty sales, economic revitalisation and inclusive development in Small Island Developing States (SIDS)Dan Presenting on CBI Schemes | Session 1 (Resilient Economies) at SIDS Future Forum

Each decade since the mid-1990s, the United Nations has convened a high-level international summit – bringing together small-island governments, large-state donor partners, international organisations and representatives from civil society – to agree the next ten-year agenda for Small Island Developing States’ (SIDS) development diplomacy. The fourth of these conferences (SIDS4) will take place in Antigua-Barbuda in May 2024, under the theme ‘Charting the Course Toward Resilient Prosperity’.SIDS4 is the most important of these decennial conferences so far, taking place at a critical juncture in the global context and at an especially challenging time for small island states. Consequently, Emily and Matt devote the entirety of this episode to a roundtable discussion with three key protagonists in the SIDS4 process:Tumasie Blair, Antigua-Barbuda’s Deputy Permanent Representative to the UNAmbassador Fatumanava-o-Upolu III Dr Pa'olelei Luteru of Samoa, Chair of the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS) and Permanent Representative of Samoa (the 2014 host state)Dr Simona Marinescu, Senior Advisor on SIDS at the UN Office for Project Services (UNOPS)The episode explores what will happen at SIDS4, how the agenda has been developed, and in which policy areas SIDS will make the biggest demands of the international community. Looking ahead to the new 10-year agenda that will replace The SAMOA Pathway, Emily and Matt ask 'What can we expect from the Antigua-Barbuda Accord for SIDS (ABAS) 2024-34?' and, crucially, 'How will it deliver genuinely “resilient prosperity"?'.Featuring:Emily Wilkinson (host) | RESI Director and Senior Research Fellow at ODIMatthew Bishop (host) | RESI Director and Senior Lecturer at the University of SheffieldFatumanava-o-Upolu III Dr Pa'olelei Luteru | AOSIS Chair and Permanent Representative of Samoa to the UNTumasie Blair | Deputy Permanent Representative of Antigua-Barbuda to the UNSimona Marinescu | Senior Advisor on SIDS, UNOPSResources:Programme page | Resilient and Sustainable Islands Initiative (RESI)RESI policy brief | A Global Bargain for Resilient Prosperity in SIDSSIDS4 website | 4th International Conference on Small Island Developing StatesRESI summary on SIDS4 preparatory process | Preparatory meetings for the Fourth International Conference on Small Island Developing States: participation, priorities and outcomesSIDS Future Forum information | ODI webpageRegister to attend the SIDS Future Forum | Island Innovation’s website

This episode of "Small Islands, Big Picture" explores debt in SIDS – a critical challenge with no easy solutions. Emily and Matt explain why many island states have built up such large debt burdens in the first place, how this impacts SIDS in different ways, and why it is so difficult to reduce. They discuss what can be done to augment SIDS’ ‘fiscal space’, whose responsibility it is to help them achieve this, and how new financial mechanisms might help.In “Island Voices”, Rachid Bouhia talks about how better international support is critical for alleviating debt. In the “Explainer” section, Gail Hurley – who specialises in the finance challenges of SIDS – provides 10 reasons why debt is so pressing, but also why we should remain hopeful and continue pushing for global change. In “The Big Picture”, Enrico Gaveglia and Shakira Mustapha discuss the challenges of alleviating debt burdens on the ground. Finally, in “No Stupid Questions”, Matt and Emily answer ‘Why is the issue of debt in SIDS not as simple as just paying down the debt?’.Featuring:Emily Wilkinson (host) | RESI Director and Senior Research Fellow, ODIMatthew Bishop (host) | RESI Director and Senior Lecturer, University of SheffieldRachid Bouhia | RESI Director and Economic Affairs Officer, United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD)Gail Hurley | Independent Advisor and Senior Researcher on Debt and Development FinanceEnrico Gaveglia | Resident Representative, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) MaldivesShakira Mustapha | Research Lead at the Centre for Disaster ProtectionResources:Programme page | Resilient and Sustainable Islands Initiative (RESI)RESI policy brief | A global bargain for resilient prosperity in Small Island Developing StatesSIDS4 website | Fourth International Conference on Small Island Developing StatesEmily and Rachid’s blog | Small-Island Developing States need urgent support to avoid debt defaultsEmily and Kanni Wignaraja’s Project Syndicate article | Credit Ratings and Climate ChaosShakira’s paper | Innovations in sovereign debt: taking debt pause clauses to scale

This episode of "Small Islands Big Picture" Emily and Matt discuss the problem of sea-level rise, the challenges it poses to sustainable development – especially for low-lying island nations – and what might be done about it. Ian Fry explains why sea-level rise is such a multifaceted problem. In "Island Voices", Dr Michelle Scobie talks about the critical role of environmental governance. In “The Big Picture”, Dr Tammy Tabe and Professor Jon Barnett talk us through why conventional responses to sea-level rise – such as resettling people – often ignore the desires and adaptation plans of island communities. In "No Stupid Questions", Matt and Emily ask "How might the world better cope with climate-induced migration?".Featuring:Emily Wilkinson (host) | RESI Director and Senior Research Fellow at ODIMatthew Bishop (host) | RESI Director and Senior Lecturer at the University of SheffieldDr Michelle Scobie | RESI Co-Director, Senior Lecturer in International Law and Global Environmental Governance at the University of the West Indies, and Advisor at the Commonwealth SecretariatIan Fry | UN Special Rapporteur on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights in the Context of Climate ChangeDr Tammy Tabe | Oceania Research Fellow at the East-West CenterProfessor Jon Barnett | Professor and Australian Research Council Laureate Fellow at the School of Geography, Melbourne UniversityResources:Programme page | Resilient and Sustainable Islands Initiative (RESI)RESI policy brief | A global bargain for resilient prosperity in Small Island Developing StatesConversation blog | Why a chain of tiny Pacific islands wants an international court opinionIan’s papers on climate litigation | Legal options to protect human rights of displaced persons and Promotion and protection of human rights in the context of climate changeEmily’s documentary | Climate Blueprint: Dominica