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The report finds that while Trinidad and Tobago's GDP grew between 1995 and 2020, its real comprehensive wealth per capita has declined by 36% since the 2008 global recession. This divergence is attributed to an over-reliance on fossil fuel assets, which have seen a nearly 98% loss in value over the study period. The analysis highlights a 'Dutch Disease' effect, where investment in the petroleum sector has crowded out agriculture, forestry, and fisheries. Human capital, the largest component of wealth, also declined by 29% from its 2008 peak. The report recommends that the government integrate comprehensive wealth measures into official policy-making to diversify the economy and ensure long-term sustainability.

The report finds significant institutional gaps in Trinidad and Tobago's readiness for climate adaptation across food production, coastal zone management, and tourism. While basic climate data is available via the Trinidad and Tobago Meteorological Service, there is a critical lack of sector-specific vulnerability assessments, formal prioritisation processes, and national platforms for information exchange. Coordination is strongest in coastal zone management through a Cabinet-appointed Steering Committee, but overall mainstreaming of adaptation into national planning remains limited, with current efforts led by the Environmental Management Authority to integrate climate priorities into development sectors.

This report by the World Resources Institute establishes a tiered methodology to estimate the economic value of coral reefs in the Caribbean, focusing on three key services: tourism and recreation, fisheries, and shoreline protection. Applying this tool to Tobago and St. Lucia, the study finds that coral reef-associated tourism provides the highest economic impact, contributing approximately 15% of GDP in Tobago and 11% in St. Lucia. Shoreline protection is also highly valued, with annual potentially avoided damages estimated between US$18–33 million for Tobago and US$28–50 million for St. Lucia. While reef-associated fisheries have a smaller direct financial impact, they provide critical social safety nets and cultural value. The report argues that quantifying these benefits is essential for informed coastal management and policy decisions, particularly in the face of threats from overfishing, pollution, and climate change.