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The Caribbean region is identified as "ground zero for the global climate emergency," with small island developing states (SIDS) facing disproportionate impacts despite contributing less than 1% to global greenhouse gas emissions. Rising sea levels, stronger hurricanes, coastal erosion, and ecosystem changes affect the livelihoods, health, and cultural heritage of many people. These threats endanger coastal resilience, food and water security, and public health, posing significant obstacles to the countries’ national development goals. The Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IPLCs) are at the forefront of these realities, managing natural resources, safeguarding biodiversity, and applying generations of environmental knowledge to sustain their territories and way of life. Yet these communities often face disproportionate climate risks, limited access to decision-making, and historical marginalization in policy and development processes.