RT null T1 Caribbean Islands: GIWA Regional Assessment 4 A1 United Nations Environment Programme, A2 Villasol, Antonio A2 Beltrán, Jesús K1 natural resource K1 resource conservation K1 resource management K1 water K1 water analysis K1 water conservation K1 water consumption K1 water demand K1 water management K1 water monitoring K1 water protection K1 water quality K1 water resource K1 water utilisation K1 environmental assessment K1 freshwater conservation K1 freshwater degradation K1 freshwater ecosystem K1 freshwater monitoring K1 freshwater pollution K1 freshwater resource K1 pollution control K1 pollution cost K1 water pollution K1 environmental conservation K1 environmental impact K1 environmental impact assessment K1 environmental protection K1 coast protection K1 coastal area K1 coastal ecosystem K1 coastal environment K1 coastal pollution K1 coastal water K1 marine conservation area K1 marine ecosystem K1 sea resource K1 sea water protection K1 coastal fishing K1 coastal management K1 river basin development K1 river management K1 water resources conservation K1 water resources development K1 transboundary pollution K1 environmental pollution K1 island ecosystem K1 island SN 1651-940X YR 2004 FD 2004 LK https://wedocs.unep.org/handle/20.500.11822/8802 UL https://wedocs.unep.org/handle/20.500.11822/8802 NO This report presents the GIWA assessment of the Caribbean Islands region-an archipelago comprising drainage basins and coastal areas that contain some of the world's most diverse and productive habitats. A variety of human activities are impacting the region's sensitive and unique ecosystems, upon which the population is so dependent for their social well-being and economic survival. Pollution, originating from both land-based sources and marine traffic, is of particular concern, but despite considerable and widespread environmental and socio-economic impacts, there has been a lack of appropriate measures aimed at mitigating this concern. The past and present status and future prospects are discussed, and the trans-boundary issues of pollution are traced back to their root causes. Policy options are analyzed that aim to address these driving issues in order to significantly improve environmental quality and secure the region's future prosperity. DS UN Environment Document Repository RD Sep 18, 2026