ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIOECONOMIC VULNERA

Small states face a number of challenges, mainly because of their geographical positioning and inherent characteristics, such as small populations, limited resources endowment and market constraints that make them more vulnerable to exogenous economic shocks. Climate change is adding a further layer of difficulty, making it more challenging to build long-lasting resilience. Building resilience in small states is crucial to enhance their capacity to address external shocks, however, this can vary depending on the specific context, geographical location and the socioeconomic conditions of each country. Tailored approaches and solutions are necessary to address the unique challenges faced by individual small states.

This volume, which adopts a humanitarian and development approach to address risks, vulnerability and resilience of populations in small states exposed to shocks, contributes to the growing academic literature on economic, environmental, social and climate vulnerability and resilience. In conjunction with efforts to address root causes of vulnerabilities, promote social justice and foster sustainable development, the book explores whether there is a more holistic approach that combines resilience with a focus on equity, social change and transformative actions, which can enhance the effectiveness of resilience efforts.

Written by experts in the field of small states and small island developing states, this book is an invaluable tool for those researching the impact of contemporary environmental and socioeconomic issues on small states worldwide.

Verena Tandrayen-Ragoobur is Associate Professor in Economics, University of Mauritius. She is currently heading the Pole of Research Excellence in Applied Social and Economic Research Analysis and is the Co- Chair of the WTO Chairs Programme at the University of Mauritius. She has more than forty publications in international peer reviewed journals and books, and she is involved in a number of consultancy and research projects with ministries, public institutions, and international organizations.

Sheereen Fauzel is an Associate Professor at the University of Mauritius. She was awarded a scholarship by the Mauritius Research Council to pursue her doctoral degree. Having completed a PhD in Development Economics from the University of Mauritius, her areas of expertise are International and Development Economics, Tourism Economics and related areas. She has participated in international conferences and has publications in notable international journals of Business, Economics and Tourism. She has actively contributed as a consultant to international institutions and governmental ministries.

Stefano Moncada is an associate professor and resident academic at the University of Malta, where he is the Director of the Islands and Small States Institute. He lectures and conducts research in the areas of islands and small states studies, development studies and climate change. Stefano has published his research in more than 50 peer reviewed international journals and books, and acts as expert reviewer for some key international scientific journals. Stefano has delivered over 50 conference presentations, keynote speeches and public talks. He forms part of the editorial board of Small States and Territories, the Mediterranean Experts on Climate and Environmental Change (MedECC), a fellow of the Resilient and Sustainable Islands Initiative (RESI) of the Overseas Development Institute, and acts as expert reviewer for the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). Stefano won several research grants/scholarships including EU The Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions, EU Horizon grants, the Malta’s Research Excellence Grant, the Postdoctoral Fellowship, and the AIS Forum research grant.