The Metabolism of Islands is an open access data portal on the physical basis of island economies.

Most islands heavily rely on imports of food, energy, and construction materials. Much of it ends up as waste on the island.

Every other Caribbean nation imports more than 80 percent of the food consumed.| On average, more than 90 percent of energy consumption in SIDS is met through oil imports, and in some cases, cost up to 20% of their GDP.| On an average, Antigua and Barbuda import 92% and Grenada 89% of their construction materials and each year

Most infrastructure on an island is concentrated in the coastal zone, putting all critical services at risk in the wake of an extreme weather event.

Hurricane Ivan in 2004 wiped out 90% of Grenada’s housing and 200% of its GDP | Climate change cost Small Island Developing States (SIDS) USD 100 billion each year | On average, almost 30% of SIDS population live in the zone less than 5 meters above sea level

Islands have the potential to transition towards a circular economy, a more efficient way of using resources and become leaders in climate action.

Samsø island in Denmark became energy positive in less than a decade. | Orkney Island in the UK generates its entire power supply from clean energy and is an important site for low-carbon energy research in the world | Barbados recently endorsed a green economy roadmap to lead way for the transition to a green economy | Dominica has pledged to be carbon negative, and Maldives carbon neutral by 2020