Environment

New Model & Innovative Solutions Needed

New paradigms and innovative solutions are required to chart a resilient and sustainable energy future for small island developing states (SIDS).

Minister of Energy and Business, Senator Lisa Cummins, expressed this view today, as she addressed the SIDS Ministerial, being held in the margins of the 14th Session of the IRENA Assembly, in Abu Dhabi. Barbados was appointed as Chair of the SIDS Ministerial.

Senator Cummins stated that SIDS’ commitment to accelerating energy transitions had been heavily focused on the electricity sector. “But resilience and sustainable development demand that we agitate for the decarbonisation of the transportation and other end-use sectors….

“We cannot rely on the same systems and methodologies if we are to chart a resilient and sustainable energy future for SIDS. New paradigms and innovative solutions are required, or we will reach so far and no further,” she indicated.

Pointing to the Bridgetown Initiative, which addresses financing for climate resilience, the Minister explained that among other things, is designed to reform the way rich countries finance poor countries in a climate crisis by preventing spiralling debt crises from successive natural disasters such as droughts, floods and hurricanes.

“Targeted solutions comprising modern flexible policy, regulatory and legislative systems, which are responsive to technological advancements as well as bespoke financial models, are a necessity. Technical assistance, knowledge transfer, and capacity-building of our human resources need to be the nucleus of the transformation. The continuous development of these systems is vital to facilitate SIDS’ access to appropriate financing for the implementation of renewable energy projects,” Senator Cummins said.

She pointed out that this would assist SIDS in better managing their high debt profiles and channel investments to modernising archaic infrastructure, to facilitate the on boarding of renewable energy and innovative solutions, such as storage onto electricity grids, without compromising stability and reliability.

The Minister said the SIDS Lighthouses Initiative provides a partnership framework that facilitates support to accelerate decarbonisation in small island developing states and the strengthening of climate resilience.

She highlighted the success of the SIDS Lighthouses Initiative but stressed it was not the time for nostalgia or to rest on our laurels. She proffered the view that it is time to reaffirm their commitment and reassess strategies because “much remains to be done”.

Senator Cummins continued: “As SIDS, it is imperative that we lead globally and use our collective voices to champion the energy transition and climate action.” (PR/GIS)

CAPTION: Barbados’ Minister of Energy and Business, Senator Lisa Cummins, in discussion with Director General of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), Francesco La Camera, at the SIDS Ministerial, which was held on the margins 14th Session of the IRENA Assembly, in Abu Dhabi

Environment

Barbados Champions Youth-Led Climate Solutions At COP29 Event

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office, Senator Dr Shantal Munro-Knight, has underscored the importance of entrusting young people with the responsibility of addressing climate challenges, particularly in small island developing states.

Senator Munro-Knight was speaking during Climate Mobility Youth Day at COP29 in Azerbaijan.

Reflecting on the Government’s youth-focused initiative, the Minister remarked: “We have to trust…our young people. As we challenge them to walk with us, we put our money where our mouth is. Regardless of qualifications, we want to know that they can bring skills, heart, and commitment,” she stated.

She also spoke about this country’s Future Barbados initiative, which was launched in 2018 to empower young Barbadians to solve pressing issues facing the island state.

The initiative calls on Barbadians under 40 years, whether residing locally or abroad, to contribute innovative solutions to challenges such as blue economy sustainability, effective governance, and public health amid the climate crisis.

During the High-Level Session, youth delegates from around the world presented innovative policy ideas, directly engaging with global leaders. The session was a key step towards forming a coalition between the co-hosting governments and young people, aimed at driving forward inclusive and sustainable climate adaptation strategies.

Dr. Munro-Knight also highlighted Barbados’ ongoing commitment to youth development, speaking to scholarship programmes and new opportunities for young leaders to gain expertise and exercise agency in addressing global climate issues.

She expressed confidence that these investments would foster a generation of informed leaders dedicated to bringing their skills back home to support national development.

The success of Climate Mobility Youth Day underscored the critical role of youth engagement in tackling the dual challenges of climate change and human mobility. Barbados’ active participation demonstrated its commitment to empowering the next generation of climate leaders. (PR/GIS)

Environment

Ministers Discuss Environmental Challenges

Collaborative approaches to address environmental challenges were recently discussed by Barbados’ Minister of the Environment and National Beautification, Green and Blue Economy, Adrian Forde, and other regional Ministers of Environment.

The Ministers participated in the United Nations Special Session of the Forum of Ministers of Environment and the One Planet Network Forum, which were both held in Brazil.

Mr. Forde highlighted the regional SOILCARE project, as an effective example of the ways under which synergies in the region could be achieved, and he served as moderator for one of the ‘Deep Dive’ sessions, which examined priorities to address land degradation in the region.

The Minister also addressed the need for ecosystem restoration and protection, noting that “threats to ecosystems are exacerbated by the vagaries of climate change and land degradation”.

In addition, he emphasised “the importance of protecting genetic resources, their associated intellectual property, and the inclusion of vulnerable people in the fight against environmental degeneration”.

Sustaining the circular economy, as a model of consumption and production, was the focal point of discussion at the One Planet Network Forum.(PR/GIS)

Environment

Commendable Prizes For First Home Garden Competition Winners

Three winners emerged victorious in the first ever Home Garden Competition held by the Ministry of the Environment and National Beautification, Green and Blue Economy.

The garden enthusiasts recently walked away with hefty prizes for their hard work, following the prize-giving ceremony at the National Botanical Gardens, Waterford, St. Michael.

WINNERS

They were first place winner Greta Collymore from St. Philip, who received the grand prize of $6,500; second place winner, Margaret Headley from St. Peter, who won $4,500, while third place winner, Colleen Hall-Crawford from St. John, took home $3,500.

The trio received trophies along with their monetary wins.

The brainchild of the Ministry, the competition was acclaimed by Minister Adrian Forde as underscoring the significance of green initiatives, in enhancing Barbados’ beauty and elevating environmental health.

“The Ministry is pushing for all these beautification efforts. We have also started to clean up our gullies. You’ve heard about the tree planting drive where we have planted over 500,000 trees since the Prime Minister made the announcement. All these things we are doing collectively as a government and as a caring society,” said Minister Forde.

CREATIVITY ABOUNDED

Meanwhile, National Tree Planting Coordinator, Dewyn Phillips, spoke of the imaginative creations seen in the gardens of the participants. “Some had terracing designs. Some had semi circles. Some had triangular designs. Some had the map of Barbados in the hedge. Some had a display of what looked like a dinosaur, with the hedging of their designs.

They were imaginative and they were creative. You’ll be pleased to know that these gardens had no diseases at all. That showed as an example of the care that they received from the competitors,” stressed Mr. Phillips.

Judging criteria for the Home Garden Competition included Visibility and Appeal; Design and Arrangement; Free of Weeds and Decay; Healthy Growth of Plants/Disease Free and Variety of Flowering Plants. (PR/GIS)

CAPTION: Minister of the Environment and National Beautification, Green and Blue Economy, Adrian Forde, presenting an award to first place winner of the first ever Home Garden Competition, Greta Collymore of St.Philip