The CARICOM Code of Practice is being utilised in Barbados in the construction of climate-resilient houses.
This was disclosed by Minister of Housing, Lands and Maintenance, Dwight Sutherland, who was speaking at the Third Barbados Annual Construction and Design Conference 2024, held at the Radisson Aquatica Resort, on Tuesday.
He said the CARICOM Code of Practice (COP), CRCP 10:2023, for construction of houses, which was developed by the Caribbean Regional Organisation for Standards and Quality, was endorsed by the Cabinet of Barbados in November 2023, for adoption at the national level, for the construction of climate-resilient homes.
“Climate change…having increased the frequency and severity of natural disasters, the adoption of the code is considered to be beneficial from the point of view that by embracing the code and the standards, Barbados can proactively mitigate the impact of these disasters, in addition to reducing the long-term economic and social costs associated with recovery and reconstruction,” Mr. Sutherland said.
The Housing Minister stated that the CRCP 10:2023 Code of Practice places a strong emphasis on climate resilience, addressing critical factors such as sea-level rise, extreme heat, and heavy rainfall, and by adopting this code, it will assist this country with constructing homes capable of withstanding the adverse impacts of climate change.
He also maintained that if homes are expected to be constructed in Barbados that are resilient and meet the required standards, a core of well-trained artisans and contractors would have to be available.
To achieve this, he said government launched the Barbados Construction Gateway Training Initiative(BCGTI), in April 2022, which aims to upskill the population and provide a core of trained artisans, both male and female, to ensure a supply of skilled workers to fill various construction jobs.
According to him, 1,552 individuals have received training through the BCGTI, across four intakes and the programme is expected to generate 5,050 construction jobs of various types and approximately 3,600 full-time jobs. (PR/GIS)
