As small island states continue to grapple with the escalating effects of climate change, Minister of Environment and National Beautification, Green and Blue Economy Adrian Forde has made a compelling plea for the Loss and Damage Fund to be fully operational and adequately financed.

Addressing international delegates at the fifth board meeting of the Fund for Responding to Loss and Damage (FRLD), held Tuesday at the Hilton Barbados Resort, Forde underscored the urgent need for meaningful action to support the world’s most vulnerable nations. He reminded attendees that the initiative, inspired by Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley, is a lifeline for countries like Barbados, which are on the frontlines of the climate crisis.

“The fund is not a luxury—it is a necessity,” Forde declared. “We are here not to talk about abstract futures or theoretical models, but to confront the reality that climate change is an emergency for Small Island Developing States (SIDS).”

The Loss and Damage Fund was created to address the irreversible consequences of climate change in vulnerable regions, particularly SIDS, which contribute the least to global emissions yet suffer disproportionately from their effects.

Forde pointed to the recent passage of Hurricane Beryl as a stark reminder of the stakes involved. Though the storm only grazed the island, it left a trail of destruction in its wake, crippling the local fishing industry.

“Over 90 per cent of our fishing boats were destroyed, more than $200 million in damages, and countless lives upended,” he said. “This is why the fund is not a luxury—it’s a necessity.”

Highlighting the growing frequency and severity of extreme weather events, the minister said that adaptation alone is no longer a sufficient response. “Loss and damage is not something we can adapt our way out of,” he stressed. “This fund must be a core instrument for our long-term survival.”

He also emphasized the importance of the fund being guided by a straightforward, inclusive framework that allows equitable access to financing for affected communities.

by Deanzer Roberts

Barbados and China are turning the page to a new chapter of economic partnership and multilateral engagement. Speaking at the Zero-Carbon Island Cooperation Meeting yesterday morning, Chargé d’Affaires a.i. of the People’s Republic of China, Huang Xinhua, underscored China’s commitment to deepening its ties with Barbados through trade, investment, and green cooperation—while offering a sharp critique of global protectionist policies.

“China offers a vast stage for business development, vast market prospects, stable policy outlook, and a secure environment,” Huang told a packed audience at the Accra Beach Hotel. Representatives from the UN, Barbados Light and Power, the University of the West Indies, the Coast Guard, and the visiting delegation from Yantai City were all in attendance.

Huang emphasized that China is actively encouraging its enterprises to explore opportunities in Barbados, particularly in sectors aligned with green energy and the blue economy. The growing bilateral engagement is anchored in shared development goals and a longstanding friendship between the two nations.

“This island is a good friend and partner of China in the Caribbean region,” Huang said, recalling Prime Minister Mia Mottley’s June 2023 visit to China, where both governments pledged stronger cooperation on global development and sustainability. He added, “China will continue to empower development through green energy and promote cooperation through the blue economy.”

The presence of a business delegation from Yantai City highlighted China’s interest in turning diplomatic commitments into tangible projects. According to Huang, their visit aims to implement the consensus reached by Chinese and Barbadian leaders and lay the groundwork for future cooperation, especially in low-carbon and sustainable development sectors.

As diplomatic and commercial bridges continue to be built between the two nations, Huang expressed confidence that with mutual support, “more fruits will be yielded in our bilateral cooperation, and greater benefits will be delivered to our two peoples.”

by Deanzer Roberts

Barbados and China are forging stronger bonds in the fight against climate change, as evidenced by Chargé d’Affaires a.i. Huang Xinhua’s address at yesterday’s Zero Carbon Island Cooperation Conference. Speaking on behalf of the Chinese Embassy, Huang underscored that while geographically distant, the two nations are aligned in vision—especially regarding climate resilience, renewable energy, and green transformation.

Referencing the June 2023 official visit by Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley to China, Huang noted that both governments are committed to sustainable development and climate action. “Barbados is a good friend and partner of China in the Caribbean region,” he said. “Although separated by oceans, the two countries share similar goals and walk hand in hand.”

This partnership is not symbolic—it is built on concrete policy goals. Barbados aims to achieve carbon neutrality by 2035. China, on its end, is pushing to peak emissions by 2030 and reach carbon neutrality by 2060. Both countries are signatories to the Paris Agreement, and both are making strides toward reshaping their energy landscapes.

The conference also spotlighted a significant economic dimension. According to Huang, China is actively encouraging its enterprises to invest in Barbados, particularly in green energy, sustainable infrastructure, and the blue economy. The event welcomed a delegation from Yantai City, whose mission is to explore investment opportunities and support the climate ambitions articulated by the leaders of both nations.

“China offers a vast stage for business development, vast market prospects, stable policy outlook, and a secure environment,” Huang noted, suggesting that bilateral cooperation could spark a wave of mutually beneficial investment.

In a geopolitical aside, Huang criticized recent U.S. policies of imposing “reciprocal tariffs,” stating that such protectionism undermines multilateral trade systems. “Trade wars and tariff wars have no winners,” he warned, positioning China as a proponent of “universally beneficial and inclusive globalization.”

This underscores China’s diplomatic posture amid growing tensions in global trade. Barbados, as a small island developing state, could benefit from a stable, rules-based international economy—something both countries assert they are fighting to protect.