Climate Change and Sustainable Development
As preparations advance for the 29th Session of the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP 29), CARICOM Heads of Government will examine key areas of work for the Community ahead of COP 29, when they meet in Grenada from 3-5 July 2024. COP 29 is scheduled for Baku, Azerbaijan, during the period 11-24 November 2024.
The Community has consistently advocated for concrete global actions to address climate change, as the window of opportunity narrows for Small Island and Low-Lying Coastal States (SIDS) to prepare for the harsher climate challenges if global temperatures reach 1.5 or 2 degrees above pre-industrial levels. During her plenary presentation at the 4th International SIDS Conference in Antigua and Barbuda, CARICOM Secretary-General, Dr. Carla Barnett recalled the record-breaking 2017 hurricane season marked by the paths of destruction Hurricanes Irma and Maria left in their wake, within two weeks.
Damage estimated at more than 200% of GDP occurred in Dominica and in Barbuda, and the housing stock was almost destroyed. Critical infrastructure, including water and electricity, health facilities, and schools, were decimated in the wake of these storms in the impacted Member States, the Secretary-General recalled.
The Caribbean region remains on high alert as the forecast for the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season predicts 11 hurricanes, with five major storms of Category 3 intensity or higher. Regionally, the Caribbean Climate Outlook Forum (CARICOF), has forecast near-record heat for the Caribbean Region from April to September 2024.
At the SIDS Conference, Dr. Barnett highlighted the persistent challenge vulnerable countries face accessing affordable finance, whether from the private capital market or multilateral financial institutions, to adapt to and mitigate the impact of climate change. In this context, the Secretary-General reiterated the Region’s support for the Bridgetown Initiative which proposes actions to close the growing funding gap for climate adaptation. This is through emergency liquidity to developing countries, reform of the international financial architecture to address the urgent need more fairly and effectively financing resilience-building and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The Community has consistently advocated for concrete global actions to address climate change, as the window of opportunity narrows for Small Island and Low-Lying Coastal States (SIDS) to prepare for the harsher climate challenges if global temperatures reach 1.5 or 2 degrees above pre-industrial levels. During her plenary presentation at the 4th International SIDS Conference in Antigua and Barbuda, CARICOM Secretary-General, Dr. Carla Barnett recalled the record-breaking 2017 hurricane season marked by the paths of destruction Hurricanes Irma and Maria left in their wake, within two weeks.
Damage estimated at more than 200% of GDP occurred in Dominica and in Barbuda, and the housing stock was almost destroyed. Critical infrastructure, including water and electricity, health facilities, and schools, were decimated in the wake of these storms in the impacted Member States, the Secretary-General recalled.
The Caribbean region remains on high alert as the forecast for the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season predicts 11 hurricanes, with five major storms of Category 3 intensity or higher. Regionally, the Caribbean Climate Outlook Forum (CARICOF), has forecast near-record heat for the Caribbean Region from April to September 2024.
At the SIDS Conference, Dr. Barnett highlighted the persistent challenge vulnerable countries face accessing affordable finance, whether from the private capital market or multilateral financial institutions, to adapt to and mitigate the impact of climate change. In this context, the Secretary-General reiterated the Region’s support for the Bridgetown Initiative which proposes actions to close the growing funding gap for climate adaptation. This is through emergency liquidity to developing countries, reform of the international financial architecture to address the urgent need more fairly and effectively financing resilience-building and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Climate Change and Health Orientation and Training for CARICOM Youth Ambassadors (CYAs), April 2024
Devastation in Dominica by Hurricane Maria, September 2017
