The Barbados National Standards Institution (BNSI) is “actively involved” in developing standards that support the use of renewable energy sources, such as solar energy and wind power.
This disclosure came today from Chairman of the BNSI, Ryan Brathwaite, as he delivered remarks at the official opening of the Pan American Standards Commission (COPANT) Annual General Assembly, at the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre.
Mr. Brathwaite expressed the view that these standards establish common criteria for performance and safety, enabling businesses and industries to innovate and compete in low-carbon economies.
“One area where we will begin to focus our efforts is promoting sustainable agriculture and fishery. Agriculture and fishery are major sources of greenhouse gas emissions, but they also have the potential to be part of the solution through practices that sequester carbon, reduce emissions, and enhance biodiversity.
“To support this goal, the BNSI will be developing a range of standards that promote sustainable agriculture and fishery. These standards cover areas such as sustainable land use, aquaculture, and responsible biodiversity management,” he explained.
The Chairman noted that the BNSI was actively involved in developing international standards, establishing conformity assessment procedures, collating case studies and presenting business models that support the circular economy, which is a key element of a sustainable future.
Mr. Brathwaite pointed out that the circular economy approach “has the potential to transform our current business models to one where achievement of a carbon-neutral economy in Barbados by 2030 becomes a grand reality”.
He stated that the BNSI had prioritised several areas where they could make a meaningful contribution to achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. He highlighted the promotion of energy efficiency in buildings as one of the areas in which they had focused their efforts.
Explaining that buildings were responsible for a significant contribution of greenhouse gas emissions, he indicated that improving their energy efficiency could assist in reducing these emissions, as well as energy costs for building occupants.
“To support this goal, the BNSI and our network of Caribbean Community standards bodies have developed a range of standards and testing labs, termed Centres of Excellence, along with an energy efficiency code that promotes energy efficiency in buildings,” Mr. Brathwaite shared.
He added that these standards cover areas such as building design, construction, and operation, as well as the use of renewable energy sources.