Regional leaders are being called upon to add their voices to that of Barbados’ Prime Minister, Mia Amor Mottley, to advocate for their needs resulting from the effects of climate change.
Minister of the Environment and National Beautification, Adrian Forde noted that while Prime Minister Mottley had a “big voice” on climate-related issues, there was a need for two or three other “big voices” in the region to advocate for the cause.
He expressed this view during a courtesy call with Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, Limya Eltayeb, at his office recently. He was joined by Permanent Secretaries, Charley Browne and Sonia Foster, responsible for the green and blue economy respectively, and other Ministry officials.
The Minister’s comments came against the background of the establishment of the Loss and Damage fund for climate-vulnerable countries following an agreement made at the COP27 United Nations Summit in Egypt.
However, he cautioned that there needed to be further clarification as to what was covered under the Loss and Damage fund. “Desertification is damage to the forestry over the years. But, because it is not frontal, persons don’t see it as damage as they would see damage from a hurricane,” he pointed out.
Mr. Forde added that he was still yet to see anything on carbon markets, and further lamented that there were discoveries of countries producing ozone depleting substances which were banned 11 years ago. “The time for long talk is over and [it is time] for more action,” the Minister outlined.
In response, Ms. Eltayeb, suggested that the door for accelerating climate action and generating employment was through green growth.
Noting that was an area where the Prime Minister could help with her voice and reach, the UNDP Resident Representative said the conversation could start on a small scale but expand globally.
During the meeting Ms. Eltayeb also disclosed that work continued on the sourcing of equipment to aid in the battle against the Sargassum seaweed under the Improving National Sargassum Management Capacities in the Caribbean project, which was funded by Japan.
While pointing out that Barbados was one of the five countries targeted, she said efforts were ongoing to source similar equipment for each to facilitate bulk buying.
During the discussions, the UNDP Representative also highlighted the fact that there were funding streams from which Barbados could benefit, and encouraged Ministry officials to take advantage of the opportunity.
In response, Ministry officials agreed to explore avenues to capitalise on the opportunity and to work together more closely going forward.