Members of the public will have an opportunity to hear about, and share their views on a new plan to make Barbados’ coastline more resilient to the impacts of climate change during a public enquiry slated for June.
The enquiry on the new Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) plan will take the form of a series of eight national virtual public meetings slated to begin on Tuesday, June 8, and which will run until July 1.
These enquires will commence with a national launch on Monday, June 7, ahead of World Oceans Day, which will be marked on June 8, under the theme: The Ocean: Life and Livelihoods. The theme bears direct relevance to the updated ICZM.
The eight virtual meetings will focus on the “nuts and bolts” of the plan, its benefits and impacts, as well as the unique characteristics, risks, and goals of the eight different sub areas of the Coastal Zone Management Area. The meetings will also have a question-and-answer segment.
The eight virtual meetings will each focus on a different area identified under the plan and the links are as follows:
- June 8 : Sub-Area 1 – South Point to Kitridge Point
- June 10 : Sub-Area 2 – Kitridge Point to Conset Point
- June 14 : Sub-Area 3 – Conset Point to the Choyce
- June 17 : Sub-Area 4 – The Choyce to North Point
- June 21 : Sub-Area 5 – North Point to Maycock’s Bay
- June 24 : Sub-Area 6 – Maycock´s Bay to Batt’s Rock
- June 28 : Sub-Area 7 – Batt´s Rock to Needham’s Point
- July 1 : Sub-Area 8 – Needham´s Point to South Point
However, the public can also voice their opinions on the new ICZM plan by visiting the CZMU’s website at www.coastal.govbb/ICMPlan to download and share feedback.
They may also send comments to the CZMU via its WhatsApp number 256-3173, or email their comments to ICZMPlan@coastal.gov.bb.
The new ICZM plan aims to introduce improved coastal risk understanding and methods into the delivery and design of improved coastal adaptation planning, with the overarching goal to make the coastline of Barbados more resilient to climate change.
To do so, it uses the latest knowledge and science on climate change and coastal risks to produce guidelines, legislation, regulations, standards and advisories.
The new approach to ICZM is being spearheaded by the Government of Barbados through the Coastal Zone Management Unit.