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Governments, Business and Civil Society Collaborations on Caribbean SIDS Green Economic Issues - Regional Experiences in Implementing GE Strategies and Programmes. Presented to the Caribbean Green Economy Forum Almond Beach Resort Barbados
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Governments, Business and Civil Society Collaborations on Caribbean SIDS Green Economic Issues - Regional Experiences in Implementing GE Strategies and Programmes Presented to the Caribbean Green Economy Forum Almond Beach Resort Barbados 28-29 March 2012 Presented by Leonard Ahijah Francis JAMAICA
Outline of the Presentation • Introduction to Jamaica • Challenges Facing the Jamaican Economy • What the Green Economy Must Do • Defining the concept- “Green Economy” • Some Jamaican Green Economy Proposals and Initiatives. Experiences in Implementing the GEStrategies and Programmes • Looking Ahead…
Introduction to Jamaica • Jamaica can be described as an archipelago, as it consists of several small islands and a large expanse of ocean. • The island’s exclusive economic zone is approximately 25 times the size of the landmass • The main island itself is 10,991 square kilometres and a population of app 3 million
Introduction to Jamaica • 52% percentage of persons live urban areas (2001 est.) • Approximately 60% of the islands population and the majority of the businesses are in the coastal area. • 90% of the country’s Gross Domestic Product are in the coastal area.
Some Jamaican Experiences in Formulating and Implementing Green Economy Strategies and Programs
General Policies Plans and Regulations • Vision 2030- Jamaica National Development Plan” • Jamaica National Environmental Action Plan • Local Sustainable Development Planning Framework • New National Building Code/Building Act • State of the Environment Reports. • National Spatial plans development plans etc • Several other laws and regulations(new or modified)
General Policies Plans and Regulations • Takes time to draft, often times due to financial, procedural and other issues. • Takes time to promulgate and implement • Often times does not pass draft stage • Monitoring and enforcement is normally an issue
Agriculture • Sugar cane factories divested to Chinese and private interest • Work with the factories to solve the dunder and cane burning issues • Encourage research and diversification of agriculture • Enforcement of regulations • New agricultural policy
Agriculture • Threats from invasive species, other sources e.g. Deer • Use of biological control- natural predators • Numerous small farms over 150,633 farms on less than 2.2 hectares(1987) • Hydroponics/ green house farming/ increase access to credit • Land titling programmes- LAMP and LAND
Fishing • Creation of lobster condos and artificial reefs. • Fish Sanctuaries, seasonal/quota fishing only, ban on exploitation of certain species • Enforcement heavy fines and imprisonment. • Fresh water fish farming etc • Threat of invasive species e.g. lionfish ( partnership with private sector –eat it to beat it campaign)
Construction • Introduction of “Greening Concept” in approvals • Pursuing the granting of incentives for “green buildings” • Encouraging the construction of low cost homes through low interest rates and other incentives • Encourage growth in urban centres along with densification
Construction • Rainwater harvesting for entire developments • Solar powered developments • Waste water recycling/ reuse in landscaping, flushing etc.
Energy • Diversification of energy production through wind farms, hydro generation, solar, waste to energy, LNG etc. • Change in legislation to allow for sale to the grid and thrust to increase competition in the distribution process • Modernising existing power plants • Numerous private sector suppliers
Tourism • Diversifying the product • Construction of relatively large hotels in environmentally sensitive area. • Conflicts with fishermen, citizens NGOs • Loss of Beach due to weather and natural processes. • Impact on reefs and water quality
Manufacturing • Encourage more efficient technology • Air quality monitoring and enforcement • Strict approval process ( need planning environmental licence approvals) • Encourage recycling
Training • EIA, NRV • MOUs with universities • Environment other programmes developed in schools and communities. • NGOs CBOs are integral to the process.