The Caribbean Green Economy Conference 2013

"Green Economy as a Vehicle for

Sustainable Development and Poverty Eradication in the

Caribbean"

June 4 - 6, 2013

Saint Lucia

Conference Report

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Report on the Caribbean Green Economy Conference 2013 hosted by the Government of Saint Lucia (June 4 - 6, 2013) Planning Committee:

MINISTRY OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT, ENERGY, SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

Mr. Sylvester Clauzel, Permanent Secretary

Ms. Caroline Eugene, Sustainable Development and Environment Officer Mr. Crispin d’Auvergne, Chief Sustainable Development and Environment Officer

UNITED NATIONS ENVIRONMENT PROGRAMME

Mr. Asad Naqvi, Acting Head, Green Economy Advisory Services Unit, UNEP

Ambassador Edwin Laurent Senior Advisor, Caribbean Green Economy Initiative

Mr. Simon Lobach, Consultant to the UNEP

SAINT LUCIA NATIONAL TRUST

Mr. Bishnu Tulsie, Executive Director Rapporteur Team:

Lavina Alexander Bethia Daniel-Thomas Jermaine Descartes Kasha Jn Baptiste Shirlene Simmons

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UNEP disclaimer page

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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The Government of Saint Lucia and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) are

thankful for the financial support offered by the European Union for the Caribbean Green

Economy Initiative, under which this conference was organised.

The contributions of the Ministry of Sustainable Development, Energy, Science and

Technology of the Government of Saint Lucia, and the Saint Lucia National Trust (SLNT) in

the planning and execution of the Conference are also acknowledged and appreciated.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Acknowledgments ................................................................................................................................................................... 3

Table of Contents ..................................................................................................................................................................... 4

Acronyms .................................................................................................................................................................................... 5

Executive Summary ................................................................................................................................................................ 7

Background .............................................................................................................................................................................. 14

Situational Analysis .............................................................................................................................................................. 19

Caribbean Challenges, Caribbean Realities ................................................................................................................. 24

Options and Opportunities ................................................................................................................................................ 28

Recommendations................................................................................................................................................................. 35

Looking Forward ................................................................................................................................................................... 38

Conclusion ................................................................................................................................................................................ 41

ANNEX 1: Conference Agenda .......................................................................................................................................... 42

ANNEX 2: Participant List ..................................................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.

ANNEX 3: Chairman's Summary...................................................................................................................................... 65

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ACRONYMS

BPOA Barbados Programme of Action

CaFAN Caribbean Farmers Network

CAP Community Agricultural Policy

CARICOM Caribbean Community

CCRIF Caribbean Catastrophe Risk Insurance Facility

CGEI Caribbean Green Economy Initiative

CIF Caribbean Investment Fund

CSME Caribbean Single Market and Economy

CZMAC Coastal Zone Management Advisory Committee (CZMAC)

COTED Council for Trade and Economic Development

FDI Foreign Direct Investment

GAP Good Agricultural Practices

GDP Gross Domestic Product

GEF Global Environment Facility

GIZ Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit

(German Society for International Cooperation)

IDP Integrated Development Planning

ILO International Labour Organisation

IMF International Monetary Fund

NCCC National Climate Change Committee

NCSTD National Council for Science and Technology for Development

NEC National Environmental Commission

NGO Non-Governmental Organisation

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M&E Monitoring and Evaluation

OAS Organisation of American States

OECS Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States

PV photovoltaic

RET renewable energy technology

SEEA System of Environmental-Economic Accounting (SEEA)

SGP Small Grants Programme

SIDS Small Island Developing States

SLNT Saint Lucia National Trust

SWOT Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats

UN United Nations

UNEP United Nations Environment Programme

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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The Caribbean Green Economy Conference 2013: Green Economy as a Vehicle for

Sustainable Development and Poverty Eradication in the Caribbean was held in Saint Lucia

from June 4 - 6, 2013. It was the first regional event under the Caribbean Green Economy

Initiative (CGEI) and was hosted jointly by the Ministry of Sustainable Development,

Energy, Science & Technology of Saint Lucia and the United Nations Environment

Programme (UNEP), with the support of the Saint Lucia National Trust. It brought together

Ministers, national and regional policymakers, civil society, academia and the private

sector, providing an opportunity for cross fertilization of ideas, experiences and

institutional innovations and taking stock of the impressive individual and collective efforts

in the region to advance the sustainable development agenda through the application of

green economy principles, policies and practices.

Challenges

The conference recognized the unique socio-demographic and geo-environmental realities

of the Caribbean. Notwithstanding however its potential for growth and expansion, the

region continues to be under increasing economic and environmental pressure and has

experienced a decline in key economic sectors, particularly in tourism and agriculture, a

rise in unemployment and is facing escalating economic costs due to environmental

degradation, unsustainable resource use, high energy prices and the frequency of natural

disasters.

The conference explored the options and opportunities that the green economy approach

presents to addressing the challenges faced by the region and laid the foundations for

developing a framework for charting the way forward by setting the strategic direction and

identifying building blocks for a Caribbean Green Economy agenda. It recognized though

that a Green Economy agenda for the region must be tailored to take account of the region’s

unique realities, including its ecological circumstances and pressing social, economic and

environmental challenges.

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National Experiences

The conference was briefed on the considerable progress that has been made in the region

in pursuing the Green Economy.

• Barbados: Participants were most interested in the Green Economy Scoping Study

undertaken by Barbados and its successful establishment of a Green Economy Technical

Steering Committee (GETSC), comprising representatives of government, labour, business

and civil society.

• Belize: The long term development framework - Horizon 2030 - to guide the

formulation and implementation of government policies and programmes devised by the

Government of Belize with a clear strategic focus on social and economic development was

presented and discussed.

• Jamaica: Its long-term, bipartisan development approach - Vision 2030 is founded

on the three pillars of sustainable development and uses education, health and technology

to empower Jamaicans, alongside promotion of a healthy natural environment and secure

society.

• Saint Lucia: The representative outlined the country’s experience in Integrated

Development Planning that is consistent with a number of Green Economy principles and

its national Green Economy plans, including investing in key economic sectors and

safeguarding natural resources to improve livelihoods. He stressed that a clear framework,

the merging of parallel ministerial programmes and an inclusive governance process, were

essential for success

Economic Growth and the Green Economy

Deliberations focused on how a green economy approach can lead to the generation of

more and better jobs, a higher level of prosperity for all, realise trade opportunities and lay

the foundation for long-term sustainability of economic development. However, whilst

emphasising the importance of the region’s transitioning to a green economy, which is a

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vital pathway towards achieving the ultimate goal of sustainable development, the

conference appreciated that there is no transferable model to follow.

Participants discussed the key drivers for economic growth in many Caribbean countries

including Tourism and agriculture where greater linkages with other economic sectors and

gains in efficiency from a green economy transformation were possible. A strong case was

made for considering the contributions of biodiversity to green economy transition. It also

highlighted the need to better manage and protect the vast and valuable marine and coastal

ecosystems and resources. However research on mapping, bathymetric surveys and

resource assessments needs to be undertaken to inform the formulation of the more

integrated policies and strategies for Oceans’ Governance that have to be developed if the

contribution of marine resources to the development effort is to be realised.

The conference called for a regional green economy agenda to be developed and for an

assessment of how precisely the concept can be adapted for the region and how each

country can use it to create a national pathway based on its own circumstances and

priorities.

Fiscal Reform

The Conference noted that in some jurisdictions, fiscal and tax policies were used to

encourage green growth in areas such as renewable energy, waste management and

emissions control. It agreed that if progress on the Green Economy is to be achieved,

investment would need to be redirected to the key drivers of sustainable development. For

that purpose, fiscal policy is an important, though not the only mechanism. Participants

agreed on the need for a comprehensive fiscal policy analysis and review at a regional level

to inform national policy reform and support the wider and deeper inclusion of green

economy principles in national development policy.

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Financing green economy? Funding

The need for investment to further sustainable development and poverty reduction in the

Caribbean but the conference recognised the serious challenges in mobilising adequate

funding on appropriate terms. These include the limited ability of the region due to its mid-

income status, to qualify for concessional development assistance, the restricted ability of

the public sector to clearly articulate the need for financing, high national debt levels and

the susceptibility of the region to natural disasters that combine to increase risk and as a

result, the cost of securing finance.

External financial and technical assistance

Donor support and coordination was recognised as essential for progress in transitioning

to the Green Economy. Opportunities exist for long-term assistance and should be pursued

with the various international institutions like the World Bank. An example of external

support with a long-term horizon is the CGEI through which UNEP, with financial support

of the European Union, provides direct technical assistance to three pilot countries, Haiti,

Jamaica and Saint Lucia. It is hoped that the experiences and lessons learned during its

implementation will provide valuable ideas and opportunities for scaling up a green

economy transition in other countries and regions, especially in the island states of the

Pacific, Africa and elsewhere.

Green economy tools, indicators and measurement frameworks?Measuring progress

Appreciating the importance of measurement for effective management, the conference

explored the range of tools, approaches and techniques used at the international and

national levels for green economy assessments, or for assessing the green jobs potential,

that are available to the Caribbean. There was consensus among participants of the

inadequacy of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) as the primary measure of development.

The conference discussed the green economy tools and approaches such as Threshold-21

combined with multidisciplinary research and a participatory processes that UNEP has

been using for green economy assessments, and the green economy indicators that UNEP

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has proposed. Two other examples of tools applied for an integrated, multi-sectoral

approach were considered. Firstly Climate/Environmental Public Expenditure and

Institutional reviews, which provide guidance on whether sufficient funds are being

allocated to areas like sustainable environmental management and poverty reduction. The

other is Institutional Context Analysis and Capacity Assessments, which provide

information on such factors as state control, competition and distribution of resources, the

influence of external forces, political structures and access to political and economic power.

Figure 1 Panelists and participants engaged in stimulating discussion at closing session

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A regional information network

Participants discussed the value of regional research and the contribution of a policy think-

tank or Centre of Excellence on Green Economy. They agreed on the need for the creation of

a regional network of policy makers, practitioners and thinkers to share national

experiences and strengthen intra-Caribbean and intra-SIDS cooperation in pursuing

poverty reduction and sustainable development through green economy. The members

should regularly participate in regional working sessions, meetings and conferences.

Engaging all stakeholders and the wider public

The conference stressed the central role of Government in transitioning to the green

economy. However it also appreciated the essential roles of other stakeholders - the private

sector, labour, non-governmental organisations, natural resource users, community

groups, etc. Meaningful engagement of the youth is also essential for success in this long-

term pursuit and could be encouraged by investments and changes in the educational and

value systems to promote research, innovation, risk-taking and entrepreneurship.

Participants noted that full public engagement and support are essential if progress is to be

made on the green economy agenda. The concept must therefore first be defined, as a

prelude to enabling the understanding, involvement, ownership and support for the agenda

of the range of stakeholders, including the public and private sectors, civil society, media

houses and other key players like international donors.

The conference called for public awareness and outreach programmes to be devised and

implemented to inform, educate and sensitise the general public and decision-makers on

the need to change attitudes and behaviour patterns, policy, regulations, legislation and

financing choices that can help further the green economy agenda.

The way forward

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The conference

• noted that moving forward on the green economy agenda will require the creation

of a clear and well articulated vision and strategic plan at the regional and national levels,

and a thorough assessment of the policies required for the green economy approach to

make maximum contribution to sustainable development.

• called for urgent dialogue with government ministries and officials with

responsibility for finance and budgetary allocations; recognising the pressing need for

government and financial institutions to make long-term commitments to fund green

initiatives, investment and research and also secure the required external donor funding.

• and concluded that strong political leadership and committed champions and

advocates at both the national and regional levels are vital for success in moving forward.

Political commitment and input should be secured through direct engagement of all

relevant policy and decision-makers as well as the wider public.

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BACKGROUND

The Caribbean region is the area delineated by the Caribbean Sea and Gulf of Mexico, as

well as the waters of the Atlantic Ocean adjacent to these States and Territories, and

generally includes the islands of the Greater Antilles, the Lesser Antilles and Windward

Islands, Guyana, Surinam and French Guyana on the South American mainland, and Belize

on the isthmus of Central America.

FIGURE 2 Map of Caribbean Region

The countries of the Caribbean region face similar challenges of susceptibility to natural

disasters and extreme weather events, vulnerability to global economic changes, and in

some places, poverty and high crime rates, but vary considerably in their degree of

economic development. These vulnerabilities, combined with recent global economic crisis,

create severe economic challenges for the majority of Caribbean states.

map of Caribbean??

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There is a growing awareness within the Caribbean of the need for a new economic

paradigm for inclusive and sustainable development. In the backdrop of the limited

diversification of the countries’ economies and their dependence on natural resources,

Green Economy offers a viable option to increase competitiveness and resilience of the

region’s economies and merge prosperity and inclusive growth with sustainability.

To advance thinking and action on Green Economy in the Caribbean region, the Council of

Trade and Economic Development (COTED) of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM),

endorsed the concept note on “Advancing Caribbean States’ Sustainable Development

Agenda through Green Economy Policies”, at its Thirty-Seventh Special Meeting in

September 2011. At the same meeting, Caribbean countries agreed that the United Nations

Environment Programme (UNEP)’s assistance and lead was required in developing a Green

Economy initiative in close collaboration with the CARICOM Secretariat and its member

states, with inputs from relevant regional and international organizations.

UNEP defines the Green Economy as "one that results in improved human well-being and

social equity, while significantly reducing environmental risks and ecological scarcities".

Green economy can be used as a tool to address the particular development challenges

faced by the Caribbean region. According to UNEP, a Green Economy is "one whose growth

in income and employment is driven by public and private investments that reduce carbon

emissions and pollution, enhance energy and resource efficiency, and prevent the loss of

biodiversity and ecosystem services. These investments need to be catalyzed and supported by

targeted public expenditure, policy reforms and regulation changes. This development path

should maintain, enhance and, where necessary, rebuild natural capital as a critical economic

asset and source of public benefits, especially for poor people whose livelihoods and security

depend strongly on nature."

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The call for Green Economy

transformation in the region

is also voiced by other

regional institutions that

recognise the myriad

challenges the Caribbean

region faces in the economic,

social and environmental

spheres. Further, the outcome document of Rio+20, "The Future We Want", considered the

Green Economy as an important tool for achieving sustainable development and poverty

eradication and asked the UN system to provide toolboxes, methodologies, best practices,

and platforms to interested countries to support the transition to such a Green Economy.

The Caribbean Green Economy Initiative

In order to support the Caribbean countries achieving their national goals of sustainable

development and poverty reduction through the Green Economy, UNEP, in collaboration

with CARICOM and with the financial support of the European Commission, is

implementing a Caribbean Green Economy Initiative (CGEI), which consists of several

components whose collective overall objective is to provide the analysis and policy support

for investing in green sectors and in greening environmental unfriendly sectors. The

initiative, formally entitled “Advancing Caribbean States’ Sustainable Development through

Green Economy” provides direct technical assistance to three pilot countries in the region

and capacity building support to the whole region.

The Caribbean Green Economy Conference 2013

This conference, “Green Economy as a Vehicle for Sustainable Development and Poverty

Eradication in the Caribbean”, was the first regional event under the CGEI and was hosted

jointly by the Ministry of Sustainable Development, Energy, Science & Technology of Saint

Lucia and UNEP. By bringing together policymakers, civil society, regional and

international institutions, academia and the private sector, the conference provided an

“Moving towards a Green Economy is important for

addressing the critical environmental concerns in the

Caribbean, but it is also fundamental for achieving the

region’s social and economic aspirations.”

Hon. James Fletcher Minister of Sustainable Development, Energy, Science & Technology

Saint Lucia

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opportunity for cross-fertilization of ideas, experiences and institutional innovations,

combined with capacity building and networking, to transition to a Green Economy at the

national and regional levels. It also offered opportunities to discuss options and

opportunities that the Green Economy approach presents to address challenges being faced

by the region and to develop a framework for the way forward.

The conference facilitated discussion on the creation of a regional Green Economy network

as a living platform for sharing national experiences and further strengthening intra-

Caribbean and intra-SIDS cooperation in the area of Green Economy. This network, once

formally established, will be expected to connect a vibrant community of policy makers,

practitioners and thinkers who are focused on achieving poverty reduction and sustainable

development through Green Economy in the Caribbean region.

The conference addressed, inter alia, the following major issues:

1. Economic, social and environmental challenges being faced by the Caribbean region;

2. Options and opportunities that the Green Economy approach offers to address these

challenges;

3. Green Economy experiences from the region and beyond;

4. Available tools and approaches to develop national policies which are based on solid

economic and scientific knowledge;

5. Capacity building and technical assistance needs of the region to advance

mainstreaming of Green Economy thinking in national planning processes;

6. Ways and means of strengthening and supporting intra-Caribbean and intra-SIDS

cooperation on Green Economy.

Deliberations took the form of interactive discussions, keynote speeches and presentations,

which facilitated the sharing of perspectives and visions for addressing poverty and other

development challenges of the Caribbean region. Discussions set the strategic direction for

the Caribbean Green Economy Initiative by identifying building blocks for a Caribbean

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Green Economy agenda, and by providing guidance on policy and capacity-building needs

of the region and the most effective ways to deliver available support.

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SITUATIONAL ANALYSIS

The Caribbean region includes independent nations and overseas departments and

territories, each with its own culture and identity.

The majority of Caribbean economies are dependent on natural resources. It has been

noted by some that the region’s most important resource is its tropical island setting, which

has generated a strong tourism sector. Agriculture, too, has played a significant role in the

region's economic development, mainly through the contribution of key crops such as

sugarcane, bananas and rice. Other natural resource-based contributors to economic

development include fisheries, mining (bauxite, iron, nickel, petroleum) and forestry.

Notwithstanding its potential for growth and expansion, the Caribbean region is under

increasing economic and environmental pressure. Since the international financial crisis in

2008, the region has experienced rising unemployment and a decline in key economic

sectors, particularly in tourism and agriculture. In addition, the region is also facing

escalating costs from environmental degradation, unsustainable resource use, high energy

costs and natural disasters.

Given the unique socio-

demographic and geo-

environmental realities of the

Caribbean, it has been

recognised that a Green

Economy agenda for the region

must be tailored taking into

account these realities, along

with the ecological roots of the

most pressing social, economic and environmental challenges being faced by the region.

“...in the short-term, this conference carries the promise

of helping us to get our ideas organised around a

common goal - a goal of creating an economy that

lasts, a goal of creating a form of development that is

durable; a goal of creating a form of development that

impacts in a positive way on the lives of every Saint

Lucian.”

Cletus Springer Director, Department of Sustainable Development

OAS

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Caribbean experiences with green economy policies and practices

Some Caribbean countries have established models for policies, laws and practical actions

towards transitioning to a Green Economy, and these were presented and discussed during

the Conference in an effort to share experiences, highlight best practices and lessons

learned, and to make recommendations for replication of successful cases.

Barbados

The Green Economy approach is being used as a tool for “greening” Barbados, by

facilitating the identification of key challenges, gaps (specifically data gaps), benefits and

solutions, in order to make policy recommendations.

The Green Economy Scoping Study of Barbados helped set the context and defined a

methodological approach for the Green Economy. This was both a top down and bottom up

approach, which was an inclusive process to pursuing the Green Economy, and to

determining how the Green Economy influences the overall planning framework of

Barbados. This integrative process facilitated the establishment of a Green Economy

Technical Steering Committee (GETSC), comprising representatives of government, labour,

business and civil society players.

A very diverse technical team with persons from different backgrounds was also employed

as part of this process. Meetings with various stakeholders (from fisheries, tourism,

transport, agriculture, housing, and other sectors) were facilitated, and were vital in

articulating a multi-sectoral and multi-stakeholder vision for the Green Economy in

Barbados. Technical Seminars were also useful, and allowed for the ventilation of a number

of critical issues. Stakeholders were involved right from the beginning of the Scoping Study

development process.

While Barbados has made significant strides in transitioning to a Green Economy, other

development challenges, the economic regression and climate change, have hampered

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growth. Notwithstanding these challenges, Barbados has made use of the economic

opportunities available, and of lessons learned during the transition. Some major concerns

still exist and require consideration to ensure full transition to the Green Economy.

Belize

The Government of Belize has developed a long term development framework - Horizon

2030 - to guide the formulation and implementation of government policies and

programmes. The Horizon 2030 Strategy provides a new sustainable development context

for the country, with a clear strategic focus on social and economic development. The

framework is overarching, and will be mainstreamed throughout the various sectors,

including environment and climate change.

Substantial work is ongoing in the energy sector. Belize’s energy sources include

hydroelectricity, co-generation and purchases from Mexico. Efforts are underway to

explore energy generation from palm oil, with waste used to produce animal feed. Other

ongoing energy-related initiatives for which there is potential for carbon credits and/or

development support include:

- Use of fuel-efficient vehicles.

- Establishment of no-take and limited take zones in the fisheries and forestry

sector, to reduce pressure on the natural resource and to promote biodiversity

offsets

- Use of solar water heaters and solar energy to drive desalination plants for the

tourism industry

- Focus on organic agricultural production, and on the promotion and use of

climate-resilient crops

- Development and management of a carbon-efficient landfill

- A Debt for Nature Swap with proceeds to target conservation measures in Belize

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- Promotion of a Clean Development Framework for waste management

The Cabinet of Ministers has also endorsed a climate change committee, with

subcommittees focusing on education, mitigation and adaptation.

Jamaica

Jamaica is a middle income country, with challenges such as degradation of natural

systems, high debt and low growth, and has graduated to a level where it is not eligible for

certain types of development assistance. A long-term, bipartisan development approach

(Vision 2030) is in place, which encourages empowerment of Jamaicans, alongside

promotion of a healthy natural environment and secure society. The goals of Vision 2030

are aligned to the three pillars of sustainable development, with an ultimate goal to

eradicate poverty through education, and with health and technology needs as major

considerations.

In addition, the country adopted an Energy Policy dealing with renewable energy and

diversification of the energy base, with technology applications for improving

competitiveness and maximising energy efficiency.

Jamaica is facing challenges related to financing, but some mechanisms are in place to

assist, including agricultural incentives and subsidies to encourage small-scale, sustainable

farming, reduced tax rates on select energy products, and the exploration of bio-mass

potential for energy production.

With regard to agriculture, sustainable farming techniques are being employed, including

the provision of subsidies to promote good agricultural policies.

In making the transition to a Green Economy, it is imperative that Jamaica gives adequate

consideration to the water sector, which experiences significant losses on a regular basis

(due to hydro-meteorological pressures), and to data collection, analysis, and reporting to

inform policy and programme design.

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Saint Lucia

Over the years, Saint Lucia has undertaken foundational work in Integrated Development

Planning (IDP), and has identified a number of principles consistent with a Green Economy.

A National Development Planning process is currently, and is expected to build on existing

work. A robust policy framework is also in place in Saint Lucia, with sector-specific policies

that identify cross-cutting issues, and containing unifying points.

Several bodies have been created over the years, and are expected to strengthen the

institutional framework for Green Economy pursuits. These include:

- National Environmental Commission (NEC);

- National Climate Change Committee (NCCC);

- Coastal Zone Management Advisory Committee (CZMAC); and

- National Council for Science and Technology for Development (NCSTD)

There are also several initiatives geared towards natural resource management and

conservation. These include, but are not limited to, rainwater harvesting, solar energy,

collection and exchange of spatial data, geothermal energy and the use of bananas to

produce ethanol.

Some challenges currently faced include problems associated with economies of scale, the

level of political will, under-resourced agencies, and overall ownership of the relevant

issues.

Nevertheless, the Government of Saint Lucia is committed to advancing national Green

Economy plans, including investing in key economic sectors and safeguarding natural

resources to improve livelihoods. It is recognised that a clear framework, including the

merging of parallel ministerial programmes and an inclusive governance process for the

Green Economy, is needed to successfully move forward.

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CARIBBEAN CHALLENGES, CARIBBEAN REALITIES

Many Caribbean countries are of small geographical size, with a limited resource base and

economic diversity, which makes them comparatively more vulnerable to unforeseen

economic and climatic shocks. The international financial crisis has resulted in significant

loss of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) to several Caribbean countries, causing, inter alia,

growing unemployment and shrinking of many economic sectors, including tourism. At the

same time, the region is affected by environmental challenges, such as sea-level rise,

degradation of coral reefs and unsustainable resource use.

The economic cost of these environmental challenges is high and constantly growing.

Furthermore, the limited diversification of the countries’ economies, narrowness of output

and exports, openness to and dependency on trade, limited natural resource base,

combined with the small size of countries, populations and markets make them more

vulnerable to unstable and unpredictable global economic and climatic variabilities. Price

volatility is especially a notable risk for regional food and energy security.

By adopting a Green Economy approach, countries can move closer to addressing these

development challenges, which will otherwise compromise the social and economic gains

they have made in recent years.

“It is exactly because one is facing such serious challenges that one needs to consider the

Green Economy approach. The essential difference of this approach is that it takes into

account the other dimensions — only then do you have a balanced approach. You use all of

your resources and you coordinate. We are now understanding much better what it takes

for countries to develop and how complicated and difficult it is, and we can’t be single-

minded, but we must approach managing the economy differently.”

Ambassador Edwin Laurent Senior Advisor on the Caribbean Green Economy Initiative (CGEI)

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During the Conference, the challenges, opportunities, weaknesses and strengths of the

transition to a green economy in Barbados were discussed as an example. While Barbados

has made strides in transitioning to a Green Economy, other development challenges, such

as the economic regression and climate change, have hampered growth and make it

difficult to maximise benefits.

Notwithstanding these challenges, Barbados has made use of the opportunities provided

and of the lessons learned during the process. In so doing, the island nation has noted that a

move towards green economy promotes the integration of, and synergies among, the three

pillars of sustainable development. In this context, the country is making an important

effort to enhance the contribution of environmental resources to rural incomes, to enhance

and sustain ecosystem (terrestrial and marine) goods and services, and to promote green,

sustainable and decent jobs that are compliant with living standards.

Some challenges were identified in mobilising investments for sustainable development

and poverty reduction in the Caribbean. These include, but are not limited to, restrictions

on government support due to high debt levels, the prevalence of the region to natural

disasters, high unemployment levels, and consequently, high levels Other barriers to

mobilising sustainable development finance include the limited ability of the region to

qualify for development assistance, the inadequate record-keeping in some private sector

entities; and the restricted ability of the public sector to clearly articulate the need for

financing.

Specifically the agriculture sector, identified as one of the economic mainstays in the

region, faces restricted levels of access to financial support, along with poor access to

farmland and other productive activities, and the limited ability to access crop insurance.

These challenges may be abated through the introduction of a new business model for the

financial sector that would support development, the reduction of uncertainty in relation to

access to finance, and the granting of support to promote foreign direct investment (FDI).

With regard to agriculture, assistance can be granted to help farmers become certified in

Good Agriculture Practices (GAP), as this can enable them to access support for sustainable

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projects.

Notwithstanding the difficulty in mobilising funding, some avenues are available and have

been used to secure resources during different situations. These include:

1. Caribbean Farmers Network (CaFAN), a regional network of Farmers'

Associations and Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) in the Caribbean,

which aims to foster linkages, training and information sharing amongst

Caribbean farmers to enhance their responsiveness to the key challenges facing

the sector.

2. Jagdeo Initiative, a framework for a regional agricultural repositioning strategy,

and the main vehicle for the implementation of the CARICOM Community

Agricultural Policy (CAP), with an initial focus on addressing constraints to the

development of agriculture, including access to land in Guyana;

3. Caribbean Catastrophe Risk Insurance Facility (CCRIF), a risk pooling facility,

owned, operated and registered in the Caribbean for Caribbean governments,

and designed to limit the financial impact of catastrophic hurricanes and

earthquakes by quickly providing short-term liquidity;

4. Caribbean Investment Fund (CIF), an innovative financing mechanism managed

by EuropeAid and implemented in partnership with European and Regional

Development Banks, and established to mobilise additional financing from

European and Caribbean development and finance institutions to support

investment projects dealing mainly with interconnectivity, energy, transport,

disaster mitigation and adaptation, communications, water and sanitation, and

social services infrastructure within the Caribbean region.

5. Global Environment Facility (GEF) Small Grants Programme (SGP), which

provides financial and technical support to projects that conserve and restore

the environment while enhancing people's well-being and livelihoods.

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Recognising the need to effectively deal with the challenges faced in the region, Caribbean

countries have been pursuing fiscal policy reform for sustainable development and poverty

reduction. There is a need, however, for a comprehensive review of regional fiscal policy to

inform policy reform at the national levels, along with wider and deeper policy analysis to

support the inclusion of green economy principles in national development strategies and

plans. It was noteworthy that in some jurisdictions, fiscal and tax policies are used to

encourage green growth in areas such as renewable energy, waste management and

emissions control.

Policy development and coordination at the CARICOM and OECS levels point to a

recognition of the importance of natural resources management in the regional and

national development frameworks. This is further supported by the creation of Ministries

and Divisions with responsibility for sustainable development and/or environment in a

growing number of member states. However, resource constraints and the pursuit of

perceived short-term gains still erode effective and successful pursuits of sustainable

development goals.

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OPTIONS AND OPPORTUNITIES

The Conference placed the green economy as a tool for sustainable development in the

global and the Caribbean context, by noting the need to redirect the key drivers of growth,

including public and private sector investments, fiscal policy, employment, economic

diversification and capacity development in ways that account for nature's input into the

development equation. As such, discussions at the Conference focused on how a green

economy approach can lead to the generation of more and better jobs and a higher level of

prosperity for all, realise trade opportunities and lay the foundation for long-term

sustainability of economic development.

In assessing the options and opportunities available to the region for transitioning to a

green economy, the meaning of 'green economy' and the fact that there is no transferrable

model to follow were highlighted, as was the difference between sustainable development

and green economy. It was agreed that 'sustainable development' is considered a goal,

whereas the green economy is a tool which provides one means to achieve that goal.

Sustainable development focuses on three pillars (economic, social and environmental)

whereas the primary concern of the green economy is the economic aspect of development.

“We think that now is a good time for the region to come together to establish some sort of

framework as it pertains to developing the concept of green economies. For many

developed countries the concept of a green economy, can be considered an option, but for

us it has to be a way of life.”

"We have an abundance of natural resources, so we need to pull all these resources together

and use them in a sustainable way to develop our nations. We also have to ensure that

future generations can enjoy those natural resources."

Honourable Dr. Kenneth Darroux Minister for Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources, Physical Planning and Fisheries

Dominica

29

It is important that focus be placed on all three pillars rather than just the economic aspect,

as doing the latter will not address social and environment-related issues unless a clear

definition of the economic pillar is made. As such, it was agreed that the green economy is

one vehicle and one of several paths to sustainable development. A regional green economy

agenda must be developed, with an assessment of other ongoing initiatives and possible

avenues for developing synergies (for example, the Barbados Programme of Action (BPOA),

the post-2015 agenda for the Caribbean, etc) across all sectors.

The benefits and the gains in efficiency from a green economy transformation in key

sectors were highlighted. Tourism and agriculture were identified as two examples of key

drivers for economic growth in many Caribbean countries, given their numerous linkages

with other economic sectors.

Oceans Governance, for example, is a frequently ignored area in discussions on sustainable

development. At the regional level, the Oceans Governance framework includes several

international and regional treaties as well as national laws and policies. The contributions

of marine resources to national development in the areas of transport, recreation and

exploitation of living and non-living resources are critical, but issues of demarcation and

territorial sovereignty were raised as pressing challenges. The Organisation of Eastern

Caribbean States (OECS) Framework for Oceans Governance and the Eastern Caribbean

Regional Ocean Policy were presented as tools for sustainable oceans management with

links to green economy pursuits. In this context, short, medium and long-term strategies

have been developed to better manage ocean resources and direct their contributions to

the development effort.

The correlation between access to energy products and social mobility was also referenced,

alongside the diverse interventions to improve management of the energy sector and to

reduce its pressures on foreign exchange. Some key ongoing interventions in Saint Lucia

include public sector investments in renewable energy technologies (RETs), an evolving

policy and legal framework to encourage investments in renewable power production,

energy efficiency and conservation programmes and related capacity development

investments. There is tremendous potential for renewable energy in the Caribbean, with

30

the possibility of using LED technology in public buildings and street lighting, and tax and

other fiscal policies to promote investments in green energy solutions, as in the case of

Saint Lucia. The idea of interconnections of the national grids was suggested as was the

possibility to allow for cross-border distribution of primary energy.

The construction, sports, cultural and the performing arts sectors were introduced as other

areas for attention in green economy pursuits, underscoring the need for cross-sectoral

planning and policy formulation.

There is also potential for the creation of green jobs in various other sectors such as fishing,

manufacturing, building, energy, recycling and transport. More specifically, employment

and economic stimulation is possible through the creation of green jobs, an effort which

must be complemented with labour force retraining and industry retooling.

Accounting for natural capital and adopting wider measures of development were mooted

as important tools for transitioning to a more sustainable future. The urgent need to

embrace an integrated approach to development planning as a vehicle for ushering green

economy approaches to sustainable development was noted, as was the imperative for

inclusive and holistic approaches to policy development and implementation.

Labour imbalances and the potential for green economy approaches to promote economic

sustainability, green jobs and labour market imbalances was explored, and the German

Society for International Cooperation (GIZ) presented five key projects which directly or

indirectly contribute to the transition to green economies in the region. The extreme

imbalance between the affluent and the marginalised who generally rely on nature for their

survival was noted, and the contribution of green economy approaches to addressing fiscal

deficits, thereby releasing funds to invest in social safety nets was discussed. The

constraints imposed by fiscal deficits on public sector investments in green economy

pursuits were noted, and discussions referenced the need for policy reform and public-

private sector partnerships to support the transition to green economies.

It was noted that in some jurisdictions, fiscal and tax policies were used to encourage green

growth in areas such as renewable energy, waste management and emissions control, and

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the need for a comprehensive review of regional fiscal policy to inform national level policy

reform was therefore highly promoted. There was also a call for wider and deeper policy

analysis to support the inclusion of green economy principles in national development

strategies and plans.

A number of tools, approaches and techniques used at the international and national levels

for green economy assessments (including quantitative assessments through system

dynamics modeling), or for assessing the green jobs potential, are available to be accessed

and used by countries in the Caribbean region, with suitability dependent on specific needs

and experiences. As such, technological and capacity needs assessments are valuable in

determining what tools and resources are essential in moving forward.

Two examples of tools applied for an integrated, multi-sectoral approach are Climate/

Environmental Public Expenditure and Institutional Reviews, which provide guidance on

whether sufficient funds are being allocated to areas like sustainable environmental

management and poverty reduction, and Institutional Context Analysis and Capacity

Assessments, which provide information on such factors as state control, competition and

distribution of resources, the influence of external forces, political structures and access to

political and economic power. Public Expenditure and Institutional Reviews have been

used in Mozambique, Samoa, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Indonesia, Nepal, Morocco, The

Philippines, Thailand, and Viet Nam, where typical expenditure review findings have

included the need for:

• Greater public investment in local government, social protection, and infrastructure;

• Better links between inclusive green economy priorities and budgeting;

• Better budget coding and transparency of budget planning and accounting; and

• Opportunities to link to other tools, such as gender-responsive budgeting.

In addition, other tools forming the Inclusive Green Economy Toolkit, which focuses on

inclusive green growth include:

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• Diagnostic and decision-making tools such as integrated environmental, social

and economic assessments for trade-offs and synergies;

• Policy instruments for environmental fiscal reform, employment, social protection,

financing, stakeholder engagement, and capacity assessment; and

• Measurement frameworks, including data, indicators, accounts and indices used

to inform, value, monitor, evaluate, educate, and advocate.

Reference was made to the inadequacy of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) as the primary

measure of development, and the need to take into account the fact that the source of

income and well-being is wealth, broadly defined to include manufactured capital, natural

capital and ‘intangible’ (i.e. human and social) capital, without creating liabilities.

An example was made of water accounting and the use of measures to explain linkages

between water consumption, production and human well-being. The concepts of Adjusted

Net Savings and the System of Environmental-Economic Accounting (SEEA), and their

utility in influencing investment decisions was discussed.

Conference attendees were introduced to the business and investment opportunities

available in Saint Lucia, through a new investment approach focusing on sustainable

investments, and targeting investors based on identified development goals. Invest Saint

Lucia was established to "stimulate, facilitate and promote investment opportunities for

foreign and local investors and promote the economic development of Saint Lucia”. The

company is on the verge of adopting a Triple Bottom Line methodology for identifying and

assessing investment projects, with the aim of assisting in developing and implementing a

"National Investment Policy and Strategy for Saint Lucia that is integrated with the overall

development strategy of the Country, and that is conducive to sustainable development".

This can be seen as a possible green economy approach to investment promotion, and is

predicated on three (3) premises (Triple Bottom Line) namely:

1. environmental sustainability

2. economic viability (fair returns on investments)

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3. social equity (opportunity, access and empowerment)

The approach will involve matching potential investors to specific “investment-ready”

projects, moving gradually to a 3rd generation investment model, and policy proposals

based on identified challenges and priorities.

In ensuing discussions on the tools and approaches for green economy assessments, a

number of questions were raised by participants on the usefulness of tools presented, on

the inclusion of human nature in the definition of the green economy as related to wealth

creation, and on the starting point in the wealth creation approach to measure

development and growth.

Responses suggested that improved governance frameworks must be in place to support

the transition to a green economy, and the institutional Context Analysis and Capacity

Assessment provides a forum to institute change, address politically sensitive issues, and

possibly assist in convincing Governments to invest in green initiatives. Further, it was

agreed that wealth creation begins with knowing and valuing the resource base and the

limits it provides, with linkages made between the human development index and the

ecological footprint.

Educational reform and training initiatives, legislative frameworks and policies in support

of the green economy, financing and insurance facilities, social partnerships, data collection

and information-sharing, rigorous monitoring and evaluation (M&E) frameworks with

links to knowledge management and community-based resource management and

development frameworks (to foster empowerment and local governance) were identified

as key to addressing the challenges currently faced by the SIDS of the Caribbean region.

Dialogue and brainstorming on these needs can be strengthened through continued

discourse on, and a collection of perspectives on how a regional green economy knowledge

and networking platform could be shaped. This will revolve on work already undertaken,

for example, by the Cave Hill School of Business at the University of the West Indies, and

other regional work on green economy research and training. There are many examples of

green economy approaches to development, thereby justifying the call for a network of

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practitioners to allow for the sharing of ideas and experiences for quicker programme

development and implementation.

Further, donor coordination can be used to make significant progress in transitioning to

the Green Economy. Opportunities exist for such assistance, and it was determined that

countries should seek long-term support from institutions like the World Bank rather than

support with a shorter time horizon. The Caribbean Green Economy Initiative (CGEI) also

provides, through UNEP, in cooperation with the CARICOM Secretariat and with financial

support of the European Union, direct technical assistance to three pilot countries (Saint

Lucia, Haiti and Jamaica) and capacity building support to the entire Caribbean region. It is

anticipated that the experiences and lessons learned during its implementation will offer

ideas and opportunities for scaling up a green economy transition in other countries and

regions, especially in the island states of the Pacific, Africa and elsewhere.

It was determined that social dialogue should be at the centre of policy and decision-

making in the green economy. In addition, discussion must continue at the national and

regional levels on peculiarities which the green economy can address in SIDS, particularly

in defining whether their development models are sustainable. In so doing, however, too

many expectations should not be pinned on the green economy, as the approach will

address only certain issues. Countries must therefore be realistic in determining what is

strategically feasible and what is not, and must manage expectations in that regard.

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RECOMMENDATIONS

From the discussions at the Caribbean Green Economy Conference, a number of

suggestions and recommendations emerged for moving forward with regional and national

approaches to green economy in the Caribbean. These were based on extensive discussion,

and from consideration of lessons learned on experiences of other countries within the

region and beyond.

Given successes in Europe, it was felt that green economy pursuits should also work in the

Caribbean region. Caribbean countries are susceptible to natural disasters which often

affect their economies, and a green economy strategy that takes a true account of natural

resources in public sector accounting should be embraced. A strong case was made for

considering the contributions of biodiversity to the green economy transition process as

the SIDS of the region have historically based their economies on nature.

It was noted that a clear strategy, including a defining vision for the green economy at the

national and regional levels must be determined, along with the pathways to facilitate a

successful transition. This will involve an assessment of the capacity-building and technical

assistance requirements, and an understanding of how the enabling conditions for

advancing the green economy in the region can be created. For the SIDS of the Caribbean

region, these enabling conditions can include specific links to the vast marine and coastal

ecosystems, such as mapping, bathymetric surveys and resource assessments.

It was proposed during plenary discussions that national and regional level analyses be

conducted to maximise the benefits potentially provided by the green economy. With such

strengths as a strong regional corporation mechanism, weaknesses of scarce resources, and

threats of climate change, disasters and environmental risk vulnerability, the region stands

to benefit from a number of opportunities within its reach. As an example, public/private

partnerships were lauded as providing a firm platform from which the initiatives can be

launched, as other regions (for example, the European Union) have unique approaches

which may be replicated by the Caribbean.

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Firm governance and financial frameworks must be put in place to facilitate transition to a

green economy, upon which sustainable development is highly dependent. Access to

financing is noted as a key barrier to sustainable development in the region, and innovative

ways to attract investments must be pursued. As such, government sectoral policy reforms

to support green economy investments must be pursued in tandem with the tremendous

opportunities in the Caribbean for economic diversification (for example, through

increased public-private partnerships), in order to maximise the benefits which can be

derived from the green economy. Private-sector implementation of relevant national

policies can be promoted through a robust industrial policy framework, which, along with

other policies, must be translated into action plans with budgets and adequately resourced

implementation entities, and into laws with related incentives and disincentives,

particularly aligned for vulnerable groups and ethnic minorities in society.

The green economy provides an avenue for the introduction of new business opportunities

which will hopefully improve the lives of current and future generations of the Caribbean

region, and consideration must be given to effectively move from policy development to

implementation to take advantage of available opportunities. This can be achieved through

the development of stronger and better resourced institutions with capacity and capability

to implement projects and programmes; through the development of tools to measure and

integrate the cost of inaction into arguments to promote policy implementation and by

harnessing ownership and accountability of initiatives put in place. This can be achieved

through wider consultation and participation in decision making, which is ongoing, but

requires strengthening at the national and regional levels.

As change requires modification of practices and behaviours, dialogue with social planners

and experts is essential. Social dynamics within the Caribbean population (employment

levels, age disparity, gender relations, etc) must be noted as issues to consider in moving

forward. Challenges such as these are not homogenous across the region, and must be

looked at closely to ensure a relatively smooth transition to the Green Economy. Means of

accounting for social factors, such as the elderly, high unemployment levels, the poor,

education issues, etc. into pushing the green economy process forward should be explored.

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It is also critical that the values and attitudes of regional citizens be changed, if the myriad

social and environmental issues affecting the Caribbean region are to be addressed.

Governments’ role in transitioning to the green economy is essential, as are the roles of

other stakeholders - non-governmental organisations, the private sector, natural resource

users, community groups, donor agencies, etc. Meaningful engagement of the youth is also

essential for success in this long-term pursuit, and should be encouraged by investments

and changes in the educational and value systems to promote research, innovation, risk-

taking and entrepreneurship, and by providing incentives for retention of skilled labour.

The Conference also highlighted the reality that the Caribbean is one of the most hazard-

prone regions in the world, making it critical that hazards, both natural and human-

induced, must be considered in the development agenda. This is important as the region's

high-risk profile is seen as a disincentive for potential investors. With regard to

implementing green economy programmes and initiatives, it is purported that approaches

should be treated as business interventions rather than “business as usual”. Business

continuity management is also key in fostering coping mechanisms for dealing with the

elderly, young and other vulnerable segments of society, and human resource development

must be oriented to deal with associated issues, particularly when change is necessary or

required.

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LOOKING FORWARD

Discussions throughout the Conference took stock of the ongoing efforts in the region to

advance the sustainable development agenda through the application of principles and

policies consistent with the green economy concept. Work has been undertaken in the

areas of renewable energy generation, agriculture, tourism, biodiversity conservation,

employment generation, design of poverty reduction strategies and the introduction of

some green investment initiatives. Many Caribbean nations have also moved forward with

the creation of Government ministries and departments with the responsibility for

sustainable development and the environment, and there has been an emergence of

national development plans and vision plans reflecting sustainable development.

Discussions also highlighted the significant challenges in advancing sustainable

development and poverty reduction strategies in the region, and the need to redefine the

development planning and investment decisions to place human development at the centre

of efforts.

As an initial deliverable from the Conference, the outcomes of the discussions are

articulated in the Chairman's Summary of the Conference (Refer to Annex 3), which took

stock of the current realities and provides concrete ideas on the way forward with a

regional green economy agenda. Dialogue must be initiated to explore how the

recommendations can be used to promote the concept and approach and attract technical,

financial and other support and buy-in from relevant players to promote green economy

approaches at the national and regional levels.

The green economy provides the means to build on national and regional realities in

pursuit of balanced and sustainable human, environmental and economic development,

and will require improved regional collaboration and sharing of experiences. The decision

must be taken from the onset, as to whether this will be initiated as a collaborative effort

among regional SIDS, through, for example, the development of a regional policy, which is

39

then tailored to meet individual country needs, and through brainstorming on support for a

regional research and policy think-tank or Centre of Excellence on Green Economy.

In moving ahead, it was determined that the context of the green economy must be defined,

and the specific challenges and existing opportunities explored. In this regard, the green

economy must be defined in the context of sustainable development, with an assessment of

how the concepts can be adopted as a pathway for the region, which each country can use

to create a national pathway based on its circumstances and priorities.

Once the pathway is agreed upon, the implementation requirements (for example, research

and development, data to enable decision-making, capacity-building and training,

information to educate and sensitise the general populace and decision-makers on the need

to change attitudes and behaviours, policy, regulations, legislation and financing to

implement the green economy initiatives) must be considered, with an assessment of the

means to secure their inputs into the process and outcomes.

Donor funding needs to be secured, and dialogue with government ministries and officials

with responsibility for finance and budgetary allocations must take place. There is an

urgent need to engage government and development financial institutions to make long-

term commitments to fund green initiatives, investment and research.

Measures must also be taken to foster an enabling climate to encourage and support the

involvement and ownership of all stakeholders, including the public and private sectors,

civil society, donors, funding agencies, media houses and other key players in the

discussion on green economy. Adequate means of involving community-based

organisations and groups and the general public in the green economy deliberations

requires a thorough exploration of outreach and public awareness mechanisms. The green

economy provides an opportunity to take the discussion of sustainable development to

stakeholders who are currently not convinced of the benefits of sustainable development.

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It is important that the labour movement be involved in discussions on the transition,

particularly since the Green Economy is aligned to the creation of new, cutting-edge jobs.

Education, from early childhood to tertiary levels, must also be the centerpiece of all

discourse to encourage the youth, in particular, to shape a new Caribbean, driven by the

green economy concept.

Participants of the first-ever Caribbean Green Economy Conference welcome the support of

UNEP, the European Union, the Commonwealth, the World Bank, CARICOM, the OECS and

other development partners, to facilitate the advancement of the Green Economy agenda in

the region. Work being undertaken by the Green Economy Action Learning Group can help

support the transition in the region, particularly through identifying capacity needs at the

regional and national levels.

FIGURE 3 Media houses actively cover discussions during media forum hosted by Conference organisers.

FIGURE 4 (L-R) Mr. Bishnu Tulsie (Executive Director, Saint Lucia National Trust), Mr. Sylvester Clauzel (Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Sustainable Development, Saint Lucia) and Honourable Dr. Kenneth Darroux (Minister for… Dominica) field questions from the media.

41

CONCLUSION

There is currently a strong acceptance that the green economy approach is vital for

sustainability of the regional development agenda as well as for the sustainable use of the

region’s rich natural resources on which this development is based. It is important that

resources be secured and used to encourage active communication, cooperation and

collaboration among all sectors and stakeholders, as it was agreed that multiple

stakeholder engagement and participation are critical to supporting the transition to a

green economy. Capacity development, through education and increased outreach and

awareness, were also cited as necessary tools for knowledge enhancement, and which, once

designed to meet actual needs, can provide instrumental support for green economies in

the Caribbean.

It was echoed during the Conference that political leadership for the green economy, with

good governance structures, champions and advocates at both the national and regional

levels, must be actively engaged to effectively move the agenda forward. Political

commitment and guidance may be secured through direct engagement of key policy and

decision-makers to put green economy on the agenda as a viable option for sustainable

development in the region.

Moving forward will require the creation of a clear vision and strategic plan for the green

economy at the regional and national levels, and a thorough assessment of the linkages

which will enable the use of the approach to achieve sustainable development. Increased

regional dialogue must also be facilitated through the adoption of a green economy

strategy and work plan, as tools for sustainable development at the regional level, and

through the establishment of a regional green economy network with the organisation of

regular working sessions, meetings and Conferences within the region. It is recommended

to include of financial planning, statistics and economics officials, the private sector and

civil society organisations in future deliberations on the ways in which green economy as a

vehicle for sustainable development and poverty eradication can be achieved.

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ANNEX 1: CONFERENCE AGENDA

The Caribbean Green Economy Conference 2013

Green Economy as a Vehicle for

Sustainable Development and Poverty Eradication in the Caribbean

4-6 June 2013

Rex Resorts (Rex and Royal Saint Lucia)

Gros Islet, Saint Lucia

Background

To advance thinking and action on green economy in the Caribbean region, the Council of Trade

and Economic Development (COTED) from the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) on

Environment and Sustainable Development, endorsed the concept note on “Advancing

Caribbean States’ Sustainable Development Agenda through Green Economy Policies”, in its

Thirty-Seventh Special Meeting held in September 2011. In the same meeting, Caribbean

countries agreed that UNEP’s assistance and lead was required in developing a green economy

initiative in close collaboration with the Caribbean Community Secretariat and its member states,

with inputs from relevant regional and international organizations. The call for green economy

transformation in the region is also voiced by other regional institutions that recognize myriad

challenges the Caribbean region faces in economic, social and environmental spheres. Later on,

the outcome document of Rio+20, The future we want, considered the green economy as an

important tool for achieving sustainable development and poverty eradication and asked the UN

system to provide toolboxes, methodologies, best practices, and platforms to interested countries

to support the transition to such a green economy.

In the Caribbean, green economy offers opportunities to address the particular development

challenges being faced by the region. The international financial crisis has resulted in significant

loss of GDP to several Caribbean countries, which has caused, inter alia, growing

unemployment and shrinking of many economic sectors including tourism. At the same time, the

region is affected by environmental challenges, such as sea-level rise, degradation of coral reefs

and unsustainable resource use. The economic cost of these environmental challenges is high and

constantly growing. Furthermore, the limited diversification of the countries’ economies,

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narrowness of output and exports, openness to and dependency on trade, limited resource-base

and small population, small market and small geographical size, makes them comparatively more

vulnerable to unstable and unpredictable global economic and climatic situation. Price volatility

is especially a notable risk for the food and energy security in the Caribbean.

The Caribbean Green Economy Initiative

In order to support the Caribbean countries achieving their national goals of sustainable

development and poverty reduction through green economy, the United Nations Environment

Programme (UNEP), in collaboration with CARICOM and with the financial support of

European Commission, is implementing a Caribbean Green Economy Initiative (CGEI). The

initiative, formally entitled “Advancing Caribbean States’ Sustainable Development through

Green Economy” provides direct technical assistance to three pilot countries in the region and

capacity building support to the whole region.

The Caribbean Green Economy Conference 2013

This conference “Green Economy as a Vehicle for Sustainable Development and Poverty

Eradication in the Caribbean” is the first regional event under the CGEI and is being hosted

jointly by the Ministry of Sustainable Development, Energy, Science & Technology of Saint

Lucia and UNEP. By bringing together policymakers, civil society, academia and the private

sector, it will provide an opportunity for cross fertilization of ideas, experiences and institutional

innovations, combined with capacity building and networking. It will also offer opportunities to

discuss options and opportunities that the green economy approach presents to address

challenges being faced by the region and to develop a framework for the way forward.

The conference will also enable the creation of a regional green economy network as a living

platform for sharing national experiences and further strengthening intra-Caribbean and intra-

SIDS cooperation in the area of green economy. This network is expected to connect a vibrant

community of policy makers, practitioners and thinkers who are focused on achieving poverty

reduction and sustainable development through green economy.

Key issues

The conference will, inter alia, discuss the following major issues:

The Government of Saint Lucia and UNEP are thankful for the financial support offered by the European Union for this conference and the

Caribbean Green Economy Initiative

.

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1. Economic, social and environmental challenges being faced by the Caribbean Region;

2. Options and opportunities that the green economy approach offers to address these

challenges;

3. Green economy experiences from the region and beyond;

4. Available tools and approaches to develop national policies which are based on solid

economic and scientific knowledge;

5. Capacity building and technical assistance needs of the region to advance mainstreaming

of green economy thinking in national planning processes;

6. Ways and means of strengthening and supporting intra-Caribbean and intra-SIDS

cooperation on green economy.

Format

Deliberations will be carried out in the form of interactive discussions and will be preceded by keynote speeches and presentations. The conference will be held in English. Translation for statements/speeches/presentations made in French can be offered on request.

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Agenda for the Regional Green Economy Conference

Green Economy as a Vehicle for Sustainable Development and Poverty Eradication in the Caribbean

Gros Islet, Saint Lucia Rex Resorts (Rex by Royal Saint Lucia)

Date: 4-6 June 2013

Day/Time Session

DAY 1 4 June

8:30 – 9:00 am Registration

9:00 –10:30 am Opening Remarks and Key note speeches

Facilitator: Mr. Cletus Springer – Director of the Department of Sustainable Development of the Organisation of American States (OAS)

- Crispin d’Auvergne- Chief Sustainable Development and Environment Officer, Ministry of Sustainable Development, Energy, Science and Technology

- Steven Stone, Chief, Economics and Trade Branch, United Nations Environment Programme

- Jannik Vaa, Delegation of the European Union to Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean

- Alwin Hales, Permanent Secretary (Ministry of Water, Land, Environment and Climate Change – Government of Jamaica)

- Sylvester Clauzel, Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Sustainable Development, Energy, Science and Technology – Government of Saint Lucia

Feature Speaker

Ambassador Edwin Laurent, Senior Advisor, The Caribbean Green Economy Initiative

Formal Opening of Conference

Hon. Dr. Kenneth Darroux (Minister of Environment, Natural Resources, Physical Planning and Fisheries – Dominica)

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10:30 - 11:00 am Coffee Break

11:00 – 11:30 am Objectives and Introductions

Facilitator: Mr. Crispin d’Auvergne (Ministry of Sustainable Development, Energy, Science and Technology, Saint Lucia)

- Participants Introductions

- Presentation of the project “Advancing Caribbean States’ Sustainable Development through Green Economy” (Simon Lobach, UNEP)

- Objectives, expected outcomes and agenda (Asad Naqvi, UNEP)

- Participants Expectations

11.30 – 1.00 pm Caribbean challenges, Caribbean realities

Given the unique socio-demographic and geo-environmental realities of the Caribbean, a green economy agenda for the region must be tailored taking into account these realities. Presentations and discussions in this will highlight the ecological roots of the most pressing social, economic and environmental challenges being faced by the region.

Facilitator: Alwin Hales, Permanent Secretary (Ministry of Water, Land, Environment and Climate Change – Government of Jamaica)

Presentations:

- Ethelmark Durant (Ministry of Finance – Government of Barbados)

- Dr. Elvis Nurse (Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency)

Panellists:

- Ricky Wilson (United Nations Development Programme)

Plenary Discussions

1:00 – 2:00 pm Lunch Break

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2:00 - 3:30pm Current activities undertaken to address development challenges

Facilitator: Aviva St. Clair (Economic Planning Unit, Ministry of Finance – Saint Lucia)

Interactive exchange sessions (30 minutes)

- Breakout group 1: mobilising investment

- Breakout group 2: fiscal policy reform

- Breakout group 3: ensuring inclusive development

Presentations in plenary and Q&A

3:30 – 3:45 pm Coffee Break

3:45 – 5:00 pm Green Economy: what does it offer the Caribbean region?

The session will discuss how a green economy agenda, founded on the Caribbean realities, can help address key challenges being faced by the region. This discussion will focus on how a green economy approach can lead to creating more and better jobs, higher level of prosperity for all, realization of trade opportunities and building the foundation for long term sustainability of economic development.

Facilitator: Mr. Sylvester Clauzel (Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Sustainable Development, Energy, Science and Technology – Government of Saint Lucia)

Presentations:

- Asad Naqvi (UNEP)

- Kelvin Sergeant (ILO)

- Rainer Engels (GIZ)

Plenary Discussions

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DAY 2 5 June

Policy instruments

9:00 – 9:15 Celebration of World Environment Day

- Sylvester Clauzel (Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Sustainable Development, Energy, Science and Technology – Saint Lucia)

- Dr. Steven Stone (United Nations Environment Programme)

9:15 – 9:30 Recapitulation of Day 1

9:30 – 11:00 am

Overview of green economy tools and approaches

A number of tools and approaches are available at the international and national levels. Techniques used for green economy assessments such as quantitative assessments through system dynamics modelling, or assessing the green jobs potential. The session will showcase the work that is currently being undertaken by various organisations with regard to indicators that go beyond GDP to measure accomplishment of economic, social and environmental objectives. Country needs will be identified, and participants will provide their experiences in this area. The session will offer an opportunity to discuss the suitability of different approaches and tools for green economy work in the Caribbean region. Different tools to consider include (see Annex for further reference) :

- System of Environmental-Economic Accounting (SEEA)

- Quantitative modelling

- Green economy assessment

- “Beyond GDP”: green economy indicators

Facilitator: Roger Turnquest (Ministry of Finance, Government of Bahamas)

Presentations:

- Steven Stone (United Nations Environment Programme)

- Tim Scott (United Nations Development Programme)

- John Matuszak (World Bank)

- Mchale Andrew (Invest St. Lucia)

49

11:00 - 11:30 am Coffee Break

11:30 – 13:00 pm Caribbean experiences with green economy policies and practices

Some Caribbean countries have established replicable models for green economy policies and practices. In this session, countries will share their experiences with green economy and highlight best practices and lessons learned. The discussion will focus on how to replicate and scale up successful experiences.

Facilitator: Tighe Geoghegan (CANARI)

Presentations:

- Dr. Wendell Parham (CEO, Ministry of Forestry, Fisheries & Sustainable Development – Government of Belize)

- Dr. Winston Moore (University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus)

Panellists:

- Le-Anne Roper (Planning Institute of Jamaica)

- Crispin d’Auvergne (Ministry of Sustainable Development, Energy, Science and Technology – Government of Saint Lucia)

1:00 –2.00 pm Lunch Break

2:00 - 3:30pm Green economy potential in the Caribbean region

Interactive exchange sessions (30 minutes)

- Breakout group 1: green economy opportunities and challenges for sustaining economic growth

- Breakout group 2: green economy opportunities and challenges for combating poverty

- Breakout group 3: green economy opportunities and challenges for building natural capital

Presentations in plenary and Q&A (60 minutes)

Facilitator: Gillian Guthrie (Ministry of Water, Land, Environment and Climate Change – Jamaica)

50

3:30 – 3:45 pm Coffee Break

3:45 – 5:00 pm Key drivers for economic growth in the Caribbean: merging growth and

sustainability

Given the relative homogeneity of Caribbean economies, a number of sectors that have high potential for guiding a green economy transition can be easily identified. Tourism and agriculture are two examples of key drivers for economic growth in many Caribbean countries, given their numerous linkages with other economic sectors, but also manufacturing and mining are worth including. The experiences from different Caribbean countries and sectoral organisations will guide the discussion. The benefits and the gains in sector efficiency, which derive from a green economy transformation in Caribbean key sectors, will be illustrated during this session.

Facilitator: Pamela Thomas (Caribbean Farmers Network)

Presentations:

- Peter Murray (Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States)

- Judith Schmidt (Ministry of Sustainable Development, Energy, Science and Technology – Saint Lucia)

Panel discussion:

- Bishnu Tulsie (Saint Lucia National Trust)

Plenary discussion

5:00 – 5:15 pm Daily announcements

51

DAY 3 6 June

Looking forward

9:00 – 9:15 am

Recapitulation of Day 2

9:15 – 10:30 am Green Economy Pathways for the Caribbean

In this session, options and opportunities for a Caribbean pathway to a green economy will be discussed. More specifically, the session will:

1. Identify priorities for a regional green economy agenda.

2. Incorporate green economy into the post-2015 agenda for the Caribbean.

Facilitator: Cletus Springer, Director of the Department of Sustainable Development of the Organisation of American States (OAS)

Presenter:

- Ruth Blyther (East Caribbean Programme Director - The Nature Conservancy)

- Marinus Pascal (Ministry of Social Transformation, Local Government and Community Empowerment)

Panellists:

- Tighe Geoghegan (CANARI)

- Gordon Bispham (Caribbean Policy Development Centre)

10:30 - 11:00 am Coffee Break

11:00 – 12:30pm

Green Economy Pathways for the Caribbean Continued

In this session, possibilities for the ways forward in the green economy transition will be discussed. Specific components of this session will be:

a) How should the Caribbean Green Economy Network be shaped?

52

b) Defining a regional green economy strategy.

c) Identify capacity building and technical assistance needs for transitioning towards a green economy.

d) Caribbean centre of excellence on green economy.

Facilitator: Cletus Springer (Director of the Department of Sustainable Development of the OAS)

12:30 – 13:30pm Lunch break

13:30 – 15:00 pm

Plenary discussion leading to the adoption of a communiqué

Facilitator: Ambassador Edwin Laurent, Senior Advisor, The Caribbean Green Economy Initiative

Panellists:

- Hon. Dr. James Fletcher (Minister of Sustainable Development, Energy, Science and Technology – Government of Saint Lucia)

- Hon. Dr. Kenneth Darroux (Minister of Environment, Natural Resources, Physical Planning and Fisheries – Dominica)

- Dr. Wendell Parham (CEO, Ministry of Forestry, Fisheries & Sustainable Development – Government of Belize)

15:00 – 16:00 pm

Closing session

Moderator: Sylvester Clauzel (Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Sustainable Development, Energy, Science and Technology – Government of Saint Lucia)

Closing remarks

Dr. Steven Stone (United Nations Environment Programme)

Closing remarks

Hon. James Fletcher (Minister of Sustainable Development, Energy, Science

53

and Technology – Government of Saint Lucia)

Appendix 11

Decision-making Tools, Policy Instruments, and Measurement Frameworks

to Support Inclusive Green Economy Approaches

Integrated decision-making tools

There are a range of decision-making tools which focus on improving both environmental and social

outcomes. Environmental Assessments (SEAs) refer to a range of analytical and participatory

approaches that aim to integrate environmental considerations into policies and evaluate the inter-

linkages with economic, social, and climate change considerations. They comprise a variety of tools,

rather than a single, fixed and prescriptive approach.

World Bank. Strategic Environmental Assessment Toolkit: http://go.worldbank.org/XIVZ1WF880

Poverty and social impact analysis (PSIA) involves the analysis of the distributional impact of policy

reforms on the well-being of different stakeholder groups, with a particular focus on the poor and

vulnerable. World Bank A User’s Guide to Poverty and Social Impact Analysis

There are also examples of modeling approaches such as the analysis of labour market and income

effects, where the knowledge of how the transition to a sustainable, low-carbon economy will affect

employment, especially underlying job movements, as well as income generation and distribution is

vital to informing policy.

ILO (2011) Assessing Green Jobs Potential in Developing Countries: A Practitioner’s Guide.

UNDP Institutional Context Analysis methodology for assessing political and institutional factors, and the

use of national and external resources.

http://www.undp.org/content/undp/en/home/librarypage/democratic-

governance/oslo_governance_centre/Institutional_and_Context_Analysis_Guidance_Note/.

Policy instruments

Green Investment Strategies

1 This document was jointly prepared by UNEP, UNDP, UNDESA by the Green Economy tools workshop.

54

The report “Towards a Green Economy: Pathways to Sustainable Development and Poverty Eradication”

examines the potential effects on inclusive growth, employment creation and environmental gains of

investing 2% global GDP in 10 key economic sectors. The report offers a range of tools and instruments

that can help policy makers identify investment options and policy reforms to advance their sustainable

development goals.

UNEP Green Economy Report: Synthesis for Policy Makers:

www.unep.org/greeneconomy/Portals/88/documents/ger/GER_synthesis_en.pdf

Economic Instruments for Environmental Management

As natural resources come under increasing pressure and countries face ongoing budget constraints,

economic instruments – pollution taxes, user fees and other incentives to improve environmental

quality – can provide an important tool to complement command-and-control measures to ensure

sustainable development.

Integrated Policymaking for Sustainable Development: A Reference Manual,

www.unep.ch/etb/publications/IPSD%20manual/UNEP%20IPSD%20final.pdf

Integrated Assessment for Mainstreaming Sustainability into Policymaking: A Guidance

Manual

www.unep.ch/etb/publications/AI%20guidance%202009/UNEP%20IA%20final.pdf

The Use of Economic Instruments for Environmental and Natural Resource Management

www.unep.ch/etb/publications/EI%20manual%202009/Training%20Resource%20Manual.pdf

UNDP www.undp.org/content/dam/undp/library/Environment%20and%20Energy/Examples-of-

Inclusive-Green-Economy-Approaches-in-UNDP's-Support-to-Countries-June2012_Updated-

Sept2012.pdf

Environmental Fiscal Reform (EFR)

EFR refers to a range of taxation and pricing measures which can raise fiscal revenues, increase

efficiency and improve social equity while furthering environmental goals.

Global Subsidies Initiative, IISD, www.iisd.org/gsi/

www.unpei.org/PDF/policyinterventions-programmedev/EnvFiscalReform-whatshouldbedone.pdf

Reforming Fiscal Policies, Low Carbon Green Growth Roadmap for Asia and the Pacific, ESCAP,

www.unescap.org/esd/environment/lcgg/documents/roadmap/Roadmap/individual/2.2.2.pdf

Public Climate and Environmental Expenditure Reviews (PEERs)

55

PEERs examine government resource allocations within and among sectors, and/or at national and sub-

national levels of government, and assesses their efficiency and effectiveness in the context of

environmental and social priorities.

www.unpei.org/PDF/budgetingfinancing/Public-Env-Expend-Reviews-PEERS.pdf

www.environmental-mainstreaming.org/documents/EM%20Profile%20No%2012%20-

%20PEER%20(5%20Oct%2009)%20(2).pdf

Social Protection Instruments

Social protection instruments are a way to make green growth more inclusive and socially acceptable

including by easing the burden of the transition on the disadvantaged. There are a range of social

protection schemes including public works programmes, micro-credit and conditional cash transfers.

Some of these schemes are now expanded to include climate and environmental aspects now known as

“climate adaptive” social protection. Examples of the latter include micro-insurance that takes account

of the risks of climate disasters, and conditional cash transfers linked to forest management, known as

Reduced Emissions for Deforestation and Degradation.

UNDP and ILO (2011), “Sharing Innovative Experiences: Successful Social Protection Floor Experiences”.

south-south.ipc-undp.org/library/successful-social-protection-floor-experiences.html

UNDP Human Development Impact Assessment of Trade Policy: A Toolkit

Low Carbon Green Growth Development Policies

A comprehensive toolbox of green growth/green economy policies for resource efficiency, including

physical infrastructure such as transport, buildings and energy systems, as well as market prices,

regulations and lifestyles.

Low Carbon Green Growth Roadmap for Asia and the Pacific, ESCAP,

www.unescap.org/esd/environment/lcgg/documents/roadmap/Roadmap/

www.undp.org/content/dam/undp/library/Environment%20and%20Energy/Climate%20Strategies/

UNDP-LECRDS-Guidebook-v17-web.pdf

Measurement Frameworks

System of Environmental-Economic Accounting (SEEA)

The SEEA Central Framework, which was adopted as an international statistical standard by the UN

Statistical Commission in 2012, is a multi-purpose conceptual framework that describes the

environment and its inter-relationships with the economy. It applies the accounting concepts,

structures, rules and principles of the System of National Accounts to environmental information,

allowing for the integration of environmental and economic information in a single framework to help

monitor green economy and sustainable development initiatives. The SRRA Experimental Ecosystem

Accounting provides a complementary approach by focusing on ecosystems, their conditions and flows

of services to economic and human activity.

56

unstats.un.org/unsd/envaccounting/seeanews.asp

Measuring Progress Towards a Green Economy

This brochure introduces a framework for the use of indicators in developing and tracking green

economy policies. The objective is to provide brief guidance on the use of indicators in major stages of

policymaking using environmental issues as an illustrative entry point.

http://www.unep.org/greeneconomy/Portals/88/documents/research_products/MeasuringProgres

s.pdf

GGKP Scoping Paper: Moving towards a Common Approach on Green Growth Indicators

http://www.unep.org/greeneconomy/Portals/88/documents/partnerships/GGKP%20Moving%20toward

s%20a%20Common%20Approach%20on%20Green%20Growth%20Indicators.pdf

IUCN: Environmental Accounting: What’s It all About? (2001) in

www.unpei.org/PDF/budgetingfinancing/Environmental-accounting.pdf

UNEP: Green Accounting Virtual Resource Center website

www.unep.ch/etb/areas/VRC_index.php

ANNEX 2: PARTICIPANT LIST

Name Agency/Organisation Postal Address Telephone Fax Email Address

Sheldon Michel Ministry of External Affairs, Government of Saint Lucia

Ministry of External Affairs, Internal Trade & Civil Aviation, 5th Floor Bay Walk Mall, Rodney Bay Gros Islet

758 468 4527 758 452 7424 smichel@gosl.gov.lc

Nyasha K. K. Hamilton

Environmental Management Department

Ministry of Health, Wellness and the Environment, 1st Floor Ministerial Building, Kingstown, St. Vincent & The Grenadines

784 485 6992 nyakkh@gmail.com or emdsvg@gmail.com

John Ricky A. Wilson

UNDP Barbados/ OECS

UN House, Marine Gardens, Hastings, Christ Church, Barbados

246 467 6014 246 429 2442 ricky.wilson@undp.org

Felix Finisterre Caribbean Local Economic Development Programme (CARILED)

# 10 Marina Street, Gros Islet, P. O. Box GM 725

758 518 1027/ 458 1054

758 458 1054 fayfin@gmail.com

Goodwin d' Auvergne

Saint Lucia Electricity Services

P. O. Box 230, Castries, Saint Lucia

758 457 4700 gdauvergne@lucelec.com

Ethelmark Durant Ministry of Finance, Government of Barbados

26 West Terrace Gardens, St. James, Barbados

246 310 1311 246 425 1100 mark.durante@barbados.gov.bb / mark_durante@hotmail.com

Name Agency/Organisation Postal Address Telephone Fax Email Address

Winston Moore University of the West Indies, Cave Hill

Department of Economics, UWI, Cave Hill Campus, Bridgetown, Barbados

246 417 4279 246 438 9104 winston.moore@cavehill.uwi.edu

Carol -Anne Blenman

UWI, Cave Hill Campus # 13 Pegwell Park, Christ Church, Barbados

246 269 5622 carolanneblenman@gmail.com

Barrymore Felicien Public Utilities Bridge Street, Castries

758 468 5833 bfelicien@gosl.gov.lc

Hon. Dr. Kenneth Darroux

Ministry of the Environment, Government of Dominica

Government Headquarters, Roseau, Dominica

767 236 3544 767 440 7761 darrouxken@dominica.gov.dm

Philbert Francis Saint Lucia Development Bank

# 4 Bridge Street, Castries, Saint Lucia

758 456 7532 758 453 3839 philbert.francis@slbd.lc

Pamella Thomas Caribbean Farmers Network (CAFAN)

Belmont Development, St. Johns, Antigua

268 770 9871 samoth32@yahoo.com

Noorani Azeez Saint Lucia Hotel & Tourism Association

P. O. Box 193, Castries

758 724 3999 noorani.azeez@slhta.org

Kurt Harris Sir Arthur Lewis Community College

P. O. Box CP 6432, Castries

758 584 0886 kharris@salcc.edu.lc

Dr. Elvis Nurse CDEMA

Building # 1, Manor Lodge Complex, Lodge Hill, St. Michael

246 425 0386 246 425 8854 elvis.nurse@cdema.org

Tighe Geoghegan CANARI 33 St. John Street, Lewes BN7 2 QD, UK

44 1273 477701

tigheg@gmail.com

Name Agency/Organisation Postal Address Telephone Fax Email Address

Anya Thomas CARICOM SECRETARIAT

P. O. Box 10827, Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown, Guyana

592 222 0044 55

anya@caricom.org

Kelvin Sergeant ILO (Caribbean Office) Stanmore Avenue, Port - of - Spain, Trinidad

623 7178 sergeant@ilocarib.org.tt

Peter A. Murray OECS Commission

Social Sustainable Development Division, Morne Fortune, P. O. Box 1383, Castries, Saint Lucia

758 455 6327 ext 6367

pamurray@oecs.org

Enid E. Bissember CARICOM Secretariat

CARICOM Secretariat, Turkeyen, East Coast Demerara, Guyana

592 222001 enidb@caricom.org / enidbis@gmail.com

Bishnu Tulsie Saint Lucia National Trust P. O. Box 595, Castries

758 452 5005 758 453 2791 director@slunatrust.org

Anita James MSDEST P. O. Box 1662, Castries, Saint Lucia

758 519 5923 anitavja@gmail.com

Valarie Leon Min. of Sustainable Development, Government of Saint Lucia

Ministry of Sustainable Development, Energy, Science & Technology Hewanorra House, Trou Garnier, Castries, Saint Lucia

758 468 5851 vleon@gosl.gov.lc

Tim Scott UNDP NY 304 E 45 Street, FF - 908, New York, NY 1135

tim.scott@undp.org

Name Agency/Organisation Postal Address Telephone Fax Email Address

Jannik VAA European Union Hastings, Christ Church BB 15156 Barbados

246 434 8501 / 246 434 8506

246 427 8687 jannik.vaa@eeas.europa.eu

Steven Stone UNEP

International Environment House 11-13 chemin des Anémones CH-1219 Châtelaine (Geneva)

+41 22 917 81 79

steven.stone@unep.org

Rainer Engels GIZ, Barbados Millennium Heights 18 C, Warrens, St. Thomas, Barbados

246 265 2060 rainer.engels@giz.de

Thaddeus Constantin

Min. of Agriculture, Research and Development, Government of Saint Lucia

Min. of Agriculture, C/o Research and Development, Union, Castries, Saint Lucia

758 519 1153 tconstantin@yahoo.com

Kimisha Thomas

Min. of Environment Natural Resources, Physical Planning and Fisheries Environmental Coordinating Unit, Government of Dominica

Environmental Coordinating Unit, Roseau Fisheries Complex, Dame Eugenia Charles Boulevard, Roseau, Commonwealth of Dominica

767 266 5256/ 767 276 6401

767 448 4577 thomaskb@dominica.gov.dm / kimishathomas@gmail.com

Eulampia Polius-Springer

UWI, Open Campus, Saint Lucia

C/o P. O. Box 306, Castries, Saint Lucia

758 452 3865/6

758 452 4080 eulampia.polius@open.uwi.edu

Alwin Hales Min. of Water, Land and Environment, Government of Jamaica

25 Dominica Drive, Kingston 5, Jamaica

876 322 6087 ps@mwlecc@gov.jm

Name Agency/Organisation Postal Address Telephone Fax Email Address

Edwin Laurent 40 Aubyn Square, Roehampton, London, UK

44 7917 664595

edwinlaurent@yahoo.com

Martha J. Arthur UWI St. Augustine 72 Mausica Road D' Abadie, Trinidad and Tobago

868 499 9691 marthajarthur@yahoo.com

Cathy Louis CYEN Saint Lucia P. O. Box 236, Castries, Saint Lucia

758 286 2660 cathy_louis@hotmail.com

Jawahar Narayan Commonwealth, Dept. National Planning

Dept. of National Planning, Government of Saint Lucia, Conway Business Centre, Waterfront, Castries, Saint Lucia

758 468 5856 / 59 4455

758 451 9706 jlnarayan11@gmail.com

Dunley Auguste Saint Lucia Solid Waster Management Authority

P. O. Box CP 5722, Conway Post Office, Castries

758 453 2208 758 453 6856 slugwma@candw.lc

John M. Matuszak World Bank

1818 H Street NW MC 5-227, Washington DC 20433, USA

202 473 8041 jmatuszak@worldbank.org

Adams Toussaint Forestry Department, Government of Saint Lucia

C/o Forestry Department, Castries, Saint Lucia

758 468 5641 758 450 2287 adams.toussaint@govt.lc /toussaintadams@yahoo.com

Wendel Parham

Ministry of Forestry Fisheries and Sustainable Development, Government of Belize

West Block Building, Belmopan, Belize, C. A.

501 822 0810 / 0401

501 822 2394 ceo@ffsd.gov.bz

Name Agency/Organisation Postal Address Telephone Fax Email Address

Sylvester Henry Private Sector Chamber of Commerce/ Windward & Leeward Brewery Ltd

P. O. Box 1271, Castries, Saint Lucia

758 459 6200/ 712 2000

758 451 6333 sylvester.henry@heineken.com

Giles Romulus GEF SGP UNDP C/o P. O. Box 809c, Choc Castries, Saint Lucia

758 452 4900 gilesr@unops.org

Gordon Bispham Caribbean Policy Development Centre

Hallsworth Welches, St. Michael, Barbados

246 437 6055/ 246 844 6013

246 437 3381 cpdc@caribsurf.com / gobisxx@hotmail.com

Simone Lewis

Ministry of Agriculture, Lands, Forestry, Fisheries & Environment, Government of Grenada

Ministerial Complex, Botanical Gardens, St. George's, Grenada

473 440 2708 473 440 4191 simonelewis2011@gmail.com / agriculture@gov.gd

Kemuel Jn. Baptiste

Ministry of Agriculture, Government of Saint Lucia

P. O. Box 568 Gablewoods South, Vieux Fort, Saint Lucia

758 468 4129 / 758 488 2159

ceo@agriculture@govt.lc

Le-Anne Roper Planning Institute of Jamaica

16 Oxford Road, Kinsgton 5, Jamaica

876 935 5051/ 876 426 6682

Le-Anne_Roper@pioj.gov.jm

Sallyane Cotter

Ministry of Sustainable Development, Energy, Science & Technology, Government of Saint Lucia

Hewanorra House, Trou Garnier, Castries, Saint Lucia

758 722 8181 sallyane.cotter@govt.lc

Veetal Rajkumar

Ministry of Natural Resources & the Environment, Government of Guyana

Upper Brickdown, Georgetown, Guyana

592 231 2507 vrajkumar@nre.gov.gy

Garfield Barnwell CARICOM Secretariat Turkeyen, Georgetown, Guyana

592 222 0001/ 675

gbarnwell@caricom.com

Name Agency/Organisation Postal Address Telephone Fax Email Address

Roger Turnquest Ministry of Finance, Government of the Bahamas

West Bay Street, P. O. Box N3017, Nassau, Bahamas

242 702 1568/ 242 565 7632

rogerturnquest@gmail.com

E. Crispin d' Auvergne

Sustainable Development & the Environment Division, Government of Saint Lucia

Ministry of Sustainable Development, Energy, Science & Technology Hewanorra House, Trou Garnier, Castries, Saint Lucia

758 451 8746 cdauvergne@sde.gov.lc

R. Michael Flood Public Utilities Department

Ministry of Sustainable Development, Energy, Science & Technology Hewanorra House, Trou Garnier, Castries, Saint Lucia

758 468 2288 rflood@gosl.gov.lc

Gillian Guthrie

Ministry of Water, Land, Environment and Climate Change, Government of Jamaica

16 A Half Way Tree Road, Kingston 5

876 926 8583 gillian.guthrie@mwlecc.gov.jm

Caroline Eugene

Ministry of Sustainable Development, Energy, Science and Technology, Government of Saint Lucia

Hewanorra House, Trou Garnier, Castries, Saint Lucia

758 468 5801 758 450 1904 caroline.eugene@gmail.com or ceugene@sde.gov.lc

Cletus Springer Department of Sustainable Development, Organisation of American States

1889 F Street NW, Room GSB-710, Washington D.C. 20006 USA

202 370 9084 cspringer@oas.org

Sylvester Clauzel Ministry of Sustainable Ground Floor, ( 758) 468 sylvester.clauzel@govt.lc

Name Agency/Organisation Postal Address Telephone Fax Email Address Development, Energy, Science and Technology

Hewanorra House, Trou Garnier, Castries, Saint Lucia

5840/1

Asad Naqvi UNEP

International Environment House 11-13 chemin des Anémones CH-1219 Châtelaine (Geneva)

+41 22 917 86 20

asad.naqvi@unep.org

Simon Lobach Consultant to UNEP

International Environment House 11-13 chemin des Anémones CH-1219 Châtelaine (Geneva)

+41 22 917 84 29

simon.lobach@unep.org

65

ANNEX 3: CHAIRMAN'S SUMMARY

Regional Conference on

Green Economy as a Vehicle for Sustainable Development

and Poverty Eradication in the Caribbean

4-6 June 2013

Saint Lucia

Chairman’s Summary

The Caribbean Green Economy Conference 2013, entitled Green Economy as a Vehicle for

Sustainable Development and Poverty Eradication in the Caribbean, took stock of the

impressive individual and collective efforts in the region to advance the sustainable development

agenda through the application of green economy principles, policies and practices. Of note are

efforts in energy, agriculture, tourism, biodiversity conservation, employment generation,

poverty reduction and green investment promotion. The creation of Ministries with

responsibility for sustainable development and environment is seen as a positive step, as is the

emergence of long term national development plans and vision statements.

The discussions highlighted significant challenges in advancing sustainable development and

poverty reduction, especially fiscal constraints, high debt burdens, lack of green public sector

investments, increasing costs of disaster response, as well as the volatility and unpredictability of

energy and food import bills. The challenges are compounded by a weak investment climate,

particularly in green initiatives, high levels of poverty and unemployment, and natural resource

degradation, which combined threaten development and its sustainability.

One of the challenges the region is facing in its transition to a green economy is to redefine or

redirect, as the case may be, the development planning and investment decisions so as to ensure

it places human development at the centre of the effort. Furthermore, green economy calls for

such decisions to be based on the principles of inclusion, cooperation, integration and ecological

sustainability. Adequate public, private and donor funding for development and capacity

developed at all levels, needs to be assured, to advance green economy principles and approaches

in the region’s development agenda.

The conference noted that effective merging of growth with sustainability needs support in a

number of areas, including, but not limited to, articulated political commitment, private sector

and civil society buy-in, evidence-based policy formulation, regional coordination and sharing

of experiences, capacity building, and adequate levels of public, private and donor funding.

The conference noted that Green Economy approaches are not prescriptive and provide space to

build on national and regional realities in pursuit of balanced and sustainable human-centred

development. Green economy analysis must be aimed at improving fiscal performance and trade

competitiveness in order to release funding for social and environmental development

66

investments. In this regard, investments in disaster mitigation, renewable energy, import

substitution for food, and building resilience are seen as smart investments for the long term

release of capital for development. Capacity to pursue sustainable development based on

ecological sustainability must be developed systematically at the individual, institutional and

regional levels. New measures of development and wealth creation based on robust research and

data analysis are needed, as is the need to promote evidence-based policy and programme

formulation. In this regard, centres of excellence to promote green economy solutions will help

advance regional sustainable development, facilitate the exchange of ideas and best practices,

and measure progress.

An enabling climate to support private sector investments must be created and innovative ways

to raise investment capital should be explored. A concerted effort is needed to secure the

indispensable support of the private sector and civil society to pursue green living, and to engage

them in the monitoring and feedback processes. In this context, investments which demonstrate

the utility of ecologically balanced development will go a long way in securing this support.

There is an urgent need to engage governments, development financing institutions and the

donor community to make long term commitments to fund green initiatives, investment and

research.

The key messages that emanated from the high level segment of the conference include:

The goals of the Caribbean Green Economy Initiative are of continued relevance to the

development agenda of the region and should be pursued.

Green Economy can lead, foster and stimulate economic activity, wealth creation, green

and better jobs, improved ecosystems and natural resources, and improved human

wellbeing . It also offers opportunities for diversification of economy.

There is already much interest from the general public in the Green Economy, but

effective support and information campaigns are required to build upon it. It is noted that

politicians follow where the public goes.

The CARICOM Secretariat’s role in championing the Green Economy Initiative at the

highest levels of the Community’s intergovernmental processes is a key ingredient for

ensuring its success. In this context, the identification or emergence of a regional

Ministerial champion to catalyze regional actions is highly desirable.

A common regional policy framework on green economy may facilitate and support

national level efforts.

Regardless of support from external drivers, delivering green economy solutions to

national development challenges will require national ministerial and technical level

champions, political commitment and processes to promote the integration of green

67

economy solutions at the national policy making, development planning and programme

design levels.

There was a strong recommendation to expand the conversation about the Green

Economy to a wider audience that includes all relevant stakeholders, especially in the

economic and finance directorates and communities. Their full inclusion would ensure

coherence in policy formulation and planning, and more broad-based support for this

transformative pathway to sustainable development.

Participants welcomed the support of UNEP and of the European Union in supporting the project

entitled “Advancing Caribbean States’ Sustainable Development Agenda through Green

Economy Policies”, under which this conference was organized, and it looks forward to

continued support from them and other development partners to advance the green economy

agenda in the region from the policy to implementation stage.