Climate Change and Resiliency in the Caribbean
Experts Warn of Worsening Climate Impacts
At the launch of “Islands All In for GST 2023”, experts delivered powerful facts on the worsening climate impacts on the Caribbean, revealing how the United Nations process, the Global Stocktake, can enhance regional resiliency to extreme events.
Trinidad and Tobago Warming at an Alarming Rate
Trinidad and Tobago is warming 2.5 times faster than the global average, according to statistical data. With similar trends across the Caribbean, this is a growing crisis which poses a severe threat to sustainable development in our region. Without urgent course-correction on climate change and adaptation to its effects, the Caribbean will face worsening loss and infrastructural and environmental degradation.
Climate Analytics Caribbean Event Highlights Regional Concerns
This was the stark message coming from the Climate Analytics Caribbean event, “Islands All In for GST 2023”, which commemorated Earth Day and raised awareness of the United Nations climate change process, the Global Stocktake. The event featured a special selection of Caribbean short films in partnership with the Green Screen Environmental Film Festival, the only sustainability-themed film festival in the Caribbean.
Presenters Warn of Catastrophic Consequences
Presenters gave profound warnings on the losses the Caribbean will experience above a 1.5 °C warming limit, noting that natural wonders and essential ecosystems we enjoy today such as coral reefs may soon be a thing of the past, with catastrophic consequences.
Trinidad and Tobago’s Commitment to Climate Action
“In Trinidad and Tobago, every single year since 1986 has been warmer than the 1961-1991 climatological average,” said Kalain Hosein, Multimedia Journalist. “Trinidad and Tobago has warmed at a rate of 0.24C per decade since 1946. The last two decades have been the hottest on record. The trend is clear. We are getting hotter, faster, with decreased rainfall, causing alarming knock-on effects to public health, agriculture, energy consumption and more. This is not good news for our country.”
Global Stocktake: A Critical Opportunity for Climate Action
With the Caribbean on the frontlines of the climate crisis, the Global Stocktake (GST) presents a critical opportunity for countries to implement initiatives to reduce emissions, and for our region and other small island developing states to receive much-needed financial and technological support to adjust and adapt to climate impacts.
Trinidad and Tobago’s Nationally Determined Contributions
“Trinidad and Tobago’s NDCs address emissions in the Power Generation and Transportation sectors and is perhaps the most ambitious NDC in the region,” stated Kishan Kumarsingh, Head, Multilateral Environmental Agreements at the Ministry of Planning and Development, Trinidad and Tobago. “It also contains an unconditional commitment to reduce emissions in the public transportation sector. The approach is to develop the requisite policy, legislative, institutional and administrative enabling environment to facilitate ambitious climate action as a holistic approach.”
Implementing Climate Action
Kumarsingh noted that Trinidad and Tobago is “walking the talk”, with work such as:
- Development of a utility-scale solar plant to generate approximately 112 MW of power, with ambition to increase capacity to 30% by 2030.
- Procurement of 240 electric buses to further reduce emissions from the CNG initiative.
- Development of a green hydrogen roadmap, with assessment on the feasibility of wind power both onshore and offshore to power the green hydrogen economy.
both onshore and offshore to power the green hydrogen economy.
- Development of a net zero plan consistent with the Paris Agreement to identify additional emissions reductions opportunities and actions to raise mitigation ambition.
- Development of a carbon pricing and carbon trading policy.
Conclusion
As Rueanna Haynes, Director of Climate Analytics Caribbean, emphasized, “We still have time to turn the ship around – the Global Stocktake can help get us there. Technological solutions and know-how already exist to put us on the pathway that will avoid the worst and most dangerous climate impacts. This global moment is designed to help us understand in more precise terms the gaps that exist. Showcase the solutions that are already being deployed. Secure real political commitment for cooperation to go further, faster. All based on equity and the best available science.”
FAQs
Q: What is the Global Stocktake?
A: The Global Stocktake is a critical moment for international transparency and accountability, where countries will assess their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and report on their progress towards achieving them.
Q: What is the significance of Trinidad and Tobago’s Nationally Determined Contributions?
A: Trinidad and Tobago’s NDCs are considered one of the most ambitious in the region, with a focus on reducing emissions in the Power Generation and Transportation sectors, and an unconditional commitment to reduce emissions in the public transportation sector.
Q: What are the key takeaways from the Climate Analytics Caribbean event?
A: The event highlighted the urgent need for climate action in the Caribbean, with experts warning of catastrophic consequences if urgent course-correction is not taken. The event also showcased Trinidad and Tobago’s commitment to climate action, with a focus on implementing initiatives to reduce emissions and develop a net zero plan consistent with the Paris Agreement.
Photo: Presenters Kalain Hosein, Multimedia Journalist and Founder of the Trinidad and Tobago Weather Center; Rueanna Haynes, Director, Climate Analytics Caribbean; Kishan Kumarsingh, Head, Multilateral Environmental Agreements at the Ministry of Planning and Development Ministry of Planning and Development.