Ministers responsible for the environment within the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) are grappling with critical issues such as climate change, biodiversity threats, economic instability from external shocks, and limited institutional and financial capacities.
These concerns were underscored during the 112th Special Meeting of the Council for Trade and Economic Development on The Environment and Sustainable Development, which was held virtually on May 15, 2024.
The meeting, chaired by Hon. Pennelope Beckles-Robinson, Minister of Planning and Development of Trinidad and Tobago, centered on topics including the upcoming Fourth Conference of Small Island Developing States (SIDS4), environmental governance, climate change, disaster risk reduction, plastic pollution, and the new agreement under the Law of the Sea on Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ).
In her opening remarks, Minister Beckles-Robinson emphasized the region’s reliance on marine resources and healthy ecosystems, which are increasingly threatened by climate change, biodiversity loss, and plastic pollution. She highlighted that the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of Small Island Developing States (SIDS) is significantly larger than their land masses, making marine resources vital for their economies.
Minister Beckles-Robinson also noted that robust ecosystems help mitigate costs associated with climate change, soil erosion, pollution, and natural disasters. However, these resources face significant threats from climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution.
She also highlighted the region's challenges, including limited institutional capacity and financial resources, and its vulnerability to external factors.
Joseph Cox, CARICOM Assistant Secretary-General for Economic Integration, Innovation, and Development, spoke about environmental threats and supply chain crises, stressing the need for global cooperation. He pointed to the upcoming 29th Meeting of the Conference of Parties (COP29) and its focus on establishing a new global finance goal to assist developing countries in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and adapting to extreme weather impacts.
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