Country: World Source: Caribbean Community Secretariat Climate change is a top priority for CARICOM Member States, requiring a comprehensive and multifaceted approach, according to Ambassador David Prendergast, Director, Sectoral Programmes at the CARICOM Secretariat.He reiterated the Region’s position at the 2025 Wet/Hurricane Season Caribbean Climate Outlook Forum which was held in St. George’s, Grenada, 22-23 May. The Climate Institute of Meteorology and Hydrology (CIMH), a CARICOM Institution, organised the Forum with support from its partners.The event was held as the Region continues preparations for the 2025 hurricane season which is forecast to be above average.Ambassador Prendergast said that the presentations at the forum were comprehensive, detailed and informative, providing important perspectives and planning tools for the season.“The two key takeaway messages from my presentation today are that:Climate change is of highest priority for CARICOM Member States;The response and approach to the climate crisis is complex and multi-faceted, its coordination is not centered in any one institution – hence the value of being here today with all key partners and stakeholders.“We are, indeed, in this together,” he told participants at the Forum.Please read Ambassador Prendergast’s presentation below:Representatives of the Government of Grenada;Mr. Adrian Trotman and Team, CIMH;Representatives from CARICOM Member States, other States, stakeholders, media;Representatives of all Regional Institutions and Partner institutionsLadies and gentlemen,At the outset, as a first-time participant, I will not hesitate to emphasize the value of this collaborative exercise for the Region, given the indisputable importance of planning, forecasting taking into account our vulnerabilities, particularly as Small Island Development States, and the implications of the weather and other climate related events for our Region. The presentations at this Forum have been comprehensive, detailed and informative and have provided important perspectives and planning tools for the Season ahead. We commend the CIMH and partners for continuing to execute this critical exercise.The two key takeaway messages from my presentation today are that:Climate Change is of highest priority for CARICOM Member States;The response and approach to the climate crisis is complex and multi-faceted, its coordination is not centered in any one institution – hence the value of being here today with all key partners and stakeholders.We are, indeed, in this together.CARICOM, specifically the Secretariat, coordinates climate change response through several key mechanisms:Political coordination and Governance MechanismsThe Secretariat works closely with the Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre (CCCCC), which has the mandate to coordinate the Region’s position on climate change, and with other Regional Institutions, to provide support and coordination to Member States as they prepare for the Conference of the Parties. 5Cs will also make a short presentation following my presentation.Activities include capacity building workshops, preparatory workshops for negotiators (typically 2 in a year), high-level dialogues and endorsements of negotiating positions by the Council for Trade and Economic Development (COTED) and Heads of Government ( which are enshrined in the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas), Briefings and Caucuses coordinated during COP, and post-COP debriefings before repeating the process the following year.The Community has understood the need for continuous and sustained high-level engagements in sync with, and complementary to, technical preparatory processes. This has effectively been done by identifying political champions from the Member States to represent CARICOM on key negotiating issues.Likewise, CARICOM Heads of Government have signaled their leadership by making Climate Change a standing agenda item at Regular Meetings of the Conference of Heads of Government, which occur twice per year. In the CARICOM Heads of Government quasi-cabinet structure, the Prime Minister of Saint Lucia has lead responsibility for Sustainable Development, inclusive of climate change and, in that capacity, chairs the Prime Ministerial Sub-Committee on Climate Change (PMSC).Despite the arrangements in place to secure ongoing engagement on the complex set of global climate change deliberations, there are often insufficient resources to facilitate consistent ministerial representation by the Region in key discussions.To further bolster high-level advocacy, CARICOM Heads of Government at their Forty-Sixth Regular Meeting held in February 2024 in Georgetown, Guyana, agreed that the appointment of a CARICOM Envoy on Climate Change, Dr. James Fletcher, aligns with the prioritisation of climate change at the top of the CARICOM Development Agenda and will enable climate change perspectives to be articulated at a high level through all facets of the Community’s undertakings.Technical CoordinationThe updated CARICOM Regional Framework for Climate Resilience serves as a comprehensive strategy for guiding the Caribbean region in adapting to and mitigating climate change impacts. It emphasizes political coordination through bodies like the Council for Trade and Economic Development (COTED) and promotes governance measures such as regional partnerships with organizations like CDEMA, CIMH, and United Nations agencies.CARICOM focuses on policy development to help Member States integrate climate change considerations into national strategies while strengthening data management systems for informed decision-making. Regional mechanisms are being established to enhance resilience at both national and regional levels, aligning with strategic priorities.The Framework also prioritizes project development and implementation through the CCCCC, which leads initiatives for climate adaptation and mitigation. Efforts include capacity building, raising public awareness, and securing international climate finance to support actions across CARICOM nations.Additionally, CARICOM facilitates engagement in global climate processes and negotiations under the UNFCCC to ensure the region’s interests are represented. By combining technical coordination, regional partnerships, financial access, and policy mainstreaming, the Framework sets a robust foundation for long-term climate resilience in the Caribbean community.The revised framework 2025-2035 underwent intense review by and consultation with Member States and regional stakeholders. It was endorsed by Ministers of Environment at the 118th Special COTED, 30 April 2025. It is now cleared to be presented to Heads of Government since the original strategy was approved by Heads.Resource Mobilisation, Project Development and ImplementationThere are two specific aspects of mobilizing financial support:1. Donor engagement; and2. Project development.Donor EngagementA key function of the CARICOM Secretariat is engagement with third States and international Partners to communicate aid and intervention priorities to the Community. In almost every engagement with donors (countries, funding agencies, philanthropic), climate change is a top priority for donor support in terms of energy transition, climate adaptation, early warning etc.The Secretariat therefore helps to coordinate and to set the tone for interventions in the region before partners engage directly with Member States and Regional InstitutionsProject DevelopmentThe CCCCC plays a crucial role in developing and implementing climate change adaptation and mitigation projects across the region.Capacity Building and Awareness: CARICOM coordinates initiatives to build technical capacity within member states and raise public awareness about climate change issues.Securing Climate Finance: CARICOM, through the CCCCC, works to enhance access to international climate finance mechanisms to support regional and national climate action.Engagement in International Processes: CARICOM coordinates the region’s engagement in global climate change negotiations and agreements under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).Sectoral Coordination Efforts (non-exhaustive)CARICOM Energy PolicyThe CARICOM Energy Policy plays a pivotal role in the region’s response to the climate crisis by promoting a fundamental transformation of the energy sector across its Member States. Consideration is currently being given to undertaking an update/revision of the Policy.At its core, the policy aims to ensure secure, sustainable, and affordable energy access while minimizing environmental impact. It emphasizes the diversification of energy sources, particularly through the accelerated deployment of renewable and clean energy technologies.This shift not only reduces dependence on fossil fuels but also aligns with global climate goals by lowering greenhouse gas emissions. The policy also supports energy efficiency and conservation across all sectors, including transportation, and encourages the development of regional energy trade and infrastructure.In addition to technical and infrastructural goals, the CARICOM Energy Policy fosters institutional and human capacity building to support a resilient energy transition. It outlines strategies for increasing investment in renewable energy, enhancing technology transfer, and establishing emissions targets with corresponding mitigation actions.These efforts are guided by the Caribbean Sustainable Energy Roadmap and Strategy (C-SERMS), which provides a framework for implementing regional energy goals. By setting ambitious targets—such as achieving 47% electricity generation from renewables by 2027—the policy positions CARICOM as a proactive player in climate adaptation and mitigation, particularly important for its vulnerable small island and low-lying coastal states.Climate Smart AgricultureCARICOM’s Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA) initiatives are central to the region’s strategy for building resilience in the face of climate change. Recognizing the vulnerability of its agriculture-dependent economies, CARICOM is seeking to address CSA to enhance food security, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and improve the livelihoods of rural communities.A key flagship approach is the “25 by 2025” initiative, which aims to reduce the region’s food import bill by 25% by the year 2025. This strategy integrates climate adaptation and mitigation through the promotion of sustainable farming practices, investment in agricultural research and innovation, the development of climate-resilient crops and infrastructure, youth engagement, Agri-insurance and focus on the reduction and removal of barriers to trade.In addition to regional strategies, CARICOM supports national adaptation planning and has secured significant funding—such as the US$6.73 million from the Green Climate Fund—for climate resilience projects in member states like The Bahamas and St. Kitts and Nevis. These projects focus on strengthening institutional frameworks, improving access to climate finance, and expanding the use of technologies that support CSA. Through these efforts, CARICOM is working to transform its agricultural systems into more adaptive, productive, and environmentally sustainable models.CARIBSMART- Maritime Climate ResilienceThe CARIBSMART (Sustainable Maritime Transport in the Caribbean) programme is a regional initiative designed to enhance climate resilience and sustainability in the maritime sector of Caribbean Small Island Developing States (SIDS). Funded by the Government of Norway and supported by the International Maritime Organization (IMO), the programme aims to help the region “build back better” following the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.CARIBSMART focuses on developing a SMART (Sustainable Maritime Transport) system that ensures the safe, secure, efficient, and environmentally responsible movement of goods and people across the Caribbean. This includes reducing pollution, improving energy efficiency, and conserving marine and coastal resources.CARICOM’s approach to the IMO shipping decarbonization negotiations has been marked by a significant transformation from fragmented representation to a more cohesive and influential force. Initially, the Caribbean region’s presence at the IMO was minimal, with only a few member states participating in critical meetings.Recognizing the need for stronger representation, led by the Belize Port Authority, United Nations Foundation, and University College London an important coalition was formed. This was joined by several Caribbean countries, and the established Caribbean Shipping Lanes Project[1] – focused on building technical and diplomatic skills necessary for effective negotiation. Pre-negotiation sessions and technical support from regional experts helped align positions and forge alliances, particularly with Pacific states, to advocate for a just and equitable transition in shipping decarbonization.Leading up to the 83rd Meeting of the IMO’s Marine Environmental Pollution Committee (MEPC 83) meeting, CARICOM’s strategy centered on advocating universal carbon levy and stringent fuel standards. The region emphasized the importance of generating revenue to support capacity building, food security, and addressing the needs of disproportionately impacted regions. Despite the final agreement adopting a more complex two-tier system combining pricing, incentives, and compliance flexibility, CARICOM played a pivotal role in shaping the design of the world’s first global emissions pricing mechanism for shipping. The region’s efforts ensured that equity and the needs of Small Island Developing States (SIDS) were central to the negotiations.At MEPC 83, CARICOM’s coordinated efforts culminated in the approval of the Net-Zero Framework, which includes stringent GHG fuel intensity targets and a system for rewarding the use of zero and near-zero emission fuels. The framework also establishes the IMO Net-Zero Fund to support a just and equitable transition, with specific provisions for food security and technical cooperation. While the final outcome fell short of the region’s high ambition, CARICOM’s voice was instrumental in anchoring equity in the global conversation on shipping emissions, marking a historic milestone in the region’s engagement at the IMO.[1] The Project offers technical and legal support to Caribbean nations, assisting them in understanding and participating in international maritime regulations, particularly those related to emissions reduction.