Dominica benefits from $15 million Japan climate change partnership

DOMINICA:  Dominica is the first of eight Caribbean countries to participate in a Japan funded Climate Change Partnership.
The Government of Japan has provided financial and technical support for the Japan Caribbean Climate Change Partnership under the United Nations Development Program, (UNDP), and sub-regional office for Barbados.
The project aims to support countries in the process of inclusive low emissions risk resilient development by improving energy security and integrating medium to long term planning for adaptation to climate change.
The project was launched on Friday April 8^th.
Project Manager, Yoko Ebisawa said, “Interventions under the project include supporting policy innovation through the development of a number of nationally appropriate mitigation action and national adaptation plans. In addition implementing actually technology that is both low emission and advances climate risk management including demonstration in target countries. I hope that this project will help the people of Dominica to reduce tragedies and build resilience for adaptation to climate change in the country.”
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health and Environment, Helen Royer says the project is in keeping with the already established objectives to accelerate global action that threatens the well-being of society.
The project will capitalize on associated opportunities in the context of achieving sustainable socio-economic growth especially in developed and least developed countries.
“The project is focused on three main outcomes with an emphasis on water resource management, sustainable agriculture, community based climate smart resilient infrastructure and renewable energy and energy efficiency. We are pleased with the discussions held yesterday with other stakeholders who have given their support to the eight pilot projects identified,” she said.
Hon Minister for Health and Environment, Dr. Kenneth Darroux says discussions have already begun for a steering committee to effectively and efficiently execute the project.
“I can assure the Government of Japan and the UNDP regional office that we will ensure a timely and seamless implementation of the activities approved under this project. The Cabinet has endorsed the 10 member steering committee and we look forward to receiving the actual projects and interventions for consideration as we are confident that they will go a long way to building resilience in this extremely vulnerable country of ours.”
He says a number of projects are already under consideration for climate risk reduction.
“Up scaling and expanding the renewable energy in the Kalinago Territory, up scaling of the Morne Prosper women agriculture production, retrofitting the Grandbay Community Centre, developing the new Dubique resettlement model community, upgrading the Bagatelle water catchment area and retrofitting the Morne Rachette Community Centre. We look forward to the swift implementation of the project.”
The other countries to participate in the partnership are Belize, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines and Suriname.