Island-Wide Consultations on Jamaica’s Climate Change Policy Framework and Action Plan

The islands of the Caribbean are extremely vulnerable to climate change. If the transshipment port at Goat Island in the Portland Bight Protected Area of Jamaica is built, another natural defense against hurricanes, storm surge and even tsunami will be removed (the thick mangrove barrier that surrounds Goat Islands).

If you are in Jamaica, play your part by joining the Jamaican Government’s public consultations on its Climate Change Policy Framework and Action Plan. Make your voice heard. It’s your future, the future of Jamaica and ultimately of the planet.

The Ministry of Water, Land, Environment and Climate Change will be undertaking island-wide consultations on Green Paper 1/2013 on the Climate Change Policy Framework and Action Plan. The draft Policy and Action Plan was tabled in the Houses of Parliament in November 2013 and is now open for public consultations.

The Ministry invites you to a multi-stakeholder consultation on the draft Policy and Action Plan to be held on (attend the event which is most convenient):

Friday, 14th February, 2014 at 2:00 p.m. at the St. Mary Parish Church, Port Maria, St. Mary.
or
Tuesday, 18th February, 2014 at 9:30 a.m. at the Sharon Baptist Church, Santa Cruz, St. Elizabeth.
or
Wednesday, 19th February, 2014 at 9:30 a.m. at The Wexford Hotel, Montego Bay, St. James.
or
Thursday, 20th February, 2014 at 5:30 p.m. at the Pegasus Hotel, New Kingston.

These consultation meetings are aimed at targeting stakeholders in all the parishes across Jamaica. The objective is to obtain comments and recommendations on the existing draft Climate Change Policy Framework and Action Plan which will inform the preparation of the White Paper. The Policy will, inter alia, guide national actions towards climate change adaptation and mitigation.

In addition, the Ministry would welcome written comments on the Green Paper which is available at this Ministry’s website at http://www.mwlecc.gov.jm/. Comments should be submitted no later than 28th February, 2014.

Please share the information with interested persons and help the MWLECC to reach as many individuals as possible. The Ministry anticipates your participation.

MWLECC Home
www.mwlecc.gov.jm

Portland Bight, in southern Jamaica, was designated a Wetland of International Importance on World Wetland Day, February 2, 2006. The Jamaican Government is now seriously considering a demand from Chinese investors to build a transshipment port in the area, which is protected by law and includes recently established fish sanctuaries. (Photo: Gleaner)