Climate Change Pilot Programme to Increase Awareness

Jamaica’s capacity to mitigate the effects of climate change is expected to be enhanced with the provision of US$4 million in grant funding under the Pilot Programme for Climate Resilience.

This is an initiative aimed at increasing resilience to climate change effects at the national and regional levels.

Minister of Water, Land, Environment and Climate Change, Hon. Robert Pickersgill made the announcement during his contribution to the 2014/15 Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives on Tuesday, June 3.

The funding will be provided by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and the World Bank, through Climate Investment Funds (CIF) to implement activities under the programme.

Mr. Pickersgill said his Ministry will have responsibility for implementing several components of the programme, including: the upgrading of national equipment and systems for improved collection; processing of data; and more accurate forecasting of hydro-meteorological events, including extreme weather.

Under the programme, the Ministry will also work to increase public awareness of climate change impacts, and promote behaviour change amongst low-income men and women, small-scale subsistence farmers and fishers, and through curriculum development in the education system.

Another component of the programme involves integrating climate change considerations in development planning processes, plans and policies.