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Minister of Water, Environment and Climate Change, Hon. Matthew Samuda, provides an update on the Government’s drought-mitigation strategies at Wednesday’s (September 30) Post Cabinet Press Briefing held at Jamaica House.

Water Parties Using Private Sources Not Illegal Under Prohibition Orders— Minister Samuda

Minister of Water, Environment and Climate Change, Hon. Matthew Samuda has clarified that the current water prohibition orders only apply to water sourced from the National Water Commission (NWC) and do not legally bar the use of privately procured water...

Significant Investments to Safeguard Public Beach Access

Minister of Water, Environment and Climate Change, Hon. Matthew Samuda, speaking at the Solutions Dialogue on Ocean Action and Leadership at the United Nations (UN) Headquarters in New York, on September 22.

Minister Calls for Simpler Ocean Governance System

A large group of volunteers participate in a clean-up of the Rocky Point Beach in St. Thomas on September 19.

Jamaicans Urged to Clean the Beaches Regularly

Director, Regional Education Services, Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information, Otis Brown (second left), in discussion with (from left) Technical Specialist, Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ), Kimberley Wellington; Principal of Tavares Gardens Primary School, Terriann Nisbeth; Chief Executive Officer, Jamaica Environment Trust, Dr. Theresa Rodriguez-Moodie, and Chairman, Violence Prevention Alliance (VPA), Dr. Elizabeth Ward, during the official launch of the 2026-2027 Trees for Peace Competition on Monday (September 21) at Tavares Gardens Primary School in Kingston.

Violence Prevention Alliance Launches Trees for Peace Competition

Environmental Coordinator at the Urban Development Corporation (UDC), Lori-Ann Harris (right), explains the registration process to volunteers participating in the UDC’s International Coastal Cleanup Day activity at New Forum Fishing Beach in Portmore, St. Catherine, on Saturday (September 19). At centre is Strategic Analyst at the UDC, Euwan McKnolly.

2 weeks ago Environment

PHOTOS: UDC International Coastal Cleanup Day Activity

Environmental Coordinator at the Urban Development Corporation (UDC), Lori-Ann Harris (right), explains the registration process to volunteers participating in the UDC’s International Coastal Cleanup Day activity at New Forum Fishing Beach in Portmore, St. Catherine, on Saturday (September 19). At centre is Strategic Analyst at the UDC, Euwan McKnolly.

Minister of Water, Environment and Climate Change, Hon. Matthew Samuda (foreground), along with personnel from the National Water Commission (NWC), tours the Monroe Road-Wellington-Old Hope Road-Seaview pipeline and sewerage expansion project, on Tuesday (September 1).

1 month ago Climate ChangeEnvironmentWater

Cabinet Approves Additional $500 Million to Strengthen Response to Drought

Minister of Water, Environment and Climate Change, Hon. Matthew Samuda, says Cabinet has approved an additional $500 million to strengthen the Government’s response to the ongoing drought affecting communities across Jamaica. Mr. Samuda, who was speaking during a tour of the Monroe Road-Wellington-Old Hope Road-Seaview pipeline and sewer expansion project on Tuesday (September 1), said the allocation is intended to...

Divers deploy collection nets over coral colonies during a coral spawning event in Discovery Bay in 2024. The activity formed part of a CoralCarib Project training initiative, led by The Nature Conservancy (TNC) and the Alligator Head Foundation (AHF), to equip marine protected area managers with the skills and resources needed to conduct assisted fertilisation and support coral reef restoration efforts.

1 month ago Environment

NEPA Begins Coral Spawning Observation Dives

The National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA) will begin a series of coral spawning observation dives across four marine ecosystems tonight (August 31), as part of its Coral Reef Awareness Month activities. The annual observance, which runs throughout September, is aimed at increasing public awareness of the vital role coral reefs play in supporting marine life, sustaining fisheries, protecting coastlines...

Principal Director at the Meteorological Service of Jamaica, Evan Thompson, delivers remarks during the Common Alerting Protocol (CAP) Workshop, held recently at the Courtleigh Hotel and Suites in New Kingston.

1 month ago Climate ChangeEnvironment

Met Service Head Emphasises Need for Expanded Early-Warning System

Principal Director at the Meteorological Service of Jamaica (Met Service), Evan Thompson, has emphasised the need to expand the island’s public alerting capabilities into a fully integrated, multi-agency framework. He made the call while speaking during the two-day Common Alerting Protocol (CAP) Workshop, held recently at the Courtleigh Hotel and Suites in New Kingston. Mr. Thompson reflected on Jamaica’s more...

Principal Director of the Meteorological Service of Jamaica, Evan Thompson (right), makes a point during a discussion with (from left) Director General of the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM), Commander Alvin Gayle; Science and Technology Officer at the Caribbean Meteorological Organization (CMO), Kenneth Kerr; and Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Water, Environment and Climate Change, Wayne Robertson. The occasion was the Common Alerting Protocol (CAP) Workshop, held at the Courtleigh Hotel and Suites in New Kingston on Thursday (August 27).

1 month ago Climate ChangeEnvironmentWater

Jamaica Moves to Strengthen Disaster Early Warning Capacity

The Ministry of Water, Environment and Climate Change has reaffirmed its commitment to protecting citizens through the enhancement of multi-hazard early warning systems. Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Wayne Robertson, reaffirmed the commitment during the Common Alerting Protocol (CAP) Workshop, held at the Courtleigh Hotel and Suites in New Kingston on Thursday (August 27). He emphasised that the warning systems...

Commanding Officer for the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) St. Catherine North Division, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Hopton Nicholson, addresses attendees during the launch of the St. John’s Heights Neighbourhood Watch in St. Catherine on Sunday (August 23).

1 month ago Economic Growth & Infrastructure DevelopmentEnvironment

NEPA Receives 2,430 Development Applications in 2025

The National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA) received a total of 2,430 development applications in 2025. This information is contained in the Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ) Economic and Social Survey Jamaica 2025. The report noted that the total number of applications processed was 2,394, a decrease of 4.3 per cent from the 2,501 applications processed in 2024. “However, the...

Minister of Water, Environment and Climate Change, Hon. Matthew Samuda, responds to questions during a Ministerial Interview at the Ministry’s office on Half-Way Tree Road in St. Andrew on Wednesday (August 12).

2 months ago Climate ChangeEnvironmentInformationWater

Gov’t Exploring Potential Desalination Projects

Minister of Water, Environment and Climate Change, Hon. Matthew Samuda, has indicated that feasibility studies are being conducted in St. Thomas and Clarendon to assess the viability of potential desalination projects. Desalination is the process of removing salt and other minerals from seawater to produce freshwater suitable for drinking, agriculture and industrial use. Responding to questions during a Ministerial Interview...