The Government plans to establish a River Management Authority and a Cays Management Authority within the National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA). This was announced by Minister of Water, Environment and Climate Change, Hon. Matthew Samuda, during his contribution to the 2026/27 Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives on Tuesday (April 28). The River Management Authority will focus on...

The Government will finalise the designation of five new protected areas across the country by March 2027. Minister of Water, Environment and Climate Change, Hon. Matthew Samuda, noted that these areas will include Bengal in St. Ann, the Negril Environmental Protection Area spanning Hanover and Westmoreland, Long Mountain in St. Andrew, Montpelier in St. James, and Canoe Valley in Clarendon...

There has been a major community cleanup and beautification project in Hoist Brissett, Hanover, underscoring the importance of partnership between the National Solid Waste Management Authority (NSWMA) and residents in maintaining a clean and sustainable environment. The initiative, led by the NSWMA through its regional arm, WPM Waste Management Limited, formed part of the activities to observe Earth Day on...

The HEART/NSTA Trust is strengthening Jamaica’s capacity to safely manage refrigerants, through expanded training and certification programmes delivered at Refrigerant Recovery, Recycling, and Reclamation (RRR&R) Centres established across multiple institutions. With HEART hosting four of seven Centres across the island, Director/Principal of the HEART College of Construction Services, O’Neil James, said the initiative forms part of the second stage of...

Jamaica is making significant strides in protecting the ozone layer and combatting climate change, achieving a 96 per cent phase-out of hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) and fully eliminating chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs). Speaking on refrigerant recovery and recycling initiatives at a JIS Think Tank on April 21, Manager of the National Ozone Unit and National Ozone Officer at the National Environment and Planning Agency...

A major reforestation push, aimed at restoring hurricane-impacted landscapes and strengthening climate resilience, is being intensified under the national Reforestation, Ecological Enhancement and Landscape Framework (RE-LEAF) Programme, with approximately 300,000 seedlings targeted for planting this year. The initiative, led by the Forestry Department in partnership with the Sandals Foundation, was advanced through a tree planting exercise at the Bogue II...

Managing Director of the Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF), Omar Sweeney, has indicated that the establishment of greenhouses or sheltered infrastructure at scale is one of the outcomes that will be pursued under the US$50-million Project ADAPT. JSIF is the main implementing agency for the Green Climate Fund (GCF) project, which aims to enhance climate resilience of vulnerable farmers and...