The Ministry of Housing, Urban Renewal, Environment and Climate Change is encouraging citizens to participate in the National Tree Planting Initiative being executed by the Forestry Department. “The Government is encouraging every Jamaican man, woman, child – everyone – to plant a tree, whether inland or on the coast. It is a very simple but important activity,” Minister Charles told...

Minister of Housing, Urban Renewal, Environment and Climate Change, Hon. Pearnel Charles Jr., says the National Tree Planting Initiative is on track with more than 730,000 seedlings planted and distributed as at the beginning of September 2021. “The initiative is aimed at planting three million trees over a three-year period and was launched by the  Prime Minister, the Most Hon....

Regional planning for forest-cover protection is important, says Principal Director, Forest Science and Technology Services Division, Forestry Department, Donna Lowe. Speaking in a recent interview with JIS News about the country’s hosting of the 32nd meeting of the Latin American and Caribbean Forestry Commission (LACFC), Ms. Lowe explained why such a meeting is important for both Jamaica and the region...

Jamaica is on target to successfully complete the European Union (EU) budget support programme, ‘Addressing Environmental and Climate Change Challenges through Improved Forest Management for Jamaica’, next year. The announcement was made by Minister of Housing, Urban Renewal, Environment and Climate Change, Hon. Pearnel Charles Jr., during his address at the 32nd meeting of the Latin American and Caribbean Forestry...

Jamaica has been elected unopposed as Chair of the Latin American and Caribbean Forestry Commission (LACFC) for the next two years. This was at the 32nd LACFC meeting, which is being held virtually from September 6 to 10. Chief Executive Officer of the Forestry Department and Conservator of Forests, Ainsley Henry, will serve as President of the LACFC during the...

Jamaica will host the 32nd Latin American and Caribbean Forestry Commission (LACFC) meeting from September 6 to 10. The biennial event, which is to be held virtually, will bring together experts and regional decision makers for discussions on, among other things, the coronavirus’ (COVID-19) impact on forestry and communities, and post-pandemic recovery efforts. Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, and Minister of Housing,...

The Ministry of Housing, Urban Renewal, Environment and Climate Change is working towards ensuring that Jamaica can begin to benefit from incentives under the Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD+) programme by early next year. “We are hopeful that by February 2022, we will have a structure for REDD+ in Jamaica,” Principal Director of the Climate Change Division...