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Prime Minister, Dr. the Most Hon. Andrew Holness (centre, stooping), is joined by Minister of Water, Environment and Climate Change, Hon. Matthew Samuda (right, stooping), and State Minister in the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, Hon. Marisa Dalrymple-Philibert (left, stooping), as they plant a tree at the Lowe River Forest Reserve in Trelawny, following the launch of the Reforestation, Ecological Enhancement and Landscape Framework (RE-LEAF) initiative on Wednesday (March 25).

Jamaica Embarks on RE-LEAF Initiative to Restore Forests

Prime Minister, Dr. the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, joined volunteers on Wednesday (March 25) in planting more than 1,000 seedlings as Jamaica officially launched the Reforestation, Ecological Enhancement and Landscape Framework (RE-LEAF) initiative. This major national reforestation project seeks to...

National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA) Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Leonard Francis (left); Principal of Titchfield High School in Port Antonio, Richard Thompson (centre), and Island Car Rentals CEO, Ryan Parkes, view a display mounted during the National Schools Environmental Clubs Student Workshop hosted by NEPA at the school on March 6.

NEPA Launches Competition to Inspire Jamaica’s Young Environmental Leaders

Minister of Water, Environment, and Climate Change, Hon. Matthew Samuda, delivers a Ministerial Briefing during the Diplomatic Days 2026 high-level engagement at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade offices in downtown Kingston. His address was presented on March 18.

Jamaica Set to Ratify SPAW Protocol Soon

Lecturer at the University of the West Indies, Mona, Dr Adrienne Williams, addresses a recent Jamaica Information Service (JIS) 'Think Tank'.

Researcher Urges Action to Cut Emissions in Jamaica

Minister of Water, Environment and Climate Change, Hon. Matthew Samuda (right), greets Meteorological Technician at the Meteorological Service of Jamaica, Lerone Lynch, during a stop at the agency’s display booth at the World Water Day Exposition 2026 held on Friday (March 20), at the University of the West Indies (UWI), Mona Campus in St. Andrew.

$15 Billion Water Sector Investments This Year – Minister Samuda

Chief Executive Officer, Environmental Foundation of Jamaica (EFJ), Nicole Adamson (left), is in conversation with Resident Representative, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Multi Country Office in Jamaica, Dr. Kishan Khoday following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the entities at Liguanea Club in New Kingston on Thursday (March 19).

3 months ago Climate ChangeEnvironment

EFJ, UNDP Partner to Scale Up Climate Financing for CSOs

Local civil society organisations (CSOs) are to benefit from increased access to climate funding under a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Environmental Foundation of Jamaica (EFJ) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). The five-year agreement was signed on Thursday (March 19) at the conclusion of the EFJ’s 29th annual general meeting held at Liguanea Club in New Kingston....

Minister of Water, Environment and Climate Change, Hon. Matthew Samuda, addresses a Ministerial Briefing at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Foreign Trade in Kingston on Wednesday (March 18). The briefing is one of several activities happening during Diplomatic Week 2026.

3 months ago Environment

Jamaica Bids to Host Our Ocean Conference

Minister of Water, Environment, and Climate Change, Hon. Matthew Samuda, has announced that Jamaica is submitting a bid to host the Our Ocean Conference in Montego Bay, St. James, next year. The annual Conference convenes governments, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), the private sector and the academic community to identify action-based solutions and make tangible commitments to address key ocean issues such...

Titchfield High School students place their pledge during a National Schools Environmental Clubs Student Workshop hosted by the National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA), at the school in Port Antonio on March 6.

4 months ago EnvironmentYouth

NEPA Inspiring Youth to Become Environmental Champions

The National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA) is continuing its efforts to inspire young Jamaicans to become champions for the environment, through its National School Environmental Club Programme (NSECP). As part of the initiative, NEPA recently staged a workshop at Titchfield High School in Port Antonio on March 6, aimed at establishing and strengthening environmental clubs in schools. Six high...

Minister of Water, Environment and Climate Change, Hon. Matthew Samuda, speaks during a recent post-Cabinet press briefing.

4 months ago Environment

Increase in Environmental Protection Levy Brings It in Line with Regional Averages

Minister of Water, Environment and Climate Change, Hon. Matthew Samuda, has emphasised that the proposed increase to the Environmental Protection Levy, will bring it in line with regional averages, while helping the country recover from the devastating impacts of Hurricane Melissa. The Government has proposed an increase in the rate from 0.5 per cent to 0.8 per cent, for both...

Minister of Water, Environment and Climate Change, Hon. Matthew Samuda, delivers the keynote address at the national youth dialogue on food security held at the University of the West Indies

4 months ago Climate ChangeEnvironmentWaterYouth

Gov’t Building Out Irrigation Infrastructure to Bolster Climate Resilience, Food Security

Minister of Water, Environment and Climate Change, Hon. Matthew Samuda, says the Government is focused on building out the country’s irrigation infrastructure as a climate adaptation strategy and to contribute to the nation’s food security. “We're actively doing so in Essex Valley, we’re actively doing so in St. Elizabeth, and we have major irrigation plans for St. Mary and the...

Minister of Water, Environment and Climate Change, Hon. Matthew Samuda, converses with REALTORS® Association of Jamaica President, Gabrielle Gilpin-Hudson (left), and Head of Sales and Distribution at the Bank of Nova Scotia, Yvette Anderson . The occasion was the Leaders in Real Estate Breakfast held at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel in New Kingston on Thursday (February 26). The event was hosted by the Association under the theme: ‘Strengthening Partnerships for a More Efficient, Transparent, and Sustainable Real Estate Sector’.

4 months ago Environment

Gov’t To Divest Soapberry Wastewater Treatment Plant

The Government will go to market this year to divest the Soapberry Wastewater Treatment Plant in St. Catherine. Under the divestment arrangement, the plant’s capacity will be doubled and its operations upgraded from secondary to tertiary treatment. This move is expected to deliver significant benefits for both the economy and the environment. “Marine biologists will tell you— and they speak...

Minister of Water, Environment, and Climate Change, Hon. Matthew Samuda, delivers remarks as REALTORS® Association of Jamaica President, Gabrielle Gilpin‑Hudson, listens attentively. The occasion was the REALTORS® Association’s Leaders in Real Estate Breakfast, held at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel in New Kingston on Thursday (February 26).

4 months ago Climate ChangeEnvironmentWater

Gov’t Investments to Deliver Water Resilience for Kingston and St. Andrew

Minister of Water, Environment, and Climate Change, Hon. Matthew Samuda, on Thursday (February 26), announced that Kingston and St. Andrew are expected to achieve water resilience and drought resistance within 18 months. He explained that this will be realised through a series of Government-led investments currently underway. These include the construction of a plant in Content, St. Catherine, which is...