J$474.58 million set for climate change adaptation project

Approximately J$474.58 million has been allocated for the implementation of a Climate Change Adaptation and Disaster Risk Reduction project. Funding has been provided through grant resources from the European Union. It will be officially launched by the Prime Minister, the Hon. Bruce Golding on Wednesday, February 2, 2011 at the Office of the Prime Minister, Banquet Hall.

The project is being co-managed by the Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ) through the Project Management Unit in the Sustainable Development and Regional Planning Division and the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP). Overall objectives are geared towards assisting with the adaptation of climate change and contributing to the sustainable development of Jamaica by increasing resilience of vulnerable areas and reducing risks associated with natural hazards. The project will involve watershed and coastal rehabilitation as well as climate change awareness.

According to the PIOJ, there has been an increase in storm intensity and incidence of floods and drought which has resulted in significant social dislocation and monumental economic loss and damage. In 2004 for instance, Hurricanes Ivan and Dean resulted in damage and losses totalling J$35 billion and J$23 billion respectively.

Jamaicabecame a Party to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in 1995 and its Kyoto Protocol in 1999, both of which are international agreements geared towards addressing climate change. The country prepared its first National Communication to the UNFCCC in 2002 and is currently finalizing the Second National Communication. The information contained in both documents will be used in the development of a Climate Change Policy and Action Plan.

Issued by: The Planning Institute of Jamaica