Jamaica Secures Climate Finance and Technical Support at COP30 for Post-Hurricane Melissa Recovery

Jamaica’s delegation to the 30th Session of the Conference of the Parties (COP30) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in Brazil successfully advanced discussions with key international partners, securing major financial and technical support opportunities to strengthen climate resilience and drive post‑Hurricane Melissa recovery.

Minister of Water, Environment and Climate Change, Hon. Matthew Samuda, made the disclosure in a statement to the House of Representatives on Tuesday (December 2).

He noted that the meetings yielded potential commitments for additional grants, significant concessional loans through the World Bank envelope, and targeted technical assistance.

“The outcomes position Jamaica to attract a financing mix of US$93.5 million. We have [also] passed the technical review stage of over a US$170 million of grant financing review from the Green Climate Fund (GCF) which we expect to go to the Board in March and in June, based on the respective projects,” Mr. Samuda said.

Giving a breakdown of the US$93.5 million, the Minister indicated that while at COP30, he met with the team from the Fund for Responding to Loss and Damage (FRLD).

Mr. Samuda noted that the Fund has a total of US$250 million available for current disbursement in its first instalment, commencing December 15, 2025.

He explained that each country will be able to access between US$5 million and US$20 million, with a maximum of two projects.

“Discussions were successful and concluded with the following expectations: An invitation extended to the FRLD Executive Director to visit Jamaica on a mission. A notification was given of Jamaica’s intent to submit two projects to FRLD – one for budgetary support to Government through programmes and one to a direct access entity, which is likely to be Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF),” he stated.

“These projects would be for the water and agriculture sectors. These meetings were highly successful. They have agreed to come on that working visit and they have indicated in writing that they would be minded to support Jamaica’s application for US$20 million, which is the maximum allowable by a country from the Fund… and we will be submitting on December 15,” Minister Samuda added.

Jamaica also held discussions with the Climate Investment Funds (CIF), focusing on how the facility could support the country’s restoration and reconstruction efforts following Hurricane Melissa.

Among the urgent needs identified were the establishment of micro‑grids, power solutions for water systems, solar‑powered generators, solar panels, and expanded water storage capacity.

Mr. Samuda explained that the CIF operates through two modalities, including the Clean Technology Fund, which provides rapid clean technology solutions.

He noted that Jamaica’s emphasis was placed on energy for the water sector, and that US$50 million has been made available by the CIF at deeply concessional rates as a sub‑portion of Jamaica’s broader programme with the World Bank.

The second modality of the CIF is the Pilot Programme for Climate Resilience (PPCR).

The Minister stated that, although Jamaica’s allocation under the programme had previously been completed, a request has been submitted for an extraordinary allocation of US$20 million in grant funding.

“The intention is to complete the processes associated with this programme to allow for disbursement before the end of the calendar year. The implementing partner for this project is the IDB (Inter-American Development Bank), and is to be managed by the PIOJ (Planning Institute of Jamaica),” Mr. Samuda said.

Additionally, the Jamaican delegation met with Chief Executive Officer and Chair of Global Environment Facility (GEF), Carlos Manuel Rodriquez.

“From that meeting, we have received confirmation of a grant of an initial US$3 million to assist small-scale farmers and the fisheries sector. This support is immediately available to the Government, and we are finalising submission for a further US$6 million to be made available to the Government within six months,” Mr. Samuda said.

He added that he has engaged Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining, Hon. Floyd Green, to establish a project working group tasked with finalising Jamaica’s submission ahead of the December 2025 Board meeting.

Meanwhile, to provide greater oversight and to drive the process of accessing the funds, the Government will establish a Climate Finance Committee.

The Committee will comprise representatives from the Ministry of Water, Environment and Climate Change; Ministry of Finance and the Public Service; Ministry of Economic Growth and Infrastructure Development; Development Bank of Jamaica (DBJ), and the PIOJ.