Minister Samuda Calls for Bold Climate Change Action to Shield SIDS from Surging Poverty

Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation, Hon. Matthew Samuda, has underscored the importance of Jamaica and other Small Island Developing States (SIDS) pursuing climate change mitigation to prevent an increase in poverty rates.

Providing a Ministerial Briefing during the recent observance of Diplomatic Week at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade in downtown Kingston, Mr. Samuda, who has responsibility for the Environment, explained that Jamaica is facing a triple planetary crisis – climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution.

“Our weather patterns have shifted and we’re already experiencing extremes. In February 2022, we experienced the worst drought in Jamaica’s recorded history. In 2023, February and March, we experienced the third worst drought in our recorded history. Last year, in the same dry period, we experienced the fourth worst drought in our history, and within the same year, we had the wettest November we have had in over 50 years,” he informed.

Mr. Samuda pointed out that the changing climate is impacting the nation’s infrastructure, economy and living arrangements.

“Seventy per cent of Jamaica’s population live within five kilometres of the sea. So if you understand the geography, right around the coastline are most of our 20 urban centres. Now, when 70 per cent of your population lives within five kilometres of the sea, an inch or two inches sea-level rise is particularly challenging,” the Minister outlined.

He noted that Jamaicans are already experiencing the impact of saltwater intrusion in wells and their water supply, especially in rivers in and around the coast.

Additionally, Mr. Samuda indicated that the nation is experiencing deteriorating soil quality and falling pollination rates in line with a rise in temperatures.

The Minister said Jamaica has been taking steps to mitigate the issues; however, he acknowledged that it is an expensive endeavour.

He cited, as an example, downtown Kingston, which is currently the subject of a coastal revetment project to de-risk investments along the Kingston Waterfront and protect them from sea-level rise, noting that this will cost US$280 million.

“So, I posit to you that the changing climate is already creating an economic issue for Jamaica and Jamaicans. It’s no secret that we have our own developmental challenges, as does every country. But the situation is exacerbated by changing weather patterns that are affecting us,” Mr. Samuda maintained.

He said Jamaica remains committed to the fight against climate change, citing this as the reason the country is a signatory to the 2017 Paris Agreement and subscribes to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

“Jamaica was the 11th nation in the world to submit its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), and Jamaica has said we will cut emissions by 40 per cent by 2030. We will do so by pulling 50 per cent of our energy from renewables. That is the major underpinning agreement that we have, in terms of how we will approach our mitigation targets,” Mr. Samuda outlined.

The Minister also highlighted other elements that he deemed “incredibly important”.”

“Those include decarbonising of our transport sector. We’ve moved from heavy fuel oil with our buses. We’ve started bringing in CNG (compressed natural gas) and, in some cases, electric buses. We’re doing the same with our garbage collection and we’re looking at appropriate options for our police force. The national fleet, I think, is on the way to being decarbonised by 2030,” he informed.

Mr. Samuda noted that organisations, including the World Bank, have estimated that Jamaica’s adaptation needs will amount to $200 billion.

He, however, highlighted challenges with funding limitations to address the region’s climate adaptation needs, while underscoring the importance of multilateral efforts to tackle the issue.

“If Jamaica doesn’t adapt, if Small Island Developing States in the Caribbean, in the South Pacific, in the Indian Ocean, in East Africa don’t adapt, we have no chance of fighting our poverty rate.

It means the UN SDGs (United Nations Sustainable Development Goals) become an illusion,” the Minister warned.

“So that is why the subject of climate change is so absolutely important. It is critical to the things we’ve agreed as a global community because if you’re not able to mitigate sufficiently, to keep your numbers in check, the adaptation cost goes up. And with the adaptation cost going up, your poverty rates go up,” Mr. Samuda maintained.

The Minister emphasised that despite the challenges, Jamaica is not a bystander in the fight against the impacts of climate change.

Mr. Samuda said Jamaica has completed its long-term strategy up to 2050 and is working with many partners through varying fora and climate finance task forces to ensure that it raises sufficient funds.

“Discussions amongst partners and friends is absolutely critical if we’re to take on these challenges in a manner that allows for shared prosperity globally,” he underscored.