Portmore To Partner with German City on Climate Change Projects

The city of Hagen in Germany will be partnering with the municipality of Portmore in St. Catherine, to formulate and implement climate change projects at the local Government level.

Making the disclosure during his contribution to the 2013/14 Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives on Wednesday (June 26), Minister of Water, Land, Environment and Climate Change, Hon. Robert Pickersgill, said this is being facilitated through the Climate Change Advisory Committee (CCAC).

“A situational analysis of the City of Portmore was conducted and from this, several projects have been identified for implementation.  These include funding to commence implementation of a complete solar energy system for the HEART Academy of Portmore,” the Minister informed.

Mr. Pickersgill noted that funding is already approved, and inspection of the building is to start for the placement of the solar panels.

“To complement this, training of engineers in solar energy technology will commence in the third quarter of this year,” he said.

The Minister said the plans also include the establishment of a climate change park and the staging of an international reggae climate change festival in the first quarter of 2014.

“It is my desire, as Minister, that knowledge developed from this project will be replicated in other cities and towns throughout Jamaica,” he said.

CONTACT: ALECIA SMITH-EDWARDS