EC to pump $370 million into climate change adaptation efforts for Jamaica

BY PETRE WILLIAMS-RAYNOR Environment editor williamsp@jamaicaobserver.com

Wednesday, February 24, 2010

THE European Commission is, over the next four years, to pump just over $370 million (euro4 million) into a programme designed to shore up Jamaica's ability to adapt to a changing climate.

"The programme is now in the phase of identification. We have a project proposal," Frederico Berna, head of rural development at the European Union Delegation in Jamaica, told the weekly Observer Monday Exchange meeting of reporters and editors at the newspaper's Beechwood Avenue headquarters in Kingston.

The programme, which Berna said is expected to be signed off on within another two to three months, has as its objectives:

* the rehabilitation and improvement of selected watersheds to reduce downstream run-off and associated pollution and health risks;

* the restoration and protection of coastal ecosystems to enhance natural buffers and increase resilience; and

* to integrate awareness building amongst Jamaica's population to better adapt to climate change.

Berna noted that the intention was to be "proactive in responding to (climate change)" even as he acknowledged that Jamaica is "one of the more vulnerable of the islands" to exchanging climate.

The implementing agency for the project is the United Nations Environment Programme, which has partners in the National Environment and Planning Agency, the Forestry Department, the Environmental Management Division of the Office of the Prime Minister, the Meteorological Service and the Planning Institute of Jamaica.

The project is born from the Global Climate Change Alliance, launched by the European Commission between the European Union and poor developing countries most vulnerable to climate change.

The alliance is intended to step up co-operation between the European Union and the developing countries that are most vulnerable and have less capacity to react to climate change, which threatens rising sea levels and global temperatures, increasing extreme weather events such as droughts and hurricanes, as well as increased incidence of diseases such as dengue.

"The programme is financed under a euro70 million envelope in additional funding that the Commission has earmarked from the Environment and Natural Resources Thematic Programme over the period 2008-2010 to start up the Global Climate Change Alliance," according to a project fact sheet provided by the EU Delegation to Jamaica.

Ultimately, the Jamaica project is to realise rehabilitated watersheds through slope stabilisation measures such as reforestation of denuded hillsides and increased resilience of selected coastal areas against potential climate change impacts, as well as climate change capacity building and awareness raising.

Frederico Berna cap:

BERNA... the programme is now in the phase of identification

ILLUSTRATE/BOX and Shade

Rehabilitated watersheds

* Facilitate the establishment of community based management structures in the selected watershed management units (WMUs).

* Undertake reforestation and agro forestry in selected WMUs.

* Assess forested crown lands and declare forest reserves;

* Develop a Forest Fire Management Programme.

* Promote sustainable livelihood/economic activities.

* Establish river protection infrastructure/structures in selected areas.

Resilience in coastal areas:

* Design and implement data collection and database systems for monitoring changes in coastal ecosystems.

* Restore mangrove forests.

* Develop management plans for the effective management of marine protected areas.

* Identify possible options for alternative livelihoods and assess viability.

* Use appropriate methods and technologies in restoring sea grass beds.

* Establish and/or enhance coastal protection measures.

Climate change capacity building

* Design and implement a comprehensive climate change awareness and educational campaign, including culturally relevant material and resources.

* Provide resource materials using existing institutions such as public libraries and others.

* Create and operationalise publicly accessible GIS-based database and mechanism for data sharing and transfer.

* Identify capacity building/strengthening needs within the government and implement appropriate activities to address these needs.

* Assist in the revision and/or development of policies that will address adaptation and, where appropriate, mitigation to climate change.

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EC to pump $370 million into climate change adaptation efforts for Jamaica