KINGSTON, Jamaica (JIS) — Jamaica is among the first set of countries in the Caribbean and within the wider group of Small Island Developing States (SIDS) to complete its Biennial Update Report (BUR).

The report, which will be presented to Cabinet by next week, is one of the reporting requirements for developing countries that are parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

It includes information on the country’s greenhouse gas emissions; actions that are likely to be taken to reduce these emissions, including the enhancement of forest cover; financial or technical support that will be required to undertake these actions; or activities and information on support already received, if any.

The report was presented to Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation, Audrey Sewell, for submission to Cabinet, by Project Director of the BUR, Clifford Mahlung, during a brief ceremony at the ministry’s New Kingston offices, yesterday.

In her remarks, Sewell said climate change can be considered as one of the existential threats to sustainable development, noting that if it is not addressed, it could retard the country’s goals for economic growth and job creation.

“We must be fully cognizant of the fact that the country’s development is of paramount importance and it is crucial to enable each and every Jamaican to have the means to realise their fullest potential,” she said.

Sewell emphasised that the best approach must be found that will balance the need for a healthy environment with that of growing the economy.

Meanwhile, Mahlung informed that Jamaica received funding of US$352,000 to prepare its report.

The project proposal was prepared by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), in collaboration with the Meteorological Service and the Environment and Risk Management Division of the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation.

Cabinet approval will be required for submission of the Report to the Secretariat of the UNFCCC.

As a signatory to the UNFCCC and in accordance with Article 4.1 (a) of the UNFCCC, all parties to the Convention are requested to update and report periodically on their inventory of anthropogenic emissions and removals of greenhouse gases (GHGs) not controlled by the Montreal Protocol.