Jamaica’s climate change commitments portray the country’s moral leadership and regard for the international community, says minister without portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation, Matthew Samuda.

Speaking at the CANCarib Climate Smart Opportunities Summit (CCSOS) Business Bootcamp in New York on Tuesday, Samuda said that Jamaica, throughout the years, have not contributed to the world’s current climatic issues.

“The argument often comes up [that] even though you should make commitments to cut emissions [as] it helps human health [and] reduces respiratory illnesses; Jamaica’s emission certainly hasn’t contributed to the climate change issue.”

“The primary issue is, we can’t sit back idly and expect that funds are going to be sent to us for adaptation and resilience without honouring commitments and going along with the direction of the international community,” he added.

Jamaica’s nationally determined contribution (NDC) implementation plan outlines the country’s strategies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate the effects of climate change. It aims to cut gas emissions by 60 per cent by 2030.

He said this will be done primarily by on boarding new renewable energy options and pushing for public and private fleets to transition to electronic vehicles, while indicating that Jamaica must be concerned with its microclimate.

“The big issue and a big cost to economies like ours, is not just the mass climatic events that make up the news and get a lot of global attention… [but also the] slow onset factors,” he said.

Samuda further noted that negligence can lead to several issues such as compromised soil, water quality and coral bleaching.

“You start to exacerbate your own issues if you don’t take these things at hand. So, for us, it’s important, from a practical… [and] moral standpoint, for Jamaica to show leadership,” he underscored.

– JIS