KINGSTON, Jamaica- Opposition Spokesman on Energy, Phillip Paulwell, has questioned the government’s commitment to tackling climate change despite the recent appointment of Professor Dale Webber as Jamaica’s first special envoy for climate change.

“We wish him well and we now await his frequent briefings to this Parliament,” Paulwell said during his recent contribution to the 2025/26 Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives.

He pointed out that Jamaica, like many other small island developing states was particularly vulnerable to the effects of climate change “not only in terms of our natural resources but also our social well-being and our economic development, as sectors such as tourism, agriculture, fisheries, forestry, and water are very climate sensitive”.

“Yet, we saw the unregulated development and destruction of mangroves at Fort Rocky. Prior to that in 2020 we saw NEPA’s (National Environment and Planning Agency) permit denial for quarry mining in the Dry Harbour Mountains being overturned by the Prime Minister himself for “economic benefit” in spite of the irreversible damage that would be caused to a limestone forest,” said Paulwell.

He warned that “actions like these are untenable”.

Paulwell told the House that he recently gave a presentation on the impact that climate change has on health and that he was “amazed by the information that was revealed from my research”.

He said he will again seek answers from the government on a range of issues, including the increased emissions sequestration from the forestry sector. “What about the funds that should have been spent on mangroves?” he asked.

Paulwell also wants an update on the project to reduce system losses in electricity transmission and distribution and the status of the stated goal to increase energy efficiency in the production of alumina to 90 per cent.

The Opposition spokesman said the Government will not realise its “lofty goal” of 291 MW of new solar pv by 2030; 121 MW of onshore wind capacity; 36 MW of hydro; 20 MW biomass; and 18 MW waste to energy. “These goals cannot be achieved by 2030,” Paulwell insisted.

He also questioned the government’s stated goal of achieving electricity savings of 19,800 MWh per year by 2023, and its promise to reduce final electricity intensity in the water services sector by 10 per cent by 2030.

And he declared that the goal to reduce traffic congestion in the Kingston Metropolitan Area “has died a natural death”.

“We must move from tagline to a mindset so that our people will fully understand that we are facing real danger that will have far-reaching consequences on things we take for granted,” Paulwell remarked.

He told the House that when the People’s National Party returns to office, “we will have to amalgamate all the various projects in a much more coordinated and focused way within the national budget.

“I repeat also that we will embark on a sustained public education programme aimed at all levels of the population and sectors of the country”.