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Cabinet Approves the Appointment of Professor Webber as the First Special Envoy for Climate Change, Environment, Ocean, and Blue Economy

Posted on by Andie Spencer

Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation, the Hon. Matthew Samuda, MP announced today in Parliament the historic appointment of Professor Dale Finster St. George Webber as Jamaica’s first special envoy for Climate Change, Environment, Ocean, and Blue Economy.

This pioneering role reflects Jamaica’s commitment to addressing the global challenges of climate change, environmental degradation, and sustainable development. Professor Webber, an esteemed marine biologist, conservationist, and climate change advocate, will serve as an Ambassador in this capacity, reporting directly to the Most Honourable Prime Minister while working closely with the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade.

Prime Minister Holness and Minister of Economic Growth and Job Creation, Dr. the Most Hon. Andrew Holness expressed his commendations to Professor Webber in Parliament.

“I wish to add my commendations to Professor Webber, he has done a great deal of work in the field of climate, and it was a very easy decision for me and the Minister responsible for climate change to make the appointment. We are confident that he will represent Jamaica well in the many climate fora that are conveyed around the world and particularly at this time”, said the Prime Minister.

Minister Samuda emphasised the importance of this appointment, citing the critical need for Jamaica to enhance its representation in international negotiations and agreements. “The challenges of our time—climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution—demand high-level participation and collaboration on the global stage. This appointment signals Jamaica’s resolve to lead and act decisively in these areas”, he said.

Professor Webber’s expertise in Coastal and Environmental Management and his distinguished career in academia and public service, including his tenure as Principal of the University of the West Indies (UWI), Mona, make him exceptionally suited for this role.

In his new role, Professor Webber will engage in international dialogues and technical negotiations, ensuring that Jamaica’s interests remain at the forefront of global environmental policy and action. According to his Terms of Reference, his role will include:

  • Clear identification of leads on projects or programmes representing sound prospects for advancing Jamaica’s economic growth, environmental sustainability and job creation agenda; and
  • Provision of specific proposals with supporting documentation, as will permit the relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies, to assess the feasibility of proposed projects or programmes.

Minister Samuda concluded by urging bipartisan support for this significant appointment, noting its importance for Jamaica’s future resilience and sustainability.

NSHP is a strategic intervention for households experiencing shelter poverty – PM Holness

Posted on by Stephon.johnson@megjc.gov.jm

Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, has stated that the New Social Housing Programme (NSHP) is a strategic intervention for households experiencing shelter poverty.

“This New Social Housing Programme is designed first and foremost as a strategic intervention for households that have what you could describe as shelter poverty, meaning that their housing condition is such that it couldn’t be defined as a safe, sustainable shelter”, he explained.

Prime Minister added that “we estimate, this is a rough estimate, that there are approximately 6000 households in Jamaica that would be in absolute shelter poverty, meaning that they have no proper roofing, their structure is probably rotten and about to collapse, and their shelter does not provide them protection from the elements. Some don’t have concrete flooring or any paved flooring, and indeed, we have even assisted persons who have been living in abandoned vehicles. The last time we handed over a social house, it was to someone who was living in a vehicle”.

Prime Minister Holness noted that while the NSHP has been assisting families with housing structures, it does not include land space.

“Now, 6000 households may not sound like a lot, but to build 6000 houses is a massive undertaking, and this programme is designed to build the houses, but the programme itself does not have land. So, the beneficiaries’ contribution to this housing programme, is that they must come up with the land. Some beneficiaries are living in terrible structures, but they may have access to land”, Prime Minister Holness stated.

He added that the Government intends to increase the pace of delivering houses next year so that in the next five years, there is no Jamaican family that is experiencing shelter poverty.

“The Government is being very systematic in how it deals with the issue of poverty in Jamaica, we have never taken our eyes off the poor. We intend to ensure that we have sufficient programmes to help, especially the absolute poor in our country…we want all Jamaicans to have shelter such that they can use that shelter to build their family and build wealth. So today, one more family is on track for that”, the Prime Minister ended.

Prime Minister Holness was engaging in NSHP handover ceremonies where five units were given to residents in Giblatore, Dignum, St. Catherine; New Road, Dressikie, St. Mary; Bonnett District, Benbow, St. Catherine; Berry Hill District, Riversdale, St. Catherine; and Stanberry Grove, Sligoville, St. Catherine yesterday.

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Government taking steps to address water issues in South East St. Ann

Posted on by Stephon.johnson@megjc.gov.jm

Steps are being taken to alleviate the water distribution issues that have plagued several communities in South East St. Ann.

Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation, Senator the Hon. Matthew Samuda, noted during a recent tour of water systems in the communities of Claremont, Alderton, and Higgin Town,  that the Government would be examining the systems holistically, to ensure that the investment in the constituency has the largest impact.

“We have toured several water systems, some of which are in disrepair and some which are significantly under-invested and very inadequate.  As such, citizens are unable to access water in particular areas.  We looked at some short, medium, and long-term solutions. Obviously for a constituency of this size and this is indeed the largest constituency in this country, there are distribution challenges”, the Minister stated.

Among the measures outlined by the Minister,  is the commissioning of a study of the land that is held by bauxite companies in the area, to ascertain the availability of wells that are as close as possible to the affected communities.

“The very nature of this constituency and this area is that pumping cost is going to be very expensive, so we need to get as close to the source as possible. So we will commission that study.  There are some productive wells that we are aware of and we will ensure that we do the studies and ensure that the NWC (National Water Commission) has the information and applies for the necessary licenses”, the Minister explained.

Meanwhile, Minister Samuda announced that the NWC will shortly begin pipelaying works to connect the communities of Higgin Town and Claremont in the constituency which has been on the books for some time.

The work involves the extension of the pipeline from Claremont to Higgin Town, a distance of 6 km, and the sourcing of the pump to expand the Walkerswood operations at a cost of $75.6 million.  The completed system will serve some 2372 accounts totalling 9488 beneficiaries.

However, the Minister added that several major projects would be undertaken in the area.

“Because of the scale, these will have to go through the PIAB (Public Investment Appraisal Branch) process, it’s unavoidable in our procurement system.  But there are other small projects that we’ll look at, so I’ll have Rural Water and the NWC submit the estimates to me as a matter of urgency”, the Minister stated.

The South East St. Ann Constituency has over 23,000 persons benefitting from eight (8) water systems providing close to 2 Million gallons daily.  However, the population growth now requires the introduction of new water sources to adequately serve the numerous existing and new upcoming communities.

Minister Samuda was joined on the tour by Member of Parliament, Lisa Hanna, and teams from the National Water Commission (NWC), the Water Resources Authority (WRA), and the Rural Water Supply Ltd (RWSL).
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Minister Samuda to lead Jamaica’s Environment Agenda at the XXIII Meeting of the Forum of Ministers of Environment

Posted on by Stephon.johnson@megjc.gov.jm

Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation, Senator the Hon. Matthew Samuda, is to lead Jamaica’s environment agenda at the XXIII Meeting of the Forum of Ministers of the Environment of Latin America and the Caribbean scheduled for October 24-26, 2023, in Panama.

The Forum’s primary role is to provide a space for the region’s governments to establish priorities for environmental action and to collaborate on the implementation of programs, projects, and approaches to address those priorities.

Minister Samuda, who has portfolio responsibility for the environment, noted that these regional conversations are needed to boost collaboration on the shared environmental agenda.

“Many successful partnerships, at different levels, have been forged within the region in addressing common environmental priorities and challenges. For example, the region has made significant progress in reducing deforestation, promoting renewable energy, and improving air quality. However, more needs to be done to address the region’s environmental concerns, many of which are the subject of this XXIII Forum of Ministers of the Environment of the LAC region,” Minister Samuda said.

The Forum also serves as the regional meeting for the discussion and preparation of Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) Countries on Sustainable Development, which feeds into the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA).

High-level representatives of the region’s governments, multilateral environmental agreement secretariats, research and academic organizations, civil society organizations, and regional and global development cooperation institutions will attend the event.

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Jamaica and other Caribbean Nations Join International Movement to Protect 30% of Global Ecosystems by 2030

Posted on by Stephon.johnson@megjc.gov.jm

Jamaica and other Caribbean Nations Join International Movement to Protect 30% of Global Ecosystems by 2030.

Jamaica is among over a dozen Caribbean nations, including Grenada, and Antigua & Barbuda which have joined a progressive group of nations across the globe that are determined to protect 30% of the planet’s ocean and land resources by 2030.

The 30×30 target which is supported by science, is being advanced by the High Ambition Coalition for Nature & People (HAC), in a bid to fight the triple threats of biodiversity loss, environmental degradation and climate change.

In a release, the HAC noted that the Caribbean is no stranger to these issues and has shown ambition in advancing climate solutions and advocating for high biodiversity protection targets.  It noted that through its support of the 30×30 target, the Caribbean region continues to showcase its leadership to the globe.

The release further noted that globally, only 7% of oceans and 15% of land are designated as protected.

“In order to meet the goal, the HAC has been gathering pledges from global governments ahead of signing the major biodiversity treaty in Geneva in April. The Coalition is co-chaired by Costa Rica and France, with the United Kingdom named as the Ocean co-chair. So far, over 85 nations have indicated their commitment to the science-backed 30×30 target including the United States, Canada, the Marshall Islands, the Maldives, and several of the European Union’s member states”, the release stated.

Discussing the importance of the global 30×30 target for Caribbean nations with the HAC, Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation, Senator the Hon. Matthew Samuda noted that protecting the unique biodiversity of the Caribbean region is paramount.

“We are a product of our environment – protecting our reefs, forests, coastal areas and other green spaces ensure that we are protecting ourselves as well as future generations. The latest IPCC report is clear, we must act now to mitigate the worst impacts of climate change, and the HAC 30×30 target provides us with a pathway towards doing just that.    Jamaica, and the Caribbean region as a whole, have advanced innovative sustainable solutions. We must lead as models of resilience and climate action, and by taking part in the 30×30 goal, we are leading by example and showcasing what the  Caribbean can achieve” Minister Samuda stated.

The 30×30 goal is part of a larger sustainable development movement that includes the Global Ocean Alliance (GOA), a programme that specifically targets the creation of new Marine Protected Areas (MPAs).

Several Caribbean countries have already sealed their commitment to the GOA.  However, the HAC notes that given the important connection between land and sea in the region, ensuring that land resources are simultaneously protected is just as crucial.

The HAC has identified terrestrial protection as an important and undervalued conservation target.

“The protection of 30% of the planet would generate several benefits, including:

  • Safeguarding 500 gigatonnes of carbon stored in vegetation and soils
  • Reducing the risk of zoonotic disease outbreaks like COVID-19
  • Supporting 30 million jobs and $500b of GDP in ecotourism and sustainable fisheries
  • Restoring depleted fishing grounds and fish populations by 600% and
  • Increasing food security and improving local economies”

Minister Samuda is currently in Nairobi, Kenya where he attended the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA), and the special session to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP@50).

Jamaica remains committed to its Environmental Protection Targets – Samuda

Posted on by Stephon.johnson@megjc.gov.jm

Jamaica remains committed to its Environmental Protection Targets – Samuda

Minister without Portfolio, in the Ministry of Economic Growth & Job Creation, Senator the Honorable Matthew Samuda, this morning addressed the resumed 5th Session of the United Nations Environmental Assembly (UNEA) (5.2) which is now underway in Nairobi, Kenya.

In his remarks Minister Samuda acknowledged the work of the UN Environment Program,  noting that  “Given the global plastic crisis, the Government of Jamaica supports a proposal through UNEA 5.2 to establish an Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC) on plastics, to guide and coordinate the implementation of UNEA resolutions in place since 2014”.

This, the Minister said, clearly sends the signal that Jamaica will build on its efforts to reduce plastic pollution under the Phased Ban on Single Use Plastics, which commenced in 2019, and will continue to work with the Multilateral Community to deal with the scourge of plastic waste definitively.

Minister Samuda also told the UNEA session that Jamaica remains committed to its targets for Environmental protection.

“In December 2020, Jamaica and 13 other countries, announced their commitment to a new Global Ocean Action Agenda which seeks to ‘achieve 100 per cent sustainable ocean management of areas within national jurisdiction guided by sustainable ocean plans by 2025, and to support a global target to protect 30 per cent of the ocean by 2030”, the Minister said

Among the country’s international biodiversity and blue economy commitments, he said, is the declaration of a section of the Pedro Bank as a protected area, which is expected to be accomplished this year.

“The area comprises approximately 882 square kilometers, and contains significant biodiversity.    Approximately 18.1 per cent of terrestrial and 13 per cent of marine areas will be under legal protection”, the Minister added.

Minister Samuda further noted that Jamaica is also actively engaged in restoration programmes for several key marine and coastal ecosystems, including mangrove forests, seagrass beds and coral reefs.

He acknowledged the support Jamaica has received from its International partners for its ambitious environmental goals and stated that Post Covid-19, all Governments must, through partnerships, chart a course of action that recognizes Nature at the Heart of Sustainable Development.

“While we collectively continue to grapple with the effects of the COVID 19 pandemic, we should also be mindful of the opportunities presented to make a transformative paradigm shift from unsustainable production and consumption patterns, to one that embraces the circular, green and blue economies”.

UNEA 5.2 serves as a platform for delegates from countries around the world, to gain consensus on multilateral environmental efforts surrounding biodiversity, climate, pollution, and food systems, among others.

Minister Samuda is also expected to deliver a statement on March 4, on the Occasion of the Special Session to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the creation of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).

Click here to view Minister Samuda’s presentation