Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation, Senator the Hon. Matthew Samuda, endorsed Nature-based Solutions in fortifying disaster resilience along the coastal areas of Jamaica. Minister Samuda, currently participating in the 28th meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP) being held in Dubai, commented during the Nature for Climate Action Ministerial: Enhancing Cooperation on Nature for Climate Action session held on Monday, December 4. “NbS and current initiatives, such as protected area management (Special Fishery Conservation Areas), mangrove restoration, and coral restoration, exemplify the country’s commitment to building back better in the face of climate change,” he said. Minister Samuda noted that while climate change poses a significant threat to marine ecosystems, biodiversity, and livelihoods, support through the Caribbean Biodiversity Fund, the Climate Investment Fund, and the climate-resilience project called ‘CityAdapt’ has been cushioning the blow of climatic events. “The CityAdapt in particular, is restoring 2 hectares of wetlands to reduce coastal erosion and flooding, along with 2.3 hectares of an urban park with 1,400 trees in Kingston. The project is being implemented by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and financed by the Global Environment Facility through its Special Climate Change Fund,” Minister Samuda said. Minister Samuda is leading the delegation at COP28, also known as the Investment COP, which runs from 30 November until 12 December 2023.
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