National Climate Change Policy and Action Plan (draft plan 2007-2011)
The strategic objective of the Plan is “to lay the foundation for an organised long term response to Climate Change”, in response to the relative lack of capacity to conduct climate change assessments and plan responses. The strategic objective is to be achieved through eight interdependent strategies, namely:
• Climate-proofing present and future national development activities by requiring a climate risk analysis of all ongoing and new development initiatives
• Strengthening the collection, analysis and use of climate-related data and impacts
• Building local human capacity to assess and respond to climate change, including through the access and use of appropriate technologies
• Reducing greenhouse gas emissions through increased energy efficiency and the use of renewable energy
• Eliminating unsustainable livelihood and development practices that increase climate change vulnerabilities
• Sustained Public Awareness and Education Programming
• Foreign policy advocacy for international action on climate change
• Joint Implementation and networking with OECS and CARICOM partners and with other Small Island Developing States.
The Plan further sets out specific goals to be achieved over 2007 – 2011 (and details related activities in a Strategy Matrix:
• Climate change adaptation incorporated into all new development projects from January 2008;
• Incorporation of climate change adaptation and mitigation considerations in sectors at risk (e.g. health, agriculture, water, housing and spatial planning, coastal development);
• Establishment by the end of 2008 of a National Meteorological Service to collect, analyse and disseminate climate related data to all potential users;
• Completion by the end of 2008 of technical analysis of appropriate response measures of climate change adaptation policy tackling the most serious long term impacts of climate change (e.g. erosion of Grand Anse beach, reduction in water supply, reduction in agricultural productivity and human settlement impacts);
• Group of technical personnel capable of conducting basic, scientific analysis of climate change impacts at the sectoral level and of proposing response measures, available in each sector by the end of 2008.
• Detailed sector impact assessments and initial response plans by the end of 2010.
• Introduction of university degrees related to climate change by the end of 2008.
• Incentives for the use of renewable energy included in the 2008 and subsequent Budgets.
• Exclusive importation and use of high energy saving appliances and equipment by 2010.
• More integrated approach to national development and reduction in unsustainable practices by 2010.
• Raising public awareness about climate change to stimulate public demand and support of public policies aimed at building national resilience to climate change.
The Action Plan 2007-2011 was to be replaced by an Action Plan 2012-2016, based notably on the detailed sector impact assessments and initial response plans. The new Plan is currently under preparation.
