28 March 2012: The UN Environment Programme (UNEP) has announced the release of the synthesis report of a study on the green economy in Barbados, which highlights elements for developing a roadmap to further Barbados’ pursuit of building a Green Economy.
The report, titled “Green Economy Scoping Study Synthesis Report: Barbados,” was released at the Caribbean Green Economy Forum held from 28-29 March in Barbados. The study was undertaken by experts from government, the University of West Indies-Cave Hill Campus and UNEP, and examines how Barbados can strengthen its policies and harness its investments, while enhancing social equity and environmental protection. It focuses on the five key economic sectors of agriculture, fisheries, building, transport and tourism, as well as the four cross-cutting issues of waste, water, energy and land.
Speaking at the release of the report, Prime Minister of Barbados, Freundel Stuart, underscored the need for the green economy debate at the UN Conference on Sustainable Development (UNCSD, or Rio+20) to recognize “our structural vulnerabilities” and create “the institutional platform that enables us to participate in innovative partnerships.”
Key recommendations in the synthesis report include: establishing an overarching institutional programme to strengthen agricultural cooperatives in Barbados; strengthening the fisheries development and management regime to ensure sustainable levels of catch, and establishing a marine management agency and code of conduct for responsible fisheries; introducing green standards in the management of energy, solid waste, water and land under an overarching policy framework to promote sustainability in the construction industry; developing an integrated public transportation policy and investment programme, and establishing a vehicle emission testing facility to reduce traffic congestion and carbon emissions; and adopting and promoting new energy and resource efficiency policies for hotels, and establishing new heritage and nature-based tourism sites. The full report will be released later in the year. [UNEP Press Release] [Publication: Green Economy Scoping Study Synthesis Report: Barbados]