27 January 2014: A new center has been created with support from the Government of Canada and the World Bank to help small and medium-sized enterprises in the Caribbean region to develop locally-appropriate solutions to climate change mitigation and adaptation. One of eight such centers around the world, the Caribbean Climate Innovation Center (CCIC) aims to leverage programmes, activities, financing and its network of partners and stakeholders to solve climate, energy and resource challenges and support economic development through job creation in the region.

CCIC targets gaps in five priority sectors, identified in collaboration with local stakeholders: resource use and efficiency; sustainable agri-business; solar energy; energy efficiency; and water management. The Center seeks to address these gaps by working with up to 80 companies in the region to, inter alia: provide proof of concept funding to test the commercial viability of climate solutions; improve access to capital to local climate technology companies; support businesses and entrepreneurial capacity through business development services, networking, mentoring and training programmes; and influence and advocate for policy coordination.

Two Caribbean scientific institutions, namely the Scientific Research Council (SRC) in Jamaica and the Caribbean Industrial Research Institute (CARIRI) in Trinidad and Tobago, will host the center, along with other satellite facilities located elsewhere in the region. [World Bank Press Release] [CCIC Website]