Issues of climate change and climate justice were at the forefront of discussions at the recently concluded Heads of CARICOM Meeting. The region is facing challenges in building resilience and mitigation measures against disasters such as hurricanes. CARICOM Chair and Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell explained that building codes, once heralded as a saviour against hurricanes, are no longer sustainable.
Infrastructure is not the only risk in the face of hurricanes; efforts that Caribbean nations are making toward improving their compliance with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, such as green energy, are also affected.
Additionally, there is the loss and damage caused to the natural environment. Mitchell used the example of what Grenada is dealing with in terms of assessing the impact on Carriacou following the passage of Hurricane Beryl.
Grenada experienced devastation to the northern part of the main island, Carriacou, and Petit Martinique. Mitchell lamented that the extensive damage would take a toll on the overall progress and development of the tri-island state.
Hurricane Beryl also impacted St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Tobago, Barbados, and Jamaica. This experience will form the basis for CARICOM’s contribution to COP29 for climate justice. CARICOM and other Small Island Developing States are hoping that larger countries will follow through on their Paris Agreement commitments for financial assistance in mitigation and recovery from loss and damage due to climate change-related events.
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