Barbados’ Green Economy Scoping Study: The Interplay of Built Environment, Land Development and Water Dr Adrian Cashman Centre for Resource Management and Environmental Studies University of the West Indies, Barbados Campus Green Growth Investment Forum ‘11 Green Growth for Economic Resilience: Promoting Green Investments in the Eastern Caribbean Through Innovation and Clean Technology BRUSSELS 6 7 October 2011

Broaden presentation so more relevant to today’s audience ► ► Background   Green Economy   Role of UWI (?) ► ► Remarks about Natural Resources ► ► Interplay ► ► Opportunities

Background   Emerging regional focus on Green Economy Integrated production, distribution, consumption and waste assimilation system that improves human well-being and sustainable utilisation of resources while contributing to local economies   Barbados’ & ECLAC initiative

Background Role of University of the West Indies Education & skilled workforce Research & Development partner Regional vulnerability & Climate Chnage

Natural Resources Climate realities High endemism esp. Fauna & threats from invasive species Conversion & exploitation of the natural environment Coastal & marine environmen coral reefs

Impacts of Human Activities Focus on primary economic activity Services (Tourism) also utilise natural resources as product inputs Result: Land degradation, waste generation, competition for resources

Land Development & Built Environment Impact of geography Concentration of coastal regionals Life style impacts resource use in homes waste generation (disposal sites)

Water Aspects Infrastructure coverage good Economic input Public health But.. Wastewater provision Institutional frameworks

Water Aspects Energy use Water losses Opportunities (Benefits) RWH & Resource use efficiency Wastewater services Agriculture use

End Notes Examples of best practice Union Island St Lucia Needs Knowledge skills development Development of professionals

Background  Vision of Barbados as the foremost green economy in the Region  Various ‘green’ initiatives  Scoping Study covers:  Agriculture  Fisheries  Building/Housing  Transport  Tourism

Agriculture   Dominated by sugar cane   Challenges and opportunities   Attracting more people into farming   Modernisation of cultivation technology   Develop higher value-added products   Water efficient technologies   Improve support to small farmers   Need to address ecosystem impacts

Fisheries   Dominated by pelagic & flying fish (seasonal)   Valuable part of the local economy   Coastal resources and ecosystems are under threat   Challenges   Reduction of post harvest losses   Reduce waste production

Building & Housing   Densely developed coastal corridor   25% of population is within 2km of coast   Trend towards concrete and block construction & increasing demand   Need to introduce newer technologies   Government needs to lead through procurement

Transport   Car ownership dominates transport   90,000 private cars growing at ~4% pa   No policy to encourage green cars   Atmospheric pollution compounded by weak regulatory environment   Need for a more comprehensive approach

Tourism   Hotels are doing a lot but this needs to expand beyond just hotels   There is a need for standards and certification

Cross-cutting Issues   Energy   Subject of a lot of attention (incl. funding)   Proportion of renewable sources is increasing (7% of total currently)   Need to create investor confidence   Water   Water scarce country – urgent need to improve   Wastewater could be a growth area   Solid waste   Excellent record of green initiatives