CARIBBEAN CHALLENGES– CDEMA’s Perspective Presentation by Dr Elvis Nurse, Director, Resources Management Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA) The Caribbean Green Economy Conference St Lucia June 4 - 6, 2013

Content 1. Caribbean Reality  Caribbean Hazard Landscape  Caribbean environment  Hazard exposure 2. Brief on CDEMA  Promoting DRM  Comprhensive Disaster management (CDM) 3. CDEMA”s Views on Green Economy  SWOT analysis of region  Issues shaping changes  Risk & unsustainable society 4. Promoting a green economy- Lessons from a Canadian city

Caribbean Hazard Landscape 2nd most hazard prone region in the world Small island and low lying developing states with vulnerable economies, largely dependent on tourism and agriculture High risk to sea level rise, 60% of population, 70% of economic activity within 2 miles of coastline Frequent major events (hydro-meteorological and geophysical) Regular annual disaster losses estimated at US $3 billion in Region Significant loss to social and productive sector and to GDP

Caribbean Environment

Caribbean Environment X P R I N C S

Significant Hazard Exposure Caribbean Landscape Significant Hazard Exposure E X P R I N C S Human Induced Fires Oil Spills Chemical Explosions Epidemic Water Pollution Insurrection Theft and robberies Accidents Bomb Threats Kidnappings Natural Hazards Hurricanes Floods Drought Earthquakes Volcanoes Landslides Tsunamis

Brief on CDEMA The regional inter-governmental Agency responsible for disaster management in the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Formerly CDERA 1991- CDERA established by an Agreement of Heads of Government of CARICOM September 1, 2009 – CDERA officially transitioned to CDEMA Membership comprises 18 Participating States (PS) Newest PS- Haiti and Suriname (joined in September 2009)

CDEMA Participating States Anguilla Antigua and Barbuda Bahamas Barbados Belize Virgin Islands Dominica Grenada Guyana 10. Haiti 11. Jamaica 12. Montserrat 13. St. Kitts and Nevis 14. Saint Lucia 15. St Vincent & the Grenadines 16. Suriname 17. Trinidad and Tobago 18. Turks and Caicos

Promoting Disaster Risk Management Through Existing Comprehensive Disaster Management (CDM) Strategy & Programming Framework 2007-2012 2013-2023 Comprehensive Disaster Management (CDM) Strategy

Comprehensive Disaster Management (CDM) Comprehensive Disaster Management (CDM) is the management of all hazards Through all phases of the disaster management cycle – prevention and mitigation, preparedness, response, recovery and rehabilitation By all peoples public and private sectors, all segments of civil society and the general population in hazard prone areas. CDM involves risk reduction & management and Integration of vulnerability assessment into the development planning process. (CDERA 2001, 2006)

CDEMA’s View of Green Economy Must view Green Economy as a business not business as usual In defining the enabling conditions that lead to sustainable development and poverty eradication: Propose the use of business concept of SWOT Analysis to inform our strategic approach to implementing a green economy Necessitates the integration of our approach to disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation. Requires a comprehensive view of risk Adoption of all sector approach to build resilience in our economies

SWOT Analysis STRENGTHS: THREATS: OPPORTUNITIES: WEAKNESSES: 1. Natural Capital 2. Water, Fisheries, Agriculture, Forestry (some countries) 3. Opportunity for Private/Public Partnership 4. Regional Cooperation Mechanism – CARICOM (CSME;CCCCC; CDEMA) WEAKNESSES: 1. Scarce Resources 2. Increasing Ecological Footprint 3. Implementation Paralysis 4. Small Size OPPORTUNITIES: 1. Water Resources 2. Tourism Renewable Energy 3. Food 4. Recycling and Waste Management 5. Energy Efficient Buildings & Equipment 6. Transportation THREATS: 1. Crime & Violence 2. Increasing debt 3. Environmental risks associated with climate change & disasters (both natural & man-made) - Vulnerability to these risk are known & documented but failure to implement mainstream adaptation & mitigation measures in policy and development planning

Examination of Issues Shaping Changes Decreased bio- diversity Climate Change Peak oil Prices Decreased bio- diversity Economic cost of environmental challenges Increased vulnerability

Risks Associated with an Unsustainable Society Access to clean water Food sufficiency Habitat loss Flooding and natural storms Economic instability

Promoting a Green Economy (Case study - City of Markham) 1 3 pillars of sustainability as foundation of any attempt to develop a green economy 1. Society 2. Economy 3. Environment Markham’s Greenprint Sustainability Plan ; www.markham.ca/sustainability

Promoting a Green Economy (Case study - City of Markham) 3 pillars contains 12 integrated sustainability priorities 1. Social equity 2. Identity and culture 3. Individual health 4. Shelter 5. Food security 6. Access and Mobility 7. Education and skills 8. Economic vibrancy 9. Material management- based on zero material waste 10. Water efficiency 11. Ecosystem integrity 12. Energy & climate – objective of zero energy, water waste and emissions by 2050

Promoting a Green Economy (Case study - City of Markham) 3 Implementation Periods 1. Foundation for Success: Short - term Focus (2010-2015)  Focus on developing strong community support and with all levels of government for positive sustainable change 2. Traction & Innovation : Medium- Term Focus (2015-2025)  Focus on implementation of projects & completion of some projects. The benefits (direct & indirect) of sustainability are seen and experience  Desired Level of sustainable performance approaching. 3. Adaptive & Resilient: Long- Term Focus (2025 +)

Promoting a Green Economy (Case study - City of Markham) Requirement for Realization of Sustainability Plan (50 to 100 year plan) 1. Strong Governance Framework  that clearly identifies roles and responsibilities over the duration of the plan and a cohesive community engagement strategy 2. Good Financial framework • Establish a revolving fund to be used for implementation • Develop a collaborative and integrated approach for pursuing grants from different levels of government and non-governmental, business and philanthropic organizations • Leveraging new financial tools and opportunities resulting from renewable energy production, energy and water conservation and carbon pricing • Building collaborations and partnerships to create efficiencies around purchasing, financing and borrowing

Integrating sustainability priorities and action with private sector Key Strategies for successful implementation of green economy Integrating sustainability priorities and action with private sector Creating a culture of innovation and leadership Effective Monitoring & Evaluation Shared responsibility Community level engagement

THE END THANK YOU Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA) Building #1, Manor Lodge Complex Lodge Hill, St. Michael Barbados Tel. (246) 425-0386; Fax: (246) 425-8854 Webpage: www.cdema.org