1. 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

2. 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

3. 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

4. Caribbean Environment

5. Caribbean EnvironmentX P R I N C S

6. 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

7. 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)

8. 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

9. Promoting Disaster Risk Management
Through Existing Comprehensive Disaster Management (CDM) Strategy & Programming Framework
Comprehensive Disaster Management (CDM) Strategy

10. 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)

11. 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

12. 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

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

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

15. 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 ;

16. 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

17. Promoting a Green Economy (Case study - City of Markham)
3 Implementation Periods
1. Foundation for Success: Short - term Focus ( )
 Focus on developing strong community support and with all levels of government for positive sustainable change
2. Traction & Innovation : Medium- Term Focus ( )
 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 +)

18. 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

19. 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

20. THE END
THANK YOU
Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA)
Building #1, Manor Lodge Complex
Lodge Hill, St. Michael
Barbados
Tel. (246) ; Fax: (246)
Webpage: