Barbados’ Green Economy Scoping Study: The Interplay of Built Environment,

Land Development and Water

Dr Adrian CashmanCentre for Resource Management and Environmental Studies

University of the West Indies, Barbados Campus

Green Growth Investment Forum ‘11Green 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 EconomyIntegrated 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 IndiesEducation & skilled workforceResearch & Development partner

Regional vulnerability & Climate Chnage

Natural Resources

Climate realitiesHigh endemism esp. Fauna &

threats from invasive speciesConversion & exploitation of

the natural environmentCoastal & 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 geographyConcentration of coastal

regionalsLife style impacts

resource use in homeswaste generation (disposal sites)

Water Aspects

Infrastructure coverage good Economic inputPublic health

But..Wastewater provisionInstitutional frameworks

Water Aspects

Energy useWater losses

Opportunities (Benefits)RWH & Resource use efficiencyWastewater servicesAgriculture use

End Notes

Examples of best practiceUnion IslandSt Lucia

NeedsKnowledge skills developmentDevelopment 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