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 EnvironmentEXPERIENCES

Caribbean LandscapeSignificant Hazard ExposureE

XPERIENCES

• 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-governme

ntal Agency

responsible for

disaster management in the Caribbean Communit

y (CARICOM

)

Formerly CDERA

1991- CDERA

established by an Agreement of

Heads of Government of CARICO

M

September 1, 2009 – CDERA

officially transitioned to CDEMA

Membership

comprises 18

Participating States (PS)

Newest PS- Haiti

and Surinam

e (joined

in Septem

ber 2009)

CDEMA Participating States

1. Anguilla2. Antigua and

Barbuda3. Bahamas4. Barbados5. Belize6. Virgin Islands7. Dominica8. Grenada9. Guyana

10. Haiti11. Jamaica12. Montserrat13. St. Kitts and Nevis14. Saint Lucia15. St Vincent & the

Grenadines16. Suriname17. Trinidad and Tobago18. 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

WEAKNESSES:

1. Scarce Resources 2. Increasing

Ecological Footprint

3. Implementation Paralysis

4. Small Size

OPPORTUNITIES:1. Water Resources

2. Tourism Renewable Energy3. Food

4. Recycling and Waste

Management5. Energy Efficient

Buildings & Equipment

6. Transportation

THREATS:1. Crime & Violence2. 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

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. Society2. Economy3. 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 equity2. Identity and culture3. Individual health4. Shelter5. Food security6. Access and Mobility7. Education and skills8. Economic vibrancy9. Material management- based on zero material waste10. Water efficiency11. Ecosystem integrity12. 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

3. Adaptive & Resilient: Long- Term Focus (2025 +) Desired Level of sustainable performance approaching.

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

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. MichaelBarbados

Tel. (246) 425-0386; Fax: (246) 425-8854Webpage: www.cdema.org