PM Thomas meets with Foreign Secretary Hague ahead of UK-Caribbean Forum

By Michael Bascombe

ST GEORGE’S, Grenada, January 20, 2012 - Prime Minister Tillman Thomas is hoping that this weekend’s seventh UK-Caribbean Forum being hosted in Grenada will result in a clearer understanding of key issues important in the strengthening of relations between the Caribbean and the United Kingdom.

Prime Minister Thomas made the comments during a brief discussion with UK’s Foreign Secretary Williams Hague on Friday.

Mr Hague is leading a large UK delegation to the Forum which begins on Friday evening with a welcome reception at the Grenadian by Rex Resorts.

The Prime Minister thanked the visiting Foreign Minister for the UK’s continued assistance to the Caribbean especially in areas of security, climate change and development aid.

Mr Hague also congratulated Grenada on its leadership role on climate change during its tenure as Chair of the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS).

“Climate change remains a global responsibility and we admired the leading role Grenada played in recent climate change talks,” he said.

The Foreign Secretary, who was accompanied by the Director of the Americas Angus Lapsley, also met with Foreign Affairs Minister Karl Hood.

Prime Minister Thomas presented a painting of the Carenage by Grenadian resident and well known artist Susan Mains while the Mr Hague presented a hardcover copy of his book “William Wilberforce: The Life of the Great Anti-Slave Trade Campaigner.

Grenada to receive German-funded Climate Change Projects

by Michael Bascombe

DURBAN, South Africa, December 6, 2011 – Grenada is one of two countries selected to benefit from a pilot programme being offered by Germany to cope with the effects of climate change.

Foreign Affairs Minister Karl Hood on Tuesday signed a €5 million (EC$18 million) joint ministerial declaration to fund natural resource management projects. Mali is the other country to benefit from the German-funded programme.

Also participating in the signing were Germany’s Minister for Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety, Nobert Roettgen and Minister for Environment and Water Sanitation of Mali, Tiemoko Sangare.

The four-year project will among other things improve planning, management and efficient use of water resources through the establishment of integrated water resource management approaches to meet the demand of reliable and sustainable freshwater supply in a changing climate.

It will also increase adaptive capacity of communities through the implementation of pilot community based adaptation activities on the mainland and in Carriacou and Petite Martinique and enable access to public and private funding for climate change measures.

The Grenadian Minister said that the project targets both government and the sectors and communities already being impacted by climate change. Communities will also benefit from improved services associated with stronger national institutions and service providers.

“It is within this context that this Pilot Programme on Integrated Adaptation Strategies, in Grenada, will address the gaps and contribute to improving climate resilience at the national and sectoral levels through an integrated strategic approach to adaptation to climate change,” he said.

He said the adaptation project seeks to promote an integrated approach to water resources and coastal zone management, mainstreaming climate change considerations into the water and coastal resource sector. 

“It is our hope that at the end of this programme, we would be able to incorporate climate change issues in the national planning process and investment decisions of key relevant ministries,” he added. 

“I am also convinced that the proposed pilot programme will have to be ‘country led and country driven’ and will create and excellent opportunity to share lessons learnt and best practice with other small island states.”

Tuesday’s signing came after the visit of a scoping mission to Grenada at the end of October where consultations were held with key stakeholders including Ministries, private sector and non-governmental organisations to agree on areas of intervention and adaptation.

Consideration was also given to the key areas identified by the climate change policy which included water resource management, coastal management and data management.

Grenada to get China assistance in Climate Change Adaptation

by Michael Bascombe

DURBAN, South Africa, December 5, 2011 - Grenada is to benefit from a multi-million dollar Chinese project aimed at adapting to climate change.

Under an AOSIS- China Climate Change Adaptation Pilot Programme (CAAP), Grenada will receive more than two million US dollars in technology assistance in the first tranche, over a five-year period.

The announcement was made on Monday by China’s Vice Minister of the National Development and Reform Commission, Xie Zhenhua, on the sidelines of the 17^th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP17) to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in Durban, South Africa.

The project is characterised by a capitalised Revolving Fund as the key mechanism to help Small Island Developing States (SIDS) adapt to climate change.

Grenada’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Karl Hood said that the technology transfer revolving fund/CAAP would provide private and public sector agencies in SIDS, with financing for the acquisition of hardware, equipment and training from China, on loans, with repayment linked to the savings in fuel imports.

“Such upfront financing is considered critical to the successful development of a sustainable energy sector in SIDS,” he said.

“South-South cooperation is not new and China has consistently demonstrated this,” said Minister Hood. “What is new, additional and is very promising, is the application of these efforts to climate change and climate change adaptation, mitigation and financing.”

The immediate beneficiaries of the project are major public buildings including the Ministerial and Financial Complexes, Hospitals and Police and Fire Stations.

Lighting and cooling technologies will be implemented under the first phase of the project with the replacement of the current T12 (40 watts 4 feet long) fluorescent bulbs with the LED equivalent and fitted with an adaptor that allows it to be slotted into an existing T12 fitting.

More than 20,000 LED equivalents will replace the fluorescent bulbs and about 1,000 incandescent 100 watts (screw fitting) bulbs used for exterior security lighting with the LED equivalent with photocells, according to Energy and Sustainable Development Advisor, Hugh Sealy.

The plan is also to replace existing High Pressure Sodium street lamps with the LED equivalent. The Grenada Electricity Company Ltd (GRENLEC), at the request of the Government of Grenada, installs between 600 to 900 new streetlights per year. Currently there are approximately 8,000 streetlights installed in Grenada.

It is hoped that Grenada can request approximately 3,000 LED streetlights. However, a pilot programme is requested before moving to full procurement. GRENLEC will also require a service contract with the supplier.

Sealy said that Grenada is also interested in the use of solar technology to achieve space cooling. “It’s estimated that up to 50 percent of the energy costs for buildings is for air-conditioning,” he said. “We are particularly interested in using solar hot water and absorption chillers for air-conditioning.”

Initially, the Financial and Ministerial Complexes will be targeted in the CAAP.

Grenada signs concept agreement for Climate Change Projects

St. George’s, November 1, 2011 - Environment Minister, the Hon. Joseph Gilbert, on Monday October 31, signed a five (5) million Euro "concept agreement'' for projects in climate change with German Government representative, Michael Scholze.

Mr. Scholze, who is leading a visiting mission to Grenada, signed the agreement on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety.

One of the main objectives of the new programme will be to deliver funds to local communities in Grenada to help them combat and adapt to the adverse effects of climate change, such as droughts and sea level rise.

The concept agreement is titled “Programme of Integrated Adaptation Strategies in Grenada.”

 Mr. Scholze and his appraisal mission team, comprising representatives from the German Development Agency known as GIZ, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Climate Analytics, spent over a week in Grenada to jointly develop, with their Grenadian partners, an overall concept for the project. The exercise included a national stakeholders' consultation process.

The programme concept will be used by GIZ and UNDP as the basis for the preparation of their project offer that will be presented for consideration and approval to the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety.

Four proposed components for the programme – including the setting up of a Community Climate Change Adaptation Fund – were developed to utilize the 5 million Euros – EC$19 million – promised by Germany.

Component 1:         Strategic national approach to integrating and mainstreaming climate

resilience across sectors.

Component 2:          Climate resilient integrated Water and Coastal Resource Management.

Component 3:     Implementing pilot adaptation and climate resilience activities on the ground supporting communities to improve livelihoods and combat the effects of droughts, extreme floods and sea level rise.

Component 4:            Knowledge management and establishment of capacity to access climate

Finance.

The project will support an integrated approach to water and coastal resource management, mainstreaming climate change considerations into the water and coastal resource sector.

Included in the overall objectives of the programme are fostering inter-sectoral coordination and collaboration, and implementing concrete on-the-ground measures for climate change risk management in highly vulnerable communities.

Apart from a national consultation held on October 27 to develop the general concept of the project, the visitors’ itinerary included a field trip throughout the island and interviews with various government officials and technical partners. Several sites affected and vulnerable to future climate change were visited.

PHOTO: Joseph Gilbert and Michael Scholze shake hands after signing concept agreement

SOURCE: Kareen Morain, Ministry of Environment, Foreign Trade and Export Development

Grenadian Minister praises staff support, looks forward to tenure

St. George’s, October 31, 2011 – Minister for Environment, Foreign Trade and Export Development,  Hon. Joseph Gilbert,  is “extremely happy with the level of support’’ he has been getting from management and staff since taking up his new assignment at the Ministry about three weeks ago.

Mr. Gilbert was warmly received at the Ministry on his first day on the job, with staff putting on a “sumptuous welcoming breakfast.’’

Since then, Mr. Gilbert has been treated to several briefing sessions, and  said he is “looking forward to having as good a tenure in this new Ministry as I had in the Ministry of Works.’’

He held the Works’ portfolio for three years until an October 7 Cabinet reshuffle in which Prime Minister Tillman Thomas moved Mr. Gilbert to the Ministry for Environment, Foreign Trade and Export Development. The new Minister for Works, Physical Development and Public Utilities is Senator Dennoth Modeste.

Among Minister Gilbert’s most recent briefing sessions was one held last Friday, October 28, with climate change negotiators, Dr. Spencer Thomas and Mr. Leon Charles. The two have been very instrumental in asserting Grenada's role as an important world leader on climate change matters.

Others participating in last Friday’s briefing with the Minister were Dr. Bill Hare, Technical Consultant to the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS), and Acting Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of the Environment, Ms. Helen Roden.

Grenada currently holds the chairmanship of AOSIS and has been intimately involved in meetings of COP – the Conferences of the Parties – where assessment is done annually on progress being made in dealing with climate change.

Minister Gilbert is due to sit as chair for the group of countries in the upcoming COP 17 climate change negotiations and meeting in Durban, South Africa, later this year.

At the Durban meeting, the Minister will also sign an important bilateral agreement with Germany. Under the agreement, Grenada will receive five million Euros – about EC$19 million – in grant funds.

The money will be used to undertake several climate change adaptation projects in Grenada, starting next year.

These projects, according to Minister Gilbert, would be implemented through the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Germany's Society for International Cooperation (GIZ).

Left – right are Dr. Bill Hare, Dr. Spencer Thomas, Minister Joseph Gilbert, Mr. Leon Charles and Permanent Secretary, Helen Roden.


Source: Kareen Morain, Ministry of Environment, Foreign Trade & Export Development.

Grenada to benefit from five million euros for climate change projects

St. George’s, 26 October, 2011 - Grenada is one of two countries that will benefit from five million Euros – approximately EC$19 million – in bilateral support for climate change adaptation projects from the Government of Germany.
German environmental specialists met with Minister of Environment Hon. Joseph Gilbert on Monday and have been meeting with various stakeholders (government and civil society) in Grenada to discuss project ideas and proposals and to hold a national stakeholder consultation.
The opportunity for bilateral funding first presented itself at a climate change meeting held recently in Panama City, Panama, where Grenada was selected along with Mali as one of two pilot study countries.
Support to Grenada came because of its current position as Chairman of the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS).
The German scoping mission is following up on initial contact made in Panama, to identify in an inclusive, party driven manner adaptation projects that are “on the ground”, "visible" and most importantly "sustainable" that both governments through their Ministries of Environment could support.
Pertinent “adaptation” projects to address issues relating to the devastating impact of climate change on vulnerable sectors in the Tri-Island state will be discussed and crystallized into projects to be implemented through the United Nation Development Programme (UNDP) and Germany’s Society for International Cooperation (GIZ). Cross cutting issues like capacity building, environmental awareness and education will also be discussed.
UNDP is the United Nations’ global development network, advocating for change and connecting countries to knowledge, experience and resources to help people build better lives. GIZ supports the German Government in achieving its objectives in the field of international cooperation for sustainable development.
The Ministry of Environment, Foreign Trade and Export Development has been working in collaboration with the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to organize the meetings and gather feedback.
The mission is headed by Mr. Michael Scholze of GIZ and includes Ms Diana Salvemine (UNDP Adaptation specialist); Dr Bill Hare and Ms Henrike Doebert (Climate Analyst), Dr Renold Murray (UNDP) and Ms Margit Potgieter (Honorary Consul of the Federal Republic of Germany in Grenada).

PHOTO: Minister for the Environment Hon Joseph Gilbert flanked by Ag. Permanent Secretary Helen Roden, Ministry of Environment Staff and German Environmental Officials

SOURCE: Kareen Morain, Ministry of Environment, Foreign Trade & Export Development

Grenada: Capacity of Small Island States to pursue development agenda limited

NARR: The capacity of small-island developing States (SIDS), to effectively move towards the achievement of their development objectives in the areas of transport, waste management, chemicals, mining and sustainable consumption and production patterns must be viewed against the backdrop of the ongoing effects of the recent economic and financial crisis.  That's what Grenada's Representative Ambassador Dessima Williams told Commission on Sustainable Development as it began a session aimed at taking policy decisions on practical measures to bolster implementation on five areas: again transport, waste management, chemicals, mining and sustainable consumption and production patterns; and the increasing volatility of the prices of food, fuel and other commodities on which their economies of small island developing states are heavily dependent.  Speaking on behalf of the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS), Ambassador Williams said this increasing volatility bears heavily on the economies of small developing states in addition to the burden of the impacts of Climate Change. And she noted that challenges such as these have undoubtedly depleted the already limited capacities of AOSIS to pursue their overall development agenda.

WILLIAMS: AOSIS will continue to make known its priority issues within the key thematic clusters during these two weeks of the CSD proper, but today, we would like to take the opportunity to briefly highlight some of these main issues. Transport and communication are the life lines of the SIDS within their own countries, as well as with each other and the outside world. Furthermore, the impacts of climate change have severe negative effects on the transport capacity of SIDS, given the close proximity of our transport infrastructure to the coast and rising sea-levels. This year, the Secretary General's report on "Policy options and actions for expediting progress in implementation: transport" states that transport and mobility are essential preconditions for sustainable development. Clearly transport remains at the heart of sustainable development and SIDS remain at a disadvantage which makes this a major impediment to the growth of the SIDS economies. These factors, in addition to the geographical remoteness which characterises most SIDS, mean that transportation costs are quite exorbitant, and constrain these states' ability to provide reliable and efficient air, land and maritime transport services.

NARR: Ambassador Williams stressed that AOSIS looked forward to the Outcome Document reflecting the prioritization of adequate and sustained international support to address the high and increasing costs of transport services and communication in small island developing states, through support for improved infrastructure and networks and climate proofing. This, she said, is especially so given that the Commission on Sustainable Development is the primary intergovernmental forum for monitoring the implementation of the Mauritius Strategy and the Barbados Programme of Action.

WILLIAMS: SIDS are committed to efficient management of waste, and while significant progress has been reported for some SIDS, research shows otherwise . There remain numerous challenges which must be addressed as a matter of urgency given the negative effects which poor waste management practices are having on the sustainability of marine areas, health, food supplies and tourism in SIDS. One major challenge has been the flooding of waste disposal sites due to their proximity to coastal areas. The trans-boundary movement of hazardous wastes and chemicals also affects the marine ecosystems of SIDS given that their economic and environmental sustainability and livelihoods are intrinsically linked with the sea. It is for this reason that more effective regional mechanisms have to be developed to protect SIDS' oceans and coastal zones from ship-generated wastes and challenges posed by the transboundary movement of hazardous material.

NARR: Ambassador Williams said SIDS supported the recommendation of an earlier Commission on Sustainable Development Intersessional Conference on Building Partnerships for Moving Towards Zero Waste for the promotion of the 3R's leading to the reduction of waste at its sources and the reduction of the total volume of waste requiring disposal, as well as the reuse and recycle of waste. And on the subject of chemicals:

WILLIAMS: The use of Chemicals continues to be necessary in the economic development of all countries, including Small Island Developing States (SIDS). Therefore, the need to manage chemicals in an environmentally sound manner as highlighted in Agenda 21 and in the Johannesburg Plan of Implementation remains relevant to this day. We continue to support the effective implementation of the main chemicals-related Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAS), namely the Stockholm, Basel and Rotterdam Conventions as well as the Montreal Protocol. However, the fulfillment of all the obligations under many of these treaties remains a major challenge for developing countries, especially Small Island Developing States. In this regard, we request that a comprehensive global financing strategy for chemicals be developed as a matter of priority to support implementation of these MEAs by developing country Parties. It is also necessary to further enhance the support given to regional technical centres designated under the Basel and Stockholm Conventions so that they can effectively respond to the needs of their constituents.

NARR: Grenada's Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Dessima Williams.  This is Donn Bobb reporting.

Minister Hood attends Climate Change meeting in Tokyo

TOKYO, Japan, March 3, 2011 - Environment Minister Karl Hood is attending the 9^th Informal Meeting on Further Actions against Climate Change which opened on Thursday in Japan.

Mr Hood, who also holds ministerial responsibilities for Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade and Export Development, will be making a presentation on Adaptation and leading the discussion on further actions to be taken following the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Cancun, Mexico last December.

The two-day meeting, jointly organised by the governments of Japan and Brazil, is being attended by officials from around the world.

Speaking ahead of the meeting, the UNFCCC Executive Secretary Christiana Figueres called on governments to quickly transform the Cancun Agreements, agreed at the UN Climate Change Conference in Mexico, into tangible action on the ground, and provide clarity on the future of the Kyoto Protocol.

“Governments must now implement quickly what they agreed in Cancun and take the next big climate step this year in Durban,” she said. 

Ms. Figueres described the outcome of the UN Climate Change Conference in Mexico as a solid step forward for strengthened global climate action, encompassing the basis for the largest collective effort the world has ever seen to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Minster Hood returns to Grenada on Sunday.

Venezuelan-funded projects to commence in January

by Michael Bascombe

ST GEORGE’S, Grenada, January 19, 2011 – Three Venezuelan-funded projects are expected to commence here this month, according to Foreign Affairs Minister Karl Hood.

In making his presentation to the 2011 Budget Debate on Wednesday, Mr Hood said that the second phase of the Hospital Project in St George’s; the main market square and a number of community projects including playing fields, upliftment programmes, community centre recreation activities and maintenance.

Two years ago Venezuela delivered on a promise and handed over 120 low cost houses to Grenada for distribution to persons displaced as a result of Hurricane Ivan in 2004.

Mr Hood said that following on the delimitation of boundaries with Trinidad and Tobago, Government will be pursuing areas of Ocean Management to maximise our marine resources.

“We will also be pursuing delimitations negotiations with Venezuela with whom we share common boundaries,” he said.

He noted Grenada’s leadership role among the 43-member Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS) and at the forefront of the struggle for climate justice and for positive outcomes at future summits of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

Mr Hood, who also holds portfolios for Environment, Foreign Trade and Export Development, said that the Ministry has secured funding and will implement four Climate Change projects in 2011.

They include the World Bank supported Pilot Project on Climate Resilience; the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA) project for Mainstreaming Climate Change in the Development Agenda; Water and Small Community Projects.

He said that the Ministry has submitted project proposals in excess of $30 million which are actively receiving consideration under various countries’ Adaptation Financing Programmes.

Delegates begin arriving for COP16 in Cancun

by Michael Bascombe

CANCUN, Mexico, November 26, 2010 - Members of the Grenada delegation have begun arriving to participate in the United Nations Climate Change Summit known as the Conference of the Parties (COP16) in the Mexican Resort city of Cancun. Lead negotiators Leon Charles and Dr Spencer Thomas, both of Grenada, have been chairing pre-sessional meetings on behalf of the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS).

The delegation, which will provide administrative and other logistical support for AOSIS and its 43 members, will also include government officials who will engage in bilateral meetings with other countries and organisations.

Among the objectives of the pre-conference meetings are to further prepare AOSIS delegates for participation in the Cancun negotiations as they sought clarity on negotiating strategies; political and diplomatic strategies as well as resource identification and mobilisation and fast start financing strategy.

The meetings, which are being held ahead of the official opening of the summit on November 29, are also reviewing proposals and positions from AOSIS member countries and identifying desired outcomes from the High Level Summit.

"We come here ready to work and on behalf of the Government and people of Grenada I extend appreciation for your continued confidence in the Chair of AOSIS," said Ambassador Dessima Williams, substantive chair of the grouping.

Delegates from AOSIS are also discussing reports from recent pre-COP meetings including the Ministerial meeting hosted by Grenada earlier this month.

The Chair of AOSIS, Prime Minister Tillman Thomas, is expected to join the delegation on December 4.

Prime Minister regrets the resignation of MP Michael Church

From the Office of the Prime Minister

ST. GEORGE’S, GRENADA; MONDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2010 – Prime Minister Hon. Tillman Thomas has expressed regret over the resignation of Mr. Michael Church, as a member of his Cabinet.

“It is always a traumatic experience for a government to lose one of its members, especially at a time when all hands are needed in the rebuilding of our nation,” the Prime Minister said.

He praised the former Minister of the Environment, Foreign Trade and Export Development for his leadership of the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS) and his contribution to the fight against global warming in the International arena.

The Prime Minister expressed his appreciation to Mr. Church for his service to the Administration.

“I thank MP Michael Church for his contribution to my administration over the past two years. We have committed to continue working together for the development of the St. John’s constituency and the country,” the Prime Minister said Monday.

He wished Mr. Church well in his future endeavors and hopes that his ministerial contribution will help to inform his contribution to the policies of the administration in Parliament.

AOSIS calls for urgent action to transform global economy

ST GEORGE’S, Grenada, November 4, 2010 - The Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS) believes that the prospects for a significant outcome at this month’s Climate Change Conference in Cancun, Mexico have increased following a two-day meeting hosted by Grenada.

Foreign Affairs Minister Peter David told delegates at the closing session that the productive engagement has increased the possibility of a strong agreed outcome in Cancun on the basis of strengthened confidence, greater thrust and maximum agreement towards a positive outcome.

“The exchange of perspectives have allowed us to move closer and improved the environment and possibility of successful outcomes when we get to Cancun,” he said.

“We fully expect to continue this dialogue over the next week and leading up to Cancun. I feel confident that these discussions will enhance our decisions in Cancun as we will be building on a number of advances”.

More than 100 delegates including non-AOSIS members and partner organisations participated in the informal Ministerial meeting at the Grenada Grand Beach Resort which was co-hosted by Mexico and Grenada.

David said that the meeting also saw the urgent need to transform the global economy to low carbon to minimise the threat and impact of Climate Change.

“Our survival is dependent on transforming the global energy sector from high carbon emission to low carbon or carbon neutral,” he said.

“We are therefore absolutely delighted by the words spoken by our friends at the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and World Bank in support of our Sustainable Energy Initiative partnership – SIDS DOCK - and we ask our friends from the developed countries to also consider supporting the partnership”.

He said that based on the positive responses from the UNDP and World Bank as well as from other countries, AOSIS and its partners will embark on a path to develop and sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in Cancun for the first phase of SIDS DOCK development.

“We have matured a great deal because of the lessons we would have learnt at Copenhagen and since Copenhagen. Thus, there is no value for us, the AOSIS Family, to engage in lamenting Copenhagen,” said Grenada’s Environment Minister Michael Church.

“Instead, we must embrace those lessons on the eve to Cancun by constantly bringing realism to our approaches and expectations”.

AOSIS continues to lend moral voice to the climate negotiations, especially emphasising the need to address global equity and climate divide issues, and in defining a clear vision and call to action.

Grenada to host AOSIS Ministerial Meeting

ST GEORGE’S, Grenada, October 17, 2010 - Grenada will host a Ministerial meeting of the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS) next month.

The meeting, scheduled for the Grand Beach Hotel in St George’s on November 1-2, will involve Environment Ministers from the 43 AOSIS countries.

They will be updated on the current state of the negotiations and to assess and to agree on a common AOSIS position going into the sixteenth Conference of the Parties (COP 16) scheduled for Cancun, Mexico.

Grenada’s Ambassador to the United Nations and Chair of AOSIS, Dr Dessima Williams said that the meeting will also engage negotiating partners with AOSIS’ positions and to ensure that there is a common understanding.

“The meeting is very important as a way to caucus each other and to develop a consensus position for the December meeting,” said Ambassador Williams.

“We have invited the 43-member Ministers from AOSIS countries which include 19 from the Caribbean region, 14 from the Pacific region and about 10 from the African and Indian Ocean region,” she said.

The Grenadian diplomat said that AOSIS has very clear positions for a comprehensive outcome in Cancun and very high ambitious levels of bringing down carbon emissions in the atmosphere.

“It’s not likely that any one group of countries will get all that they want but I think the meeting in Tianjin, China (United Nations Climate Change Conference, October 4-9, 2010) showed us that countries are ready to take some decisions toward a legally binding outcome, toward finance, toward capacity building and toward forestry regime for emissions”.

The COP 16 and the sixth Conference of the Parties serving as the meeting of the Parties to the Kyoto Protocol (CMP 6) will be held in Cancun, Mexico, from November 29 to December 10, 2010.

Grenada urges fast start to climate change financing

NEW YORK, September 27, 2010 – Grenada’s Environment Minister, Michael Church is urging developed countries to make good on their fast-start financing pledges for climate change mitigation, adaptation, technology development and transfer and capacity building.

Minister Church reiterated the position of Grenada and the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS) during a meeting in New York with European Commissioner for Climate Action Connie Hedegaard.

“We need to put the issue of fast-start financing on the table and get rapid results,” said Minister Church while acknowledging the long and tedious negotiations.

“We need to agree in Cancun (COP-16) some sort of practical arrangement that will manage the architecture of long-term climate change financing”.

Commissioner Hedegaard said that the overall challenge is to agree on a balanced package for Cancun. “The fast-start funding is essentially important and also provides the platform for concrete projects in the lead-up to Cancun,” said Hedegaard, who hosted the U.N. Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen last year on behalf of Denmark.

Both officials agreed that the COP-15 in Copenhagen was not a total failure but instead an initial step toward a binding agreement.

“It’s not fair to say it was a total failure but as lessons learnt in Copenhagen and must now look at it as an ongoing process,” said Mr. Church, who was accompanied by Permanent Secretary Sally Anne Bagwhan Logie.

Earlier this month, the Netherlands, backed by the U.N. and partner nations, launched a website, www.faststartfinance.org, to help "fast-start" the $30 billion in climate aid, pledged by richer countries in 2009.

So far, six European donors, including Denmark, Germany and Britain, have entered cash promises.

Fast-start finance will support immediate action on climate change and kick start mitigation and adaptation efforts in developing countries. It will not only enhance implementation of the Convention by developing countries between now and 2012 but also aims to help them prepare for sustained implementation beyond 2012.

Grenada will be hosting an AOSIS Ministerial Meeting in November and Minister Church is anticipating the formulation of a reasonable agenda in preparation for the Mexico meeting.

Minister Church held encouraging talks with Japan

NEW YORK, September 23, 2010 – Japan has reaffirmed its commitment to work with Grenada, in its capacity as chair of the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS) to work towards an outcome at the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) meeting in Mexico later this year and to seek tangible results.

This commitment was reiterated during a meeting on Thursday between Minister of Environment, Foreign Trade and Export Development and a delegation from Japan’s Foreign Affairs Ministry.

Discussions centred on the thematic area of Climate Change and specifically, a request by the Government of Grenada for the funding of five projects including Batway Sandstone Reef, Waste Management, Forestry, Marine Resource Mapping and Water.

“We are seeing progress in our discussions with Japan and I am hopeful that we will soon see the results of our negotiations with the Japanese,” said Minister Church.

The meeting was also attended by Permanent Secretary, Sally Anne Bagwhan Logie, Ambassador Dessima Williams and Dr. Al Binger, Advisor to the AOSIS Secretariat.

Meanwhile, a delegation from Grenada on behalf of AOSIS will travel to Tianjin, China from September 29 to October 9, to participate in a preparatory meeting for the UNFCCC COP-16 meeting in Cancun, Mexico.

Grenada is scheduled to host an AOSIS Ministerial meeting in November.

UNDESA to assist Grenada in Climate Change Project

NEW YORK, September 23, 2010 – Grenada is getting assistance from the United Nations Department of Economic and Sustainable Affairs (UNDESA) for the implementation of a project to integrate climate change into National Sustainable Development Strategies.

Minister of Environment, Foreign Trade and Export Development, Michael Church on Wednesday met with Dr Kathleen Abdalla and Dr. Ivan Vera of UNDESA, on the margins of the 65th Session of the General Assembly of the United Nations in New York.

“We discussed the possibilities of solarising a number of schools as part of a pilot project to be undertaken within the broader project and the offering of a number of scholarships to locals in the area of environmental management,” said Minister Church.

He said his delegation also discussed the training of local persons in the technical management of the solar systems.

UNDESA officials conducted a training workshop in Grenada last month to prepare stakeholders in the use of a matrix to capture data relevant to the project.

Among the priority areas identified for the project are water, infrastructure and tourism.

A second workshop is scheduled for February 2011 and it will review the progress made and an assessment of critical areas.

The Minister was accompanied to the meeting by Mrs Sally Anne Bagwhan Logie, acting Permanent Secretary.

Photo: From left – Dr. Kathleen Abdalla, Minister Michael Church, Sally Anne Bagwhan Logie & Dr. Ivan Vera (CREDIT: Michael Bascombe)

PM Thomas makes appeal on behalf of vulnerable countries

NEW YORK, September 22, 2010 - Prime Minister Tillman Thomas has reiterated an appeal for special support for small economies like Grenada.

Mr. Thomas made a special case for Grenada while meeting with Norway’s Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg on the margins of the 65th Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

The Prime Minister elaborated on the vulnerabilities of small island states, citing recent catastrophes which affected Caribbean nations including Grenada and Haiti.

“Small economies like ours are severely affected by various factors including extreme weather patterns, and the international community must be prepared to play a role in assisting,” said Prime Minister Thomas.

Prime Minister Thomas shares the view that the social, economic and natural systems of Small Island Developing States (SIDS) are among the most vulnerable in the world and therefore, the particular vulnerabilities warrant special treatment.

The two leaders reaffirmed their support for the climate agenda and pledged to continue working with all stakeholders.

Mr. Stoltenberg and the Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi are the co-chairs of the UN High-level Advisory Group on Climate Change Financing in developing countries.

Appointed by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, the group shall mobilise the resources promised at the Copenhagen Climate Summit last December.

According to the Copenhagen Agreement reached at the end of the December summit, developed countries will raise up to US$30 billion for the period 2010-2012 and a total of $100 billion annually from 2020.

The agreement also stated that countries will work to limit the temperature increase to 2 degrees Celsius, and implement efforts to reduce or limit the emission of greenhouse gases.

The new UN climate group will draw up practical proposals for the financing of emission cuts and adaptation strategies.

In addition to Stoltenberg and Zenawi, the group includes Guyana’s President Bharrat Jagdeo and ministers and economists from a number of countries.

The UN climate group will present its final report before the next UN climate summit, in Mexico in December.

Photo: Prime Minister Tillman Thomas speaks with Norway’s Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg during a bilateral meeting in New York (CREDIT: Michael Bascombe)

Grenada and Australia to deepen diplomatic relations

NEW YORK, September 20, 2010 – Australia has agreed to set up a Consular Mission in Grenada.

This was among issues discussed between Grenada’s Prime Minister Tillman Thomas and Australia’s Foreign Affairs Minister Kevin Rudd during a meeting held on Monday in New York.

The two officials held talks on the margins of the 65th Session of the United Nations General Assembly which opened last week.

“They will assign someone to deal with diplomatic matters - someone in the capacity of an honorary consul – and this I think again is quite significant,” said Prime Minister Thomas.

He said that they discussed continued support as well as strengthened relations between Grenada and Australia in other areas.

“We discussed several matters but the matter I was keen on discussing with him (Kevin Rudd) was the continued support for the restoration of the Parliament in Grenada,” he said.

“He gave the assurance that nothing has changed”.

The Australian delegation, which also included Philip Green, Chief of Staff in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, provided an outline of areas of cooperation between both countries.

“We have a rock solid commitment to deliver assistance to Grenada,” said Green.

Minister Rudd also stated that Australia will look out for the interest of Grenada and other CARICOM countries, especially through the High-Level UN Secretary General panels on climate change and sustainable economic and social development.

“Australia will continue to argue for the integration of CARICOM,” said Rudd. “We look forward to taking our bilateral relationship with Grenada further,” Rudd added. He also said that Australia sees their friends in the Caribbean as important and that his government would continue working to strengthen our relationships.

Australia has committed approximately US$100 million to Small Island Developing States (SIDS) at the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen, Denmark in 2009, with 25 percent already delivered. The Australians have also supported a Young Diplomats programme, academic scholarships in various subject areas and provided assistance with disaster preparedness and response and sports development.

The Grenada delegation to Monday’s bilateral meeting also included Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Dessima Williams and Mr. Gerry Hopkins, Advisor to the Prime Minister.

Accompanying Minister Rudd at the meeting were Green; Peter Baxter, Director General of Australia Agency for International Development; Sally Watson, Advisor; and Caroline Millar, First Assistant Secretary and Head of UN Security Council Task Force.

International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer 2010

Minister’s Address

Hon. Michael Church, Minister with responsibility for the Environment

September 16 is designated the International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer. This Protocol, along with its predecessor, the Vienna Convention, is the international response to the problem of Ozone Depletion agreed to following inter-governmental negotiations dating as far back as 1981.

After twenty-three years of constantly refining the participation of the entire family of the United Nations in caring for the health of the Ozone Layer; the United Nations has decided to focus, more pointedly, on issues of governance as they relate to environmental protection.

It is partially for this reason that this year’s commemoration is being held under the theme: Ozone Layer Protection: Governance and Compliance at their best.

The Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer ranks as one of the great success stories of international environmental diplomacy. There is a widely held scientific view that without this Protocol, we were poised to lose about 70% of the Earth’s ozone cover by 2050.

Greater compliance with the principles and practices of ozone conservation is a guaranteed insurance for the increased longevity of the human species on this planet. Thus, notwithstanding the historically impressive performance of all the signatories to the Protocol, the call for even more aggressive pro-ozone actions must be pursued with greater vigour to compensate for the failings of other climate change related initiatives.

Grenada and other members of the Montreal Protocol community have many accomplishments to celebrate over the past year – a year in which major milestones in the history of the Protocol were achieved.

Not only has the Montreal Protocol been able to achieve universal ratification by all United Nations member states – a feat never before achieved by any other multi-lateral agreement – but the Montreal Protocol has been able to meet its final target of phasing out the production and consumption of CFCs, halons and carbon tetrachloride in 2010.

These successes achieved and lessons learnt are instructive in the context of global climate change discussions. The Ozone Depleting Substances phase-out program has already provided and is continuing to provide significant climate protection benefits.

The Montreal Protocol is in a very real sense a “Climate Protection” treaty too. Studies have shown that by phasing out Chlorofluorocarbons (CFC’s), Hydro chlorofluorocarbons (HCFC’s) and other chemicals under the Montreal Protocol more than five (5) giga tons- equivalent of carbon dioxide (CO2) have already been eliminated –representing more than 25% of the worlds Green House Gas emissions. This surpasses the Kyoto Protocol’s target of reducing Green House Gases (GHG’s) by five (5) times.

While we may be gratified by these achievements, I must hasten to add that we should not become complacent by these efforts. The next two years ahead marks a critical period for all developing countries. It is the period when Grenada and other developing countries would be involved in the preparation and initiation of phase-out management plans for another group of chemicals – hydro chlorofluorocarbon (HCFCs).

Many challenges would be encountered, particularly in the following areas:

(i) Finding suitable long-term alternatives to replace HCFC refrigerants;

(ii) The Illegal trade in ozone depleting substances;

(iii) Developing more predictable financial support mechanisms to promote and sustain the ozone-friendly policies and programs required; and,

(iv) Destruction of Ozone Depleting Substances (ODS) banks in very low volume consuming countries (VLVCs).

Notwithstanding these inherent challenges, Grenada has had many good reasons to celebrate its Montreal Protocol achievements. Not only did we meet our Montreal Protocol obligations and targets but we were also able to reap benefits in the following areas:

(i) At the 22nd Meeting of the Parties in Port Ghlaib, Egypt in November 2009, Grenada was elected President of the Bureau to the 23 Meeting of the Parties. [Grenada was represented by the Honorable Minister with responsibility for the Environment];

(ii) Grenada was also elected to a permanent seat at the Executive Committee of the Multi-lateral Fund (MLF) for the Montreal Protocol for the fiscal year 2010;

(iii) Grenada was appointed co-chair of the Workshop on Quarantine and Pre-shipment uses of methyl bromide in Port Ghalib, Egypt; and,

(iv) Grenada was invited to the Advisory Group Meeting for the Compliance Assistance Program (CAP) of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Division of Technology, Industry and Energy in Paris, France in September 2010.

Grenada’s role in the global effort to safeguard the fragile stratospheric ozone layer is exemplary and commendable. At the international level, Grenada continues to attract the world’s adoration and respect for its performance in the global quest to heal the ozone layer.

In the conduct of our international service under the Montreal Protocol, we will continue to advocate for assistance for the earthquake stricken nation of Haiti. Grenada has successfully presented a proposal to the Executive Committee of the Multi-lateral Fund to approve special funding to assist Haiti in its recovery efforts.

We will continue in our efforts to meet our obligations under the Montreal Protocol. And while we may be proud of our efforts at this time, the job remains incomplete until the healing and the complete recovery of the ozone layer is realised.

Over the next few days several activities are organised by the National Ozone Unit to celebrate World Ozone Day. I encourage the entire nation to get involved and make a valuable contribution towards protecting our environment.

Remember! Whether we die or survive tomorrow depends on the kindness we extend to the ozone layer today.

It is with the greatest faith in our desire to reclaim Eden, that I now declare the activities to commemorate the International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer 2010 officially open.

Thank you.

The National Ozone Unit rewards Wesley College student

Submitted by the Ministry of Finance, Planning, Economy, Energy & Cooperatives

ST. GEORGE’S, GRENADA, Wednesday, September 15, 2010: At a brief ceremony during the morning assembly of the Wesley College Secondary School on Monday 13th September 2010, officials of the National Ozone Unit (NOU) in the Energy Division of the Ministry of Finance, made a special presentation to Jonissa Auguste, a student at the school.

Jonissa was awarded for creating a painting that was used in the Regional Network Calendar, the highlight of a Caribbean Regional Public Awareness activity organized by the National Ozone Officers of the English speaking Caribbean. Jonissa received a cheque for EC$500.00 and a certificate of recognition.

During Monday’s brief ceremony, Project Officer in the NOU, Mr. Leslie Smith, indicated that Jonissa’s work received international recognition through the worldwide distribution of the calendar.

The NOU also took the opportunity to make two presentations to the school body. They were presented with:

1) A billboard with the painting created by Jonissa. This billboard was unveiled at the school following the assembly; and

2) Porter size paintings of art – given to each classroom and the staffroom.

These presentations were all made as part of the week of activities leading up to International Ozone Day which will be celebrated on Thursday September 16, 2010, under the theme: “Ozone layer protection: governance and compliance at their best.”

Mr. Smith used the opportunity to remind the students and teachers of the need to protect the Ozone Layer and the effects to human health by destruction of the ozone layer. He advised them on protecting themselves from the damaging effects of the ozone layer depletion.