International Day for Biological Diversity- "Biodiversity and Climate Change"

The theme for the International Day for Biological Diversity (IBD) in 2007, which will be celebrated on 22 May is ‘Biodiversity and Climate Change’. This theme is very fitting as this topic has recently been given global attention and is supported by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.

As a Party to the Convention on Biological Diversity, Saint Lucia along with all other parties to the Convention, has been invited to begin their preparations for celebrating IBD 2007. A poster reflecting the year’s theme along with a brochure entitled "Biodiversity and Climate Change" and a series of fact sheets has been produced by the Secretariat to assist with public awareness.The National Focal Point which is based within the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries will receive those posters for distribution to the general public.

The Secretariat is also embarking on the preparation of a special issue of "GINCANA" devoted to Biodiversity and Climate Change. The magazine will be translated in the six official UN languages and distributed widely on the occasion of this year’s celebration of the International Day for Biological Diversity. All of these materials are available on the website of the Secretariat at: http://www.biodiv.org/programmes/outreach/awareness/biodiv-day-2007.shtml.

A Press Release and messages marking the occasion from the United Nations Secretary-General and other dignitaries will be posted on this website when it becomes available.

An update on the Saint Lucia's Celebration will also be made available as the date draws near.

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Special Program on Adaptation to Climate Change (SPACC)

The Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre received a grant on behalf of Saint Lucia, the Commonwealth of Dominica and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines to undertake a Special Program on Adaptation to Climate Change. The Centre met with the World Bank on May 22, 2006 to negotiate and finalize the Global Environmental Facility (GEF) Agreement for the project. It was agreed that the GEF would provide 47% of the funding for the project, 20% would be donated and the three participating countries would contribute the remainder in-kind over the four-year life of the project.

The objective of the project is to provide the three participating countries with support in implementing specific pilot adaptation measures addressing primarily, the impacts of climate change on their natural resource base, focused on biodiversity and land degradation along near-coastal areas. This will be achieved through:

• The detailed design of pilot adaptation measures to reduce expected negative impacts of climate change on marine and terrestrial biodiversity and land degradation

• The implementation of pilot adaptation investments

It is anticipated that with the reduction of these impacts would result in:

• Protection of biodiversity

• Prevention of land degradation

• Induction of economic benefits in the tourism, fisheries, agriculture and forestry sectors

• Maintenance of the resource base upon which economic activities rely

• Promotion of climate resilient sustainable development

The experience gained through these local activities would assist and inform the policy decision-making process and would influence the enactment of climate resilient sustainable development policies.

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Report on One-Day Symposium on Climate Change and Food Production

A One-Day Symposium on Climate Change and Food Production was held at Cara Suites Hotel on July 21st 2005. The objective of the Symposium was to sensitize stakeholders in the Agriculture Sector about the potential impacts of climate change and to begin to identify possible response measures.

To find out more about the symposium click the bottom below to access the report:

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Energy Awareness Week 2006

In November 2006 the Sustainable Development & Environment Section of the Ministry of Physical Development Environment & Housing, held its annual Energy Awareness Week. The week was held under the theme, Energy Management for Sustainable Development.

The planning committee for Energy Awareness Week comprised of various agencies. Represented were the Saint Lucia Electricity Services Limited (LUCELEC), Caribbean Electricity Utility Services Corporation (CARILEC), Solar Dynamics, Public Utilities Department and the Electrical Department of the Ministry of Communication Works, Transport and Public Utilities, Caribbean Renewable Energy Development Program/ German Technical Arm (CREDP/GTZ) and this Section.

To find out more about the week and its activities, click the bottom below to access the report: