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Barbados
Overview
Barbados’ National Strategic Plan provides a framework for prosperity – with green and blue economy at the forefront.
Barbados has a diversified, serviced-based economy, underpinned by the tourism and international business sectors. Quality of life has risen over the years, but recent global financial and economic crises, dependency on imported fossil fuels, and changes in international development and financial policies have placed pressure on the country’s economy, society and environment. Limited access to natural resources, coupled with vulnerability to climate change as a small island developing state, contributes to its need to build a resilient economy that integrates ecological, economic and social well-being.
Barbados has a diversified, serviced-based economy, underpinned by the tourism and international business sectors. Quality of life has risen over the years, but recent global financial and economic crises, dependency on imported fossil fuels, and changes in international development and financial policies have placed pressure on the country’s economy, society and environment. Limited access to natural resources, coupled with vulnerability to climate change as a small island developing state, contributes to its need to build a resilient economy that integrates ecological, economic and social well-being.
The Government of Barbados has made strong commitments to sustainable development through social compacts with the private sector and trade unions, strategic frameworks, such as the National Sustainable Development Policy, the National Strategic Plan (2006-2025) (NSP) and 2007 Green Economy policy framework. The NSP provides a development framework with six strategic goals, including “Building a Green Economy: Strengthening the Physical Infrastructure and Preserving the Environment”.
Barbados then joined PAGE in 2016, to support the implementation of the NSP and other green economy objectives. After initial delays and a change in administration, PAGE officially re-engaged in late 2018 and key themes for PAGE work were confirmed in September 2019. These include green and blue jobs, youth engagement, environmental goods and services, greening/resource efficiency in industry, and strengthening individual and institutional capacity for Inclusive Green Economy (IGE) at the tertiary levels.
Sustainable Development
The scope of PAGE work in Barbados aims to contribute to the achievement of SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure), SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), SDG 13 (Climate Action), SDG 14 (Life Below Water), and SDG 17 (Partnerships).
COVID-19 & Green Recovery
As COVID-19 significantly affected both travel and supply chains, Barbados experienced a sharp economic crisis and high unemployment. As part of its economic recovery strategy, Barbados developed a proposal for additional PAGE support. Within this scope, PAGE will focus on boosting the circular economy and promoting green consumption and production practices as a key way forward. Activities will consist of developing a 5Rs policy and legislative framework with a 3–year implementation plan; designing a programme to support MSMEs in integrating circular, resource-efficient and sustainable consumption and production practices; establishing a local business compact and facilitating dialogue on circular economy and resource efficiency with the private sector through the engagement with the Chamber of Commerce and Industry; and institutionalizing a capacity-building programme for the public sector on sustainable consumption and production. PAGE will also institute a youth citizen engagement and education partnership programme to promote youth engagement and entrepreneurship in a green economic recovery.
PAGE Milestones
- 2016
Barbados joined PAGE
- 2017
Inception mission held to explore country priorities
- 2018
Change in Barbados administration
Multi-agency mission organised to re-engage government and lay the groundwork for a national stocktaking activity
- 2019
PAGE became a member of the UNDP Blue Economy Steering Committee
PAGE invited to be a partner in the national celebration of Environment Month 2019
PAGE partnered with GEF Small Grants Programme for the inaugural Small Island Future Fest
Cabinet approved PAGE’s workplan and its targeted outcomes
- 2020
Joint Programme proposal: Harnessing Blue Economy Finance for SIDS Recovery and Sustainable Development finalized, involving PAGE
The Throne Speech – a high-level policy statement – re-confirmed Barbados’ commitment to greening of the economy
Agreement developed with UWI and Government on Green and Blue Economy Learning Programme
Progress in 2020: A Snapshot
Reaffirming a Green Economy Pathway
PAGE re-engaged with Barbados in September 2019 through the Minister of Environment and National Beautification (MENB). […]
PAGE re-engaged with Barbados in September 2019 through the Minister of Environment and National Beautification (MENB). While programme activities aimed to launch in 2020, the COVID-19 impact on Barbados led to delays and a need for adaptation to support new priorities.
The planned stocktaking on green and blue economy was replaced by an assessment, scoping options and developing recommendations for boosting trade in environmental goods and services (EGS).
In September 2020, PAGE collaborated with the country’s Technical Focal Point for PAGE to provide input to MENB’s contribution and submission to the Governor-General Throne Speech. This policy statement marked an important moment, particularly in the context of 2020, reconfirming Barbados’ green economy aspirations.
Circular economy
PAGE contributed to the annual Prime Minister’s message for World Environment Day in June 2020, which presented a circular […]
PAGE contributed to the annual Prime Minister’s message for World Environment Day in June 2020, which presented a circular economy as the basis for a green economy transition. The statement included PAGE’s contribution to a Green and Blue Jobs Assessment for Barbados, and the potential for green jobs development via waste management initiatives and ecosystems restoration. The Minister’s message was published in two national newspapers both online and in print, reaching more than 300,000 readers.
PAGE also secured a new partnership with the Barbados Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) in 2020 and plans to develop a Green Awards programme are in progress with the MENB.
Collaborating for Green Finance
PAGE contributed to the successful development of the Joint Programme proposal Harnessing Blue Economy Finance for SIDS […]
PAGE contributed to the successful development of the Joint Programme proposal Harnessing Blue Economy Finance for SIDS Recovery and Sustainable Development, which supports the sustainable development of offshore fisheries resources, a priority requested by the Prime Minister of Barbados during the 2018 PAGE High-Level Mission.
The programme, developed jointly by UNDP, UNEP and FAO, will support the governments of Barbados, Grenada and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, in the development of financing strategies for a Blue Economy and in creating an enabling framework for investments in Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Using Blue Economy as an integral driver for resilient economic recovery and growth in the Eastern Caribbean, the programme emphasizes measures such as identifying policy and regulation gaps; methodology to identify opportunities; and defining a specific financing mechanism for Blue Economy initiatives to achieve resilient growth. The Joint Programme will upscale existing UN initiatives, such as PAGE, by involving the private sector and establishing a public-private consortium for blue investment.
Green jobs training
Through PAGE, eight government representatives, including members of PAGE’s Green and Blue Jobs Assessment Working Group […]
Through PAGE, eight government representatives, including members of PAGE’s Green and Blue Jobs Assessment Working Group for Barbados, participated in a training course on “Green Jobs for Sustainable Development: Concepts and Practices” in May 2020. An additional ten government representatives were trained on “Fostering Green Business Growth” in October.
Delivered by the ILO’s International Training Center, participants were able to share best practices of green entrepreneurship and jobs. The courses provided key lessons for ongoing and planned activities in Barbados — including refining the methodology for the country’s green and blue jobs assessment and developing an enabling environment for green jobs creation.
Curriculum for a green economy
An agreement was developed in 2020 to initiate a Green-Blue Economy Learning Programme aiming to develop individual and […]
An agreement was developed in 2020 to initiate a Green-Blue Economy Learning Programme aiming to develop individual and institutional capacities in Barbados and among other SIDS on green and blue economy and sustainable development. The programme will be developed through PAGE with the Cave Hill Campus of the University of West Indies (UWI Cave Hill) and the Government of Barbados, with initial activities focusing on a feasibility study, the establishment of a SIDS-SIDS Green Economy Knowledge Hub, and a Green-Blue Economy Learning Needs Assessment.