Jamaica has released two studies that chart a course for the country towards sustainable development through implementing inclusive green economy policies.
The studies, Green Economy Scoping Study for Jamaica and Vision 2030 Jamaica and Green Economy, were produced by the Jamaica government and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
The scoping study focuses on five key economic sectors -agriculture, tourism, construction, energy, and water and sewerage-, while the policy briefing document demonstrates the linkages between Jamaica’s existing national long term development plan and inclusive green economy.
The documents recommend policies and government actions that can help improve resource efficiency and adaptability to climate change, create jobs, and attract investment across sectors of the economy, fostering the transition from a high level of indebtedness and dependence to resilience.
The recommendations build on Jamaica’s existing policies and are designed to respond to the fiscal and social conditions in the country. The studies also highlight leadership from the private sector and civil society.
“In keeping with the global movement towards a green economy, Jamaica’s study demonstrates that the greening of economies is a new engine of growth; that it is a net generator of decent jobs, which is a vital strategy for the elimination of persistent poverty,” said the Minister Without Portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation, Daryl Vaz.
“The report also seeks to motivate policy makers to create the enabling conditions for increased investments in a transition to a green economy. Notably, it reiterates the need for public-private partnerships”, he added.
The studies were presented during the meeting Green Economy: A Tool for Sustainable Development, hosted by the Jamaica government with support of UNEP, through a European Union funded project Advancing Caribbean States Sustainable Development Through Green economy (ACSSD-GE).
