Dominica’s Financial Secretary Denise Edwards meets EU MEPs; discusses aim of climate-resilient

Roseau, Dominica: Dominican Financial Secretary Denise Edwards held a brief meeting with MEPs of the European Parliament yesterday on, June 23, 2022. The topics of discussion included the efforts of the Caribbean island to become the world’s first climate-resilient nation.

During the meet, the President of the Cariforum, Stéphane Bijoux, pledged support to Dominica in its mission of becoming climate-resilient and applauded sustainable tourism.

Representing the Commonwealth of Dominica, Edwards highlighted the multiple initiatives and its journey headed by the Dominica Prime Minister Dr Roosevelt Skerrit-led administration on its path of being climate-resilient after Hurricane Maria in 2017 hit the country, destroying 90% of its infrastructure. The new, better and climate-resilient Dominica is emerging.

Meanwhile, Bijoux speaking on the issue, asserted, “Climate change is an environmental issue which threatens everyone. It is an emergency for everyone. It is also our responsibility to accompany developing countries because solidarity cannot stop at the geographical limits of our continent. Climate change is not just a simple race against time. It is a race against death”.

“We have to protect the paradise”, he then highlighted while acknowledging the beauty of the Caribbean island and the actions taken by the Dominica government in promoting sustainability, eco-tourism, and in saving marine life.

Not only this, but the island also received appreciation from Bijoux for its efforts in the fight against climate change.

A great and significant role is being played by the European Union, supporting Dominica in meeting its sustainable requirements.

Dominica – with a population of 70,000, is among the nations which witness massive and destructive impacts of Hurricanes and tropical storms despite being a minor contributor to greenhouse gas emissions.

To date, the Dominica government handed over more than 1000 climate-resilient homes to the citizens of the country who lost their residences to natural disasters. Another project is the Geothermal power plant, under which electricity will be provided to at least 23,000 homes, assisting the country in being self-reliant while creating jobs for the citizens of Dominica.

To achieve its target, Dominica Climate Resilience Recovery Plan (CRRP) was created under the terms of the Climate resilience Act, 2018 and gives full effect to the National Resilience Development Strategy developed in 2018. The CRRP creates targets, defines initiatives and outlines resources required to implement resilience measures, and also assists the Caribbean country in becoming ‘carbon neutral’ by 2030.

Moreover, the Dominica government has underscored at least 43 resilience goals under the National Resilience Development Strategy (NRDS) 2030. These goals are made climate-centric.

It has also penned down several climate-related agreements with international organisations, such as – CARIFORUM-EU Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA), which is a free trade pact. Dominica is also part of SIDS (Small Island Developing States), who came together under one roof to deal with the sustainable development challenges.