The Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) has established a Green-Blue Economy Strategy and Action Plan. This plan aims to encourage and build further strategies for sustainable development through economic growth, improved livelihoods and the protection of ecosystems.
OECS and the Caribbean Natural Resources Institute (CANARI) signed a Memorandum of Understanding in June to work together and implement these strategies.
This green-blue economy plan aims to foster low-carbon and socially equitable economies, with an emphasis on the coastal and marine resources which are vital for Eastern Caribbean states and the wider Small Island Developing States (SIDS).
“Now more than ever the OECS needs to focus on future solutions that enable economic growth while preserving invaluable biodiversity and improving the region’s resilience to natural disasters and climate change”, said Director-General of the OECS Commission, Dr Didacus Jules.
This strategy and action plan builds from a study led by CANARI and published in 2018. This study, ‘Exploring opportunities for transformation to inclusive, sustainable and resilient economies in the Eastern Caribbean’ was financed by a grant from the European Union.
The green-blue economy strategy and action plan will be finalised and presented at the OECS Economic Affairs Council and the Council of Ministers for Environmental Sustainability in 2020. This will allow OECS member countries to access global funding to build climate change resilience and further sources of investment to finance sustainable economic activities.
