Under the National Adaptation Plan (NAP) process, the Government of Saint Lucia is continuing its efforts to increase engagement with the private sector on climate change.

Across the world, the important role that the private sector plays in the fight against climate change has been increasingly highlighted. Scarcity of domestic funds from the government purse has further brought into the spotlight the need for additional investments and the meaningful role that the private sector can play to bridge the funding gap.

As part of this thrust, the Department of Sustainable Development will be hosting a follow-up consultation to one previously held in November 2018. This consultation, taking place on Feb. 11 at Coco Palm in Rodney Bay, Gros Islet, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., will assist in finalizing the development of a climate change private sector engagement strategy and a private-public-partnership proposal, which will be submitted for funding. The consultation will bring together stakeholders from the private sector, government and civil society. In addition, input will be sought towards the development of a climate financing strategy for Saint Lucia. The climate financing strategy also forms part of the department’s continued NAP process. The climate financing strategy will outline the public and private sources of climate financing available, both domestically and internationally, highlighting which sources of financing would be most relevant and feasible for the various measures and concept notes included in the nap and sectoral adaptation strategies and action plans, and how the Saint Lucia Government can access the funds.

In both cases, Saint Lucia is benefiting from support from the United States In-Country NAP Support Program, under the auspices of the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD).

Minister with responsibility for climate change, Hon. Dr. Gale T.C. Rigobert, is in full support of the various elements of the NAP process and the efforts made to involve all players in finding innovative and practical solutions to the real challenge of climate change.

For more information on climate action in Saint Lucia visit http://www.climatechange.govt.lc/ or call the Department of Sustainable Development at 758.451.8746.