A powerful statement from Saint Kitts and Nevis at COP29
A powerful statement from Saint Kitts and Nevis at COP29
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From Island Innovation
“There is hope here in Baku. This cannot be the future to which we resign island nations”, says Saint Kitts and Nevis
On Tuesday, Hon. Dr. Joyelle Clarke, Minister of Sustainable Development, Environment and Climate Action and Constituency Empowerment, took the stage to address a powerful message during the Leader statements at COP29. She highlighted the severe impacts of climate change on SIDS and called out the inequities in climate finance, noting that SIDS received just 0.2% of global climate adaptation finance last year.
Hon. Dr. Clarke outlined Saint Kitts and Nevis’ unwavering commitment to sustainability, emphasising the imperative of decarbonising energy infrastructure, climate-proofing their utilities infrastructure and forging strategic partnerships.
She invited all island nations to convene in Saint Kitts and Nevis next year for the Global Sustainable Island Summit, co-hosted with the Island Innovation team while underscored the urgent need for concerted global action.
In the first one, Siosinamele Lui (Traditional Knowledge Adviser, SPREP), Joshua Pangelinan (Energy and Climate Specialist, FSM), Dr. Aitazaz Farooque (Professor & Associate Dean at the School of Climate Change and Adaptation, University of Prince Edward Island (UPEI)) and Fred Patison(Climate Change Finance Readiness Adviser, Pacific Climate Change Centre (PCCC)) shared insights on leveraging traditional knowledge and climate science to drive ambitious climate action on order to build resilience in Pacific SIDS.
The second panel Response to Climate Change: The Special Case of Small Island UK Overseas Territories – Finance for Innovation and Research was organised by the United Kingdom Overseas Territories Association (UKOTA) in the UK Pavilion. Speakers included Minister Mary Creagh(Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Minister for Nature), Hon. Dr John Cortes MP (Minister for the Environment, Sustainability, Climate Change, Heritage and Culture, HM Government of Gibraltar), Professor Dr. Matt Frost( Head of International Office of the Plymouth Marine Laboratory, Chair of the UK’s Marine Climate Change Impact Partnership) and CCJLA Noelle Young.
The Island Innovation team also organised a side event in the Moana Blue Pacific Pavilion on Empowering SIDS Youth: Driving Climate Justice Through Interregional Collaboration. We were pleased to present a diverse lineup of young experts from various Small Island Developing States (SIDS), showcasing their leadership role in climate justice. Many thanks to:
Honourable Kerryne James (Minister for Climate Resilience, the Environment and Renewable Energy, Government of Grenada)
In a session moderated by Vincent Diringer, PR & Editorial Lead at Island Innovation.
Adaptation, Resilience and Biodiversity
The Caribbean Biodiversity Fund organised an impactful COP29 session on the linkages between climate adaptation, biodiversity conservation and food security. Panelists explored innovative practices to support climate vulnerable communities to build resilience against climate change.
