New project aims to link Government priorities with the UN SDGs to enhance sustainable development in the Cayman Islands

Grand Cayman – The Ministry of Sustainability & Climate Resiliency is launching a new project to enhance awareness and understanding of the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) within the Cayman Islands Government with the ultimate goal of identifying priority areas of strategic alignment and local targets under the Goals.

Premier and Minister of Sustainability & Climate Resiliency Hon. Wayne Panton said the SDGs offer a holistic framework for sustainable development that balances social, economic and environmental considerations.

“These ‘Global Goals’ are broad-reaching and lofty – they call for peace and prosperity for people and planet, now and into the future. When my administration came into office, it was with a clear understanding of the values that guide us and a vision for a Cayman Islands that is held up as one of the most sustainable countries in the world. The SDGs offer a holistic framework for achieving sustainable development that benefits current and future generations. This project aims to map existing efforts to the SDGs, identify areas of strategic alignment and recommend local targets under the Goals that should be considered as the priority areas of focus for the next two years,” he said. “I want to thank my colleagues in Cabinet and the Civil Service senior leadership for their support of and participation in this important project.”

Facilitated by PwC, the 12-week SDG analysis project is expected to launch this month with a series of in-depth stakeholder engagement sessions. PwC was selected as the consulting agency for the project following a competitive tender process. 

PwC Partner Kelli Koutney said, “The UN’s Sustainable Development Goals are referred to as a global blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all. Aligning the SDGs to the Cayman Islands Government Ministries, Portfolios and Offices’ initiatives is an important step in focusing stakeholders on achieving sustainability targets by 2030. We are honored to have been selected as the partner for this project and to be part of the foundation of a more sustainable vision for the Cayman Islands.”

Ministry of Sustainability & Climate Resiliency Chief Officer Jennifer Ahearn said the SDG analysis project will have the added benefit of formalising existing sustainability initiatives within the context of a globally recognised framework.

“We believe there is increasing understanding within the Civil Service of the importance and relevance of the SDGs to the Cayman Islands – Premier wears the SDG colour wheel pinned on his lapel and there are SDG posters in several offices throughout the Government Administration Building. This SDG analysis project will bring structure and cohesion to these efforts, help us raise greater awareness about the Goals within the Civil Service, and, ultimately, identify priority areas of focus for enhancing sustainable development and better outcomes in the Cayman Islands,” she said.

The project will include a survey to all Civil Service staff, training for key Civil Service leaders, analysis to map ongoing efforts against the SDGs, a gap analysis and final recommendation on five to seven Goals that should be considered as priority areas of focus up to May 2025. The final report is expected at the end of May 2023.

More information on the project will be shared on www.gov.ky/sustainability and through the Ministry’s Facebook and LinkedIn pages.