United Nations Jamaica 76th Anniversary

Partnerships, the keys for protecting and preserving the planet The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Caribbean Sub-Regional Office is based in Jamaica and acts as a catalyst, advocate, educator and facilitator to promote protection for the Caribbean environment and sustainable development. Since 2016, we have been working with Jamaica and other countries in the Caribbean to assist governments and regional institutions in meeting their environmental needs and achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. For UNEP’s work in Jamaica, partnerships with local communities, businesses and academic institutions are all vital to ensure that environmental issues are tackled appropriately. The Net Zero Energy Building Project UNEP partnered with the Institute for Sustainable Development (ISD) at The University of the West Indies (UWI) to deliver the Caribbean’s first net zero energy building. The building hosts the Centre for Advanced Research in Renewable Energy and is a prototype to show best practices in energy efficiency, renewable energy and environmental design. Net zero energy means that the building produces about as much renewable energy as it requires to function. In addition to being net zero in relation to energy, the centre also consumes less water than the average building. Designed to also be an emergency shelter, it is adapted to local climatic conditions and built to have greater resilience to extreme weather events such as flooding, hurricanes, and drought, as well as earthquakes. Our partnership with UWI on this project placed innovation and research at the centre of our work in climate change mitigation and adaptation. A key aim for this partnership was to foster research on practical solutions to transform building policies and practices. It is hoped that the solutions gained from this building and the research done there will encourage sustainability and energy efficiency in future construction. GEF-IWEco National Sub-Project in Jamaica The Global Environment Facility (GEF) IWEco Project is working with the community in the Negril Environmental Protection Area (EPA), to support biodiversity and ecosystems of the area. A key objective of the IWEco Sub- Project in Jamaica is to support the capacity of the Negril EPA community to observe and protect their environment together with the local government. As part of this sub-project, the Negril area Environmental Protection Trust (NEPT) has received a GEF grant under the Sub-Project and has been engaging and training farmers in Negril on topics related to climate- smart farming and alternative livelihood programmes using best environmental practices. To date, 141 farmers from seven different community groups within the Negril EPA have been engaged in hands on training from the Rural Agriculture Development Authority (RADA) and Hardware & Lumber (H&L) Agro, one of two operating divisions of H&L, which is Jamaica’s largest wholesaler of building materials and agricultural equipment. Farmers have also received vegetable seeds to augment their livelihoods. Plastic Waste Minimisation Project The Plastic Waste Minimisation Project (PWMP) aimed to strengthen Jamaica’s waste management capacity and reduce the accumulation of plastic marine litter. A key component for this project was engagement with the private sector, to encourage more sustainable practices among businesses and communities alike. During the project, the Plastic Waste Management Virtual Conference engaged civil society, the private sector and the general public in educating on sustainable business models that minimize plastic waste. The project also established the National Green Business Certification Programme of Jamaica, which helps businesses to learn and implement best practices in the area of environmental stewardship, while promoting environmentally friendly practices. Community involvement was key in the PWMP. As part of the project, the Rae Town Plastic Recycling Project was initiated, which encouraged Rae Town residents to participate in clean-up activities and trained environmental wardens to prevent improper waste management. The Eco- Rewards Plastic Recycling Pilot was also launched in Lee’s Food Fair in Kingston and encouraged customers to bring their plastic to be recycled for eco-reward points. The Pilot programme collected over a thousand pounds of plastic waste within the first weeks of implementation. RADA officer conducting training on the use of the A-frame in contour farming. Photo: UNEP/IWEco Project The Centre for Advanced Research in Renewable Energy at the University of the West Indies. The Eco-Rewards Plastic Recycling Pilot launched in Lee’s Food Fair in Kingston. Vincent Sweeney, Head, Caribbean Sub- Regional Office United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) 21 THE 76TH ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL FEATURE OF THE UNITED NATIONS IN JAMAICA