Enabling Jamaica's green economy: Highlights of the UNEP green economy scoping study
Published:Tuesday | March 22, 2016 | 12:00 AMAndre Poyser
Enabling Jamaica's green economy:
Highlights of the UNEP green
economy scoping study
Prime Minister Andrew Holness has, through his pronouncements on the Riverton disposal site, signaled his intention to leverage environmental issues as a catalyst for economic growth and job creation. The method of how exactly these aims can be achieved is the subject of a United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Scoping Study on the green economy for Jamaica.
Options
The study sets out several options for enabling conditions for the five sectors covered under the scoping study: Agriculture, Construction, Energy, Tourism, Water and Sewage.
These sectors are the country's primary foreign exchange earners, the largest consumers of water and significant energy consumers.
Here are excerpts and summarised information from the recommendations made for each sector in the study.
Agriculture
Enabling Condition
Recommendations
Support sustainable land management
fast track sustainable land
management policy
Enact Land Reform
provide access to land, financing and
business services to landless farmers
Create Water Management Systems
increase rainwater harvesting activities
Provide Incentives
invest in green technology through
balanced fiscal policy
Diversity Energy Sources
replace petroleum-based
energy with solar, wind,
hydro and biofuels
Conduct Research
Climate resilient plants and animals
should be explored
Provide Green Agricultural
Extension Services
encourage adoption and adaptation of
new green technologies and research
Policy Frame for Greening Agriculture
devise strategy which introduces
structural changes to sector and markets
targeted
Construction
Enabling Condition
Recommendations
Enact National Building Act
fast track legislation
Adopt Green Construction Codes
integrate International Green
Construction Code (IgCC) with new
building code
Develop Local Green Building
Rating System
use rating system to safeguard against
trend where companies claim credit for
unattained environmental objectives
Revise Development Orders and
Planning Guidelines
encourage mixed-use developments and
less automobile use
Incentivise Green Building Solutions
provide tax holidays, duty concession
and energy costs rebates for
green projects
Expand training in sustainability related fields
promote green jobs
Energy
Enabling Condition
Recommendations
Increase Price Paid for Power Supplied to National Grid
Offer a more attractive price as the 20-24 cents per kWh is unattractive
Provide financial facilities for renewable energy projects
expand financing options for renewable energy projects
Discourage importation of inefficient motor vehicles
encourage use of electric and hybrid vehicles with a low tax rate
Encourage Energy-Reducing Transportation Measures
devise efficient public/urban mass trans
Tourism
Enabling Condition
Recommendations
Incentivise renewable energy and water
use reduction
include fiscal incentives for
specified activities
Plan for impacts of climate change
plan for sea level rise
Market Green Tourism Elements
target new markets with green
tourism brand
Provide Green Investment Incentives
introduce carbon trading
Water and Sewerage
Enabling Condition
Recommendations
Enhance Sewage Recycling
expand existing sewage facilities
Implement Cost Recovery Systems
the most efficient way to price water is at full cost
Implement Rural Water Supply Strategy
fast track implementation of water access fund
Maintain Integrated Water Resources Management Approach
continue empowerment of Water Resources Management Committees (WRMC)