Minister announces Charter to protect $236 Million Natural Environment of TCI

By Dana Malcolm

Staff Writer

#TurksandCaicos, April 5, 2022 – At the first ever TCI Climate Change Summit the government has vowed to sign a Climate Change Charter between the Turks and Caicos Islands Government and Stakeholders in a show of stronger commitment to finding ways to preserve the natural heritage of the archipelago, comprised of some 50 islands and cays.

The agreement will include: FortisTCI, Provo Water Company, the Turks and Caicos Reef Fund and others; all actors in the move toward protecting and preserving. 

 The Charter will tie in the commitments captured in the globally endorsed, Paris Agreement but with a local focus; details were not disclosed.

 Hon Josephine Connolly, Minister of Tourism with responsibility for the Environment made the announcement on Friday April 1, 2022 at a press conference, where it was simultaneously revealed that a first of its kind Climate Change Summit will be hosted by Turks and Caicos.

 Lormeka Williams, Director of the Department of Environment & Coastal Resources explained that in a recent Natural Capital evaluation executed on the islands, the value of the natural environment came in at over $236 Million.

 The press event to announced the Summit was held at the DECR’s Environmental Centre, the Bight, Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands.