Caribbean News
UK signs agreement with Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre
Rashaed Esson
Staff Writer
#UnitedKingdom, September 9, 2023 – The UK Government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in the amount of £2.7 million with the Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre (CCCCC), for work to be done under the Small Island Developing States Capacity and Resilience (SIDAR) Programme, staying true to its COP26 promise to aid in fortifying Climate Resilience and Finance in the Caribbean region. This is according to a Press Release by the UK Government.
The signing was done on September 6th by David Rutley, Minister for the Americas and the Caribbean and Colin Young, Executive Director for the Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre (CCCCC).
The Government in the press release, referred to the SIDAR programme saying that it “represents delivery on part of the UK’s overall commitment of £11.6 billion for climate finance, with a specific aim to support adaptation and resilience in Small Island Developing States (SIDS),” adding that it “aims to augment access to climate finance and support programmatic acceleration of climate resilient actions in selected Caribbean countries.”
Additionally, as informed by the release, the CCCCC will act as a channel through which the programme will help address the road blocks the Caribbean SIDS face in efforts to plan for, ” accessing, and effectively utilizing climate finance.”
The aim of the programme, it said, is to “facilitate sustainable increase in the flow of climate finance, enhance project development and implementation capabilities, and support simplification of the multilateral funding processes with
which they must engage.”
Not only that, the release pointed out that the programme will see to the establishment of a Help Desk to lend aid to Member States, catering to the development as well as the implementation of climate change projects. In fact, it is expected to bring about sustainable climate actions throughout the region through promoting “collaboration, knowledge sharing, and strategic leveraging of resources.”
The CCCCC, partnering with the CARICOM Member States, will provide support in the development of funding proposals aligned to national priorities “for submission to various financial mechanisms under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and other multilateral and bilateral financing partners.”
That in mind, with the UK backing and contributing to the efforts of the CCCCC, CARICOM member states will be strengthened in tackling the challenges they face in accessing climate finance, according to the UK Government in a press release.
And, in continued efforts, the release informed that “Non-Official Development Assistance (ODA) eligible Member States will be invited to participate in lesson learning and virtual training activities.”
Furthermore, the UK’s, as the release described, “concerted effort”, is anticipated to assist the Caribbean in accessing a large sum of US$50 million over the next three years. “Dedicated resources will be allocated to beneficiary countries for project preparation grants, including readiness activities, with a target of mobilizing US$3 million in readiness support during the programme’s implementation,” the Government added in the release.
Optimism for the newly developed partnership is in the air as expressed by Rutley at the September 6th signing of the MOU.
“The implementation of this initiative under the SIDAR programme marks an important moment in our collective efforts to combat the impacts of climate change,” he said, later adding that “through close collaboration with” the CCCCC, “the UK is delivering on its promise to help unlock greater amounts of climate finance, strengthen resilience, and secure a sustainable future for SIDS, including those in the Caribbean.”
Colin, who also gave words on the partnership highlighted that he is “pleased to implement the SIDAR programme in the Caribbean,” adding that it will increase both the flow and scale of climate finance to CARICOM Member States to help build their resilience to escalating and adverse impacts of climate change, as well as strengthen their capacity to effectively utilize these resources.”
Bahamas News
CCCCC Secures US$6.73M for Climate Resilience Projects in The Bahamas, St.Kitts and Nevis
April 17, 2025 – The Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre (CCCCC) has announced the Green Climate Fund’s (GCF) approval of three critical climate resilience projects for St. Kitts and Nevis and The Bahamas. The projects, collectively securing nearly US$6.73M in funding, will support national adaptation planning and climate-smart agricultural initiatives to strengthen regional resilience against climate change impacts.
St. Kitts and Nevis secured an approved funding allocation of US$732,616.00 to develop the St. Kitts and Nevis Climate Smart Agriculture Project (SKN CSA-P) through the GCF’s Project Preparation Facility (PPF). The PPF grant proposal received formal approval on 14 February 2025.
The PPF grant will be used to fully develop the SKN CSA Project through several critical studies, such as a Feasibility Study, Environmental and Social Action Plan, and Gender Assessment and Action Plan. Designed to advance sustainable agricultural practices, the SKN CSA-P aims to strengthen food security, enhance climate resilience, and mitigate environmental degradation across the twin-island nation.
The twin-island Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis is poised to strengthen its national adaptation efforts through strategic investments in institutional capacity-building, policy development, and climate risk assessments—critical components for fostering long-term climate resilience. Formally approved on 10 March 2025, this initiative will be driven by the Building Resilience Through National Adaptation Planning in St. Kitts and Nevis (SKN-NAP) Project, which has successfully secured US$2,998,365.00 in funding.
Spearheaded by Ryan Phillip, Project Development Specialist at the Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre (CCCCC), the SKN-NAP
project will enhance the country’s ability to anticipate, plan for, and respond to climate challenges. By integrating climate risk considerations into national policies and strengthening institutional frameworks, this initiative will lay the groundwork for a more resilient and climate-adaptive future for St. Kitts and Nevis.
Phillip shared, “The development of a National Adaptation Plan for St. Kitts and Nevis marks a pivotal milestone in the country’s efforts to build resilience against the impacts of climate change. This initiative will establish a clear roadmap for strengthening adaptive capacity and addressing climate vulnerabilities through targeted interventions. Through this process, St. Kitts and Nevis will be better equipped to anticipate, plan for, and respond to climate challenges. Additionally, it will enhance the country’s ability to attract much-needed financial resources to implement large-scale climate-adaptation initiatives in key sectors such as health, tourism, and agriculture. I am grateful to have spearheaded the development of this proposal and deeply appreciate the support of the Green Climate Fund (GCF) throughout this process and their ongoing commitment to supporting Small Island Developing States (SIDS).”
The Bahamas also secured US$2,999,997.00 in funding through the approval of the Advancing National Adaptation Planning in The Bahamas (BAH-NAP) Project. Formally approved on 18 February 2025, this transformative initiative is designed to enhance the country’s long-term climate resilience by embedding climate adaptation strategies into national policies and planning frameworks.
Dr. Donneil Cain, Former Lead Project Development Specialist at the CCCCC, led the development of this project, which will strengthen institutional capacity, improve risk management, and ensure that The Bahamas is better equipped to address climate vulnerabilities and future environmental challenges. By mainstreaming climate resilience into national development strategies, the project will foster sustainable growth while safeguarding critical sectors from the impacts of climate change.
This approval underscores the Caribbean’s steadfast dedication to proactive climate action and resilience-building. Continuing to build on the momentum of the recently held GCF Regional Dialogue, the CCCCC reaffirms its unwavering commitment to supporting Caribbean nations in their climate adaptation and mitigation efforts. The CCCCC will continue to collaborate closely with regional governments, international partners, and key stakeholders to mobilise critical resources, drive innovative solutions, and implement strategic interventions that empower vulnerable communities to navigate and thrive amid growing climate challenges.
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