Regional push to strengthen systems to withstand climate impacts

追加: 2026-05-12

[00:00:00]Barbados is once again at the center of regional climate leadership hosting a high-level workshop under the Santiago Network aimed at strengthening support for vulnerable countries.

[00:00:11]Deputy Prime Minister Santia Bradshaw, in addressing the opening session, made it clear that the stakes are rising.

[00:00:18]She says for the Caribbean climate change is not theoretical since it is already impacting lives and economies.

[00:00:26]The world is not on track to limit global temperature raise to 1.5° C.

[00:00:32]Instead, we are heading closer to a 3° increase, an outcome with potentially devastating consequences, particularly for vulnerable regions such as ours.

[00:00:44]For the Caribbean this is not an abstract threat. It is a lived reality.

[00:00:50]And as our Prime Minister Mottley has said repeatedly we will not be passive in the face of climate change. We will not wait for others to act. We will lead.

[00:01:00]We will innovate, and we will protect our people.

[00:01:03]Even if early projections suggest a below average 2026 Atlantic hurricane season we know better than to be complacent.

[00:01:12]Forecast can change, and even a single event can have significant consequences.

[00:01:18]She outlined ambitious national targets, including hurricane resilient infrastructure, and the transition to 100% renewable energy along with having the largest electrical bus fleet in the Caribbean. These include ensuring that 85% of our housing stock and critical infrastructure can withstand a category 3 hurricane by 2030.

[00:01:43]Enabling citizens to return to basic living standards within 3 to 7 days following an extreme weather event. And achieving 100% renewable energy generation supported by a resilient grid by 2035.

[00:01:59]Vice President of the Caribbean Development Bank, Dr. Isaac Solomon, says the region must rethink how it approaches disasters.

[00:02:07]He stressed that preparation, not just response, is key.

[00:02:12]He says the cost and damage associated with these events cannot be underscored.

[00:02:17]For Caribbean SIDS and LDCs globally loss and damage is not a future risk.

[00:02:24]It is a present and escalating reality.

[00:02:28]Extreme weather events sea level rise flooding droughts and heat stress impose recurrent human, social, and economic costs that strain public finances erode development gains and undermine long-term ecosystems livelihoods, and cultural heritage. The workshop is expected to strengthen technical support improve coordination, and help countries better access climate financing.

[00:03:00]Deanne Roberts, CBC News.