Press Release
The Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis reaffirms today its commitment to accomplish a 22% and 35% reduction in green house gases (GHG) from the levels projected in the business-as-usual (BAU) emission scenario for the years 2025 and 2030, respectively.
St. Kitts and Nevis’ inventories of GHGs (Green House Gases) show that the country absorbs more global carbon emissions than it emits into the air, and like many Small Island Developing States (SIDS) it is expected to bear the brunt of the impacts. Nonetheless we are here because we are committed to a sustainable world.
On this note, the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis is currently in the throes of a drought that accounted for a dramatic 55% deficit in average annual rainfall in 2015. This has negatively impacted our productive sectors particularly tourism, agriculture and manufacturing. The forecast is for the drought to continue late into 2016. Climate change is very real and can be very disruptive to our way of life.
His Excellency Ban Ki-moon, United Nations Secretary-General has asked all leaders to come to New York ready to address four topics.
I am therefore pleased to oblige.
Our Government will implement the national climate plans and integrate them into our overall sustainable development goals. We have been working on a Roadmap for increasing ambition over time to achieve the overall aim of limiting global temperature rise to well below 2 degrees Celsius.
Our goal is that, by the year 2020, nearly 100 percent of the electricity supplied in the country would be produced from renewable energy sources. We aim to become the first green country in the world. We are cognizant that this is an ambitious goal, but St. Kitts and Nevis is just the kind of country to achieve it.
My Government passed the requisite legislation in December 2015 to accommodate the commercial use of all its renewable energy resources, be it wind, solar or geothermal.
During my 2016 Budget Address to the nation in December 2015, I announced that, with the support of the Global Environment Facility (GEF), my Government intends to develop a climate change adaptation program designed specifically for the local Agriculture Sector. I also said in my Budget Address that, at this time when the effects of climate change continue to have serious impacts on Small Island Developing States (SIDS), it is important for us to be more proactive in the development of the Energy and Water sectors.
Going forward, my Government’s Water strategy will include (i) the ongoing deep well drilling program to mitigate the susceptibility of our coastal aquifers to sea level rise (ii) consideration for the repositioning of a number of existing wells closer to the source of the supply of water for the Basseterre Valley Aquifer; (iii) stricter enforcement of the protection of our aquifer and watershed resources; (iv) Increasing water storage capacity in water stressed areas and new communities; (v) Add sea water (desalination) to the existing mix of well and surface supplies (drought proof source).(vi) Enforce planning regulation that requires major developers to factor in water supply into their design of new development projects .(vii) Encourage rainwater harvesting and provide tax concessions for investment in water conservation plumbing devices.
In our efforts to accelerate climate action before 2020, last August saw the rolling out of two important projects. One project will assist the Government in procuring staff and equipment for a Protected Area Agency. This agency will be the first government unit in the country’s history that would be dedicated to protected areas. The other project will enhance sustainable land management (SLM) institutional and regulatory frameworks at the national level. Both projects will conclude in the year 2018.
How we are accelerating climate action before 2020 by drawing on the ingenuity, resources and efforts of all sectors of society
This year, St. Kitts and Nevis has taken up the Earth Day Network’s Trees for the Earth goal and has committed to planting a tree for each of its citizens (55,000 people) over the next five years. Every citizen then will stand in peaceful coexistence with our environment, pledging to contribute to a safer world.
The Federation has also launched a week of activities under the theme “We Are Going Green” to commemorate Earth Day 2016 – a first in the country’s history. The launch of the Earth Week initiative was held at the St. Kitts Eco-Park and civil society and private sector partners were in attendance. The Ministry of Education has provided support to the Earth Week Committee, in acknowledgement of the importance of teaching our children and future leaders ways in which they can preserve our environment.
Our Government’s timetable for ratifying the Paris Agreement
I conclude now by saying that the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis is ready to deposit its instruments of ratification today, Earth Day. We stand in solidarity with COP21 in recognition that signing the Paris Agreement today engenders resilience to deal with global realities in the face of climate change.
Paris highlighted our aspirations. Today is about action! We call on all developed countries and indeed every other country to expedite action on their support for the Paris accord.
From these commitments no country should retreat. Our presence here today is an indication that St. Kitts and Nevis wants progress in the world. Join us in making this progress by not only signing but also ratifying the Paris Agreement.
Long live resilience! Vive la résistance!
– See more at: http://sknis.info/prime-minister-dr-the-honourable-timothy-harris-saint-kitts-and-nevis-statement-at-the-signing-of-the-paris-agreement-on-friday-april-22nd-2016/#sthash.0nOIJY0B.dpuf
