Greening Micro, Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (MSMEs) in Barbados

The overall goal of the Greening MSMEs project is for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) across Barbados to implement low-carbon technologies and behavioural changes in their business practices which reduce their business’ overall carbon footprint and facilitate livelihood changes that are economically and environmentally sustainable.

 

[caption id="attachment_4729" align="alignleft" width="300"] A craft and souvenir shop in one of Barbados' popular tourist districts. (Photo: CARIBSAVE 2014)[/caption]

The Government of Barbados has made recent strides towards encouraging renewable energy and energy conservation nationally, and especially within the private sector. However, large corporations are often the only private sector players that are able to adopt pro-active, environmental strategies because they have the means to do so.

This project is helping MSMEs supplant their carbon-intensive operations with more sustainable, "green" technologies and practices. Many MSME operators feel they have little choice but to use the readily available yet expensive fossil-fuel-based energy sources, because even though the cost is high, the set-up cost for alternative energy solutions is prohibitive. For these MSME operators that do not have the capacity to access such opportunities or are not fully aware of the opportunities available, this project will provide the training and financing necessary to access the locally available renewable energy and energy conservation alternatives.

Country: Barbados

Duration: January 2014 – June 2015

Funder:  GEF Small Grants Programme (GEF/SGP),implemented by the United Nations Development Programme for Barbados and the OECS

For further information on this project, contact Ms. Nikki Hassell via e-mail on nikki.hassell@caribsave.org.

Integrating Adaptation into Low Carbon Development Plans

Building low carbon and climate resilient economies is a means by which nations can reduce poverty and achieve economic sustainability.

Feeding into WWF’s Global Climate and Energy Initiative (GCEI), this study on integrating adaptation and climate resilience into low carbon development policies will serve as a resource for governments on how to develop climate change resilient national development plans. The study will synthesize the lessons learned from government-led initiatives in countries such as the Philippines, Germany, Brazil, Mexico, China, India, Nepal and South Africa and will contribute analyses and options for integrating adaptation measures into low carbon frameworks.  It will also identify opportunities and best practices on how to build synergies between mitigation and adaptation initiatives within countries in order to ensure that low carbon frameworks are also climate resilient.

The final report will inform discussions at an international level:

• firstly, by serving as an input to negotiations on adaptation under the UNFCCC with the aim of informing discussions on how international frameworks could support the development of effective climate resilient low carbon national development plans; and


• secondly, by presenting opportunities for South-South and North-South partnerships to enable support for the development of these frameworks.

For further information on this initiative, contact Dr. Murray Simpson via e-mail on murray.simpson@caribsave.org.