Sustainable Business Development and Renewable Energy TechnologiesTraining Workshop

On Tuesday, August 19th, the Caribbean Policy Development Centre (CPDC) and The CARIBSAVE Partnership hosted a joint workshop in association with two projects supported by The Global Environment Facility Small Grants Programme (GEF SGP), implemented by the UNDP. The workshop was held at he Grotto, Beckles Rd. St. Michael, at the facilities of the Barbados Agricultural Society (BAS).

CPDC’s project, Promoting renewable energy production in farming communities in Barbados, has a goal of enhancing the application of renewable energy technologies (RETs) on farms in Barbados.

The CARIBSAVE Partnership’s project - Greening Micro, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs) in Coastal Communities in Barbados is helping MSMEs across Barbados to implement Renewable Energy Technologies (RETs) in their business practices which reduce their business’ overall carbon footprint. MSMEs will also be helped to make other changes to their operations that result in saving money and increasing environmental sustainability.

The first day of the workshop focused on training farmers and agricultural processors in sustainable business practices and the technical application of RETs and energy/water saving processes. The second day entailed a field trip for participants to witness the practical application of RETs on farms in Barbados.

This workshop was of tremendous benefit to those who attended; providing an opportunity for participants to interact with experts in RETs and energy conservation practices in an environment where sharing of knowledge and experiences is encouraged, and also the chance for participants to see the benefits of these interventions in action on Barbadian farms.

(Photo: Will Anstey, INTASAVE-CARIBSAVE, 2014)

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.

Development of an Energy Policy for the Cayman Islands

Reliability, affordability, and sustainability. These are the core principles of the Cayman Islands’ national energy policy, a document developed and delivered in 2008/9 with the assistance of CARIBSAVE.

The process drew together government, regulators and power suppliers to define ways the islands could cut energy use and create a diverse and efficient power sector.

The overriding goals of the policy are to secure a reliable electricity supply while at the same time reducing the sector’s carbon footprint to within national targets. It is also essential that supplies come from a range of sources, that regulatory frameworks support these principles and that the public and private sectors promote energy conservation.

Funded by the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office, the policy’s reach extends well beyond electricity to determine links between energy and water consumption, land use, residential and commercial construction, transport, public education and the environment.

As part of that process, the participants investigated the most energy-efficient forms of technology at various points of use, renewable power options and the best water and wastewater treatment systems. This involved analysing existing power-generation technology and developing benchmarks for performance evaluation.

The once-in-a-generation policy is expected to be the cornerstone on which the Cayman Islands will build its energy infrastructure and make its decisions for the next two decades.