Roadtown, Tortola - The Ministry of Natural Resources and Labour in collaboration with the Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre (CCCCC) and the United Kingdom Department for International Development today began a two-day climate change stakeholder consultation.
The objective of the consultation is to chart the Virgin Islands’ response to climate change by examining the various local environmental, social and economic issues.
Speaking during the opening today, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Natural Resources and Labour Mr. Clyde Lettsome outlined the varying effects of climate change.
“Climate change affects all our territories and countries in fundamental ways and presents significant issues for us all to grapple with,” said Mr. Lettsome.
“The environmental managers, dive operators, and fisherpersons among us may perhaps be preoccupied with coral bleaching and its impact on reefs and the fish populations. All of these are important concerns that deserve to be heard and discussed,” the Permanent Secretary further said.
The stakeholder consultation will feature presentations by science advisor Dr. Ulric O’D Trotz, and technical specialist Mr. George de Berdt Romilly of the CCCCC.
Over 40 stakeholders are representing a cross-section of public, private, civil, and social entities. Topics to be explored during the consultations include sea surface temperatures, sea level rise and increased climate variability and risk management.
Stakeholders are expected to produce a Climate Change and Adaptation Strategy and Action plan for the Territory at the end of the consultation.
The Ministry of Natural Resources is the government arm responsible for the sustainable management of the Territory’s natural resources and the environment. It endeavours to design, develop and deliver programmes that will protect and conserve the unique ecological features of environment.
British Virgin Islands News