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Last Updated: Feb 6, 2017 - 2:32:04 PM |
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Warsaw, Poland – Minister of the Environment and Housing, Hon. Kenred Dorsett, traveled to Warsaw Poland this week to participate in the ministerial portion of the United Nations Climate Change Conference COP19/CMP9. The minister had the opportunity to address the assembly where he outlined The Bahamas' plight as regards access to funding and the strides and efforts being made by the government to combat climate change in the country.
The minister stated that the recent typhoon Haiyan “reaffirmed that we must continue to press for all nations, developing and developed to meet their commitments under this convention and their initial commitments under the Kyoto Protocol. He went on to state that “this is not a time for backsliding but a time for ramping up and enhancing commitment to tackle climate change and increase funding to deal with climate change related events.”
Dorsett stressed the need for access to funding mechanisms for countries like The Bahamas. He said, “we must operationalise and capitalise the Green Climate Fund now! More importantly, vunerable states like The Bahamas must be given access to such funding mechanisms. The minister also made it clear that the way in which The Bahamas is measured for funds is not realistic. He told the body that, “per capita income cannot be the primary criteria for eligibility for funding, as it does not reflect the real economic and fiscal challenges of developing countries. He expressed emphatically that The Bahamas needed help because “we are not fully able to adapt to or mitigate the loss and damages associated with climate change induced processes.”
The minister also told those assembled of the efforts being made by government of The Bahamas through legislative measures. He said that The Bahamas has amended it's forestry act, offered lower tariffs on hybrid and electric vehicles, that the tariffs on inverters for solar panels, panels and LED appliances and bulbs have been eliminated and a new energy strategy introduced that focuses on the awareness of energy conservation.
A key issue being considered by the Conference is the issue of loss and damage as a result of climate change. Significant progress was made on this issue at the conference held in Doha, Qatar last year, where a decision was taken to establish an international mechanism to address loss and damage. Minister Dorsett along with three (3) other Ministers of Environment from the Alliance of Small Island States are leading negotiations with the Developed Country parties, seeking "concrete decisions" to address loss and damage.
Minister Dorsett ended his presentation by stating The Bahamas' readiness to work and that the Bahamian delegation would like to leave Warsaw with “concrete decisions being made to advance our climate change adaptation efforts. He also admonished the body that “it is time to do more, and it is time to do it faster than we have ever done before.”
The Bahamian delegation has been involved in negotiations since Saturday, negotiating the UNFCCC budget, financing for The Bahamas to attend future meetings and the issue of loss and damage, which has been raised by AOSIS member countries, Low-Income Developing Countries and the G77 plus China. The Bahamas also Chairs the Group of Latin America and the Caribbean at the Conference and has been coordinating elections in the margins of the Conference.
Minister Dorsett is expected back in the country on Sunday November 24th.
© Copyright 2013 by thebahamasweekly.com
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