2021 Update of the First Nationally Determined Contribution of Barbados.
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Policy
Abstract
This Updated Nationally Determined Contribution is a revised version of the First Nationally Determined Contribution of 2015. The updated NDC reflects a significant increase in ambition and enhancement of the 2015 NDC. With the 2021 update, Barbados makes a conditional contribution for an emissions reduction in the electricity sector of 95% by 2030 and an unconditional contribution for the electricity sector of an emissions reduction of 50% by 2030. It presents a further enhanced conditional contribution with the Roofs to Reefs Program (R2RP). The aim is to improve the social and environmental circumstances for all Barbadians: improving living conditions and terrestrial and marine ecosystems, making Barbados more resilient to the impacts of the worsening climate crisis and related natural disasters, while increasing the ability to recover quickly from disasters.
The 2015 NDC presented specific mitigation actions for the energy, waste and transport sectors. This updated NDC lays down conditional mitigation contribution for 2030, including (I) 95% share of renewable energy in the electricity mix, (II) 100% electric or alternatively-fueled vehicles in the passenger fleet, (III) 20% increase in energy efficiency across all sectors as compared to BAU, (IV) 29% decrease in industrial, commercial and residential fuel consumption as compared to BAU, and (V) 20% decrease in waste emissions. A more efficient, reliable, affordable and resilient transportation system will be ensured to improve its competitiveness and productivity, reduce costs, and impact the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. The Government of Barbados' commitment to a fossil fuel-free energy system includes the transport sector, starting with upgrading the public transport system and vehicles. The economy-wide mitigation reduction ambition in GHG emissions will be complemented by 2030, inter alia, by providing support for research and development of renewable energy and energy storage technologies appropriate for Small Island Developing State, in particular ocean energy in line with the national strategy to develop its blue economy, and by focusing on using distributed generation to provide modern energy access and build resilience for low-income households under the Roofs to Reefs Program. Measures will be taken to increase the resilience of Barbados by making low- and middle-income homes more resilient to extreme weather events and their impacts, such as possible loss of access to electricity and potable water distribution systems; increasing freshwater storage capacity and water use efficiency and reducing emissions through the deployment of distributed renewable energy generation; decreasing land-based sources of marine pollution through more sustainable land use practices; making critical utility, water and sanitation and road infrastructure climate resilient; and restoring vulnerable coral reef ecosystems, particularly on the west and south coasts of the island.
A new Water Protection and Land Use Policy will be implemented to help protect groundwater aquifers, coastal coral reefs, mangroves and seagrass beds, with particular focus on reduction of nutrient loads into coastal waters using nature-based solutions. Furthermore, a new Water Reuse Policy will be implemented to allow reclaimed water to be used for irrigation and groundwater recharge. Investments will be made between 2021 and 2024 to upgrade municipal wastewater treatment systems and build out a reclaimed water distribution network, in an effort to build climate resilience in the agricultural and water sectors. In order to build a more circular economy, efforts will be given to recover energy from waste and relevant facilities will be constructed and operated by 2025.
This updated NDC highlights climate change vulnerability affecting all other key sectors of the economy, such as agriculture, water resources, human health and settlements, coastal resources, fisheries and insurance, while adaptation requires economy-wide and sector-specific efforts to alleviate impacts and reinforce adaptive capacity of vulnerable key sectors. Gender equality will be incorporated into climate change adaptation and mitigation. In addition to social assistance, strong emphasis will be placed on facilitating and supporting women entrepreneurship and business development as one way of responding to rising levels of unemployment, retrenchment and to assist with the economy’s recovery. Barbados’ GHG inventory, data collection and monitoring, reporting and verification system will be strengthened.
The 2015 NDC presented specific mitigation actions for the energy, waste and transport sectors. This updated NDC lays down conditional mitigation contribution for 2030, including (I) 95% share of renewable energy in the electricity mix, (II) 100% electric or alternatively-fueled vehicles in the passenger fleet, (III) 20% increase in energy efficiency across all sectors as compared to BAU, (IV) 29% decrease in industrial, commercial and residential fuel consumption as compared to BAU, and (V) 20% decrease in waste emissions. A more efficient, reliable, affordable and resilient transportation system will be ensured to improve its competitiveness and productivity, reduce costs, and impact the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. The Government of Barbados' commitment to a fossil fuel-free energy system includes the transport sector, starting with upgrading the public transport system and vehicles. The economy-wide mitigation reduction ambition in GHG emissions will be complemented by 2030, inter alia, by providing support for research and development of renewable energy and energy storage technologies appropriate for Small Island Developing State, in particular ocean energy in line with the national strategy to develop its blue economy, and by focusing on using distributed generation to provide modern energy access and build resilience for low-income households under the Roofs to Reefs Program. Measures will be taken to increase the resilience of Barbados by making low- and middle-income homes more resilient to extreme weather events and their impacts, such as possible loss of access to electricity and potable water distribution systems; increasing freshwater storage capacity and water use efficiency and reducing emissions through the deployment of distributed renewable energy generation; decreasing land-based sources of marine pollution through more sustainable land use practices; making critical utility, water and sanitation and road infrastructure climate resilient; and restoring vulnerable coral reef ecosystems, particularly on the west and south coasts of the island.
A new Water Protection and Land Use Policy will be implemented to help protect groundwater aquifers, coastal coral reefs, mangroves and seagrass beds, with particular focus on reduction of nutrient loads into coastal waters using nature-based solutions. Furthermore, a new Water Reuse Policy will be implemented to allow reclaimed water to be used for irrigation and groundwater recharge. Investments will be made between 2021 and 2024 to upgrade municipal wastewater treatment systems and build out a reclaimed water distribution network, in an effort to build climate resilience in the agricultural and water sectors. In order to build a more circular economy, efforts will be given to recover energy from waste and relevant facilities will be constructed and operated by 2025.
This updated NDC highlights climate change vulnerability affecting all other key sectors of the economy, such as agriculture, water resources, human health and settlements, coastal resources, fisheries and insurance, while adaptation requires economy-wide and sector-specific efforts to alleviate impacts and reinforce adaptive capacity of vulnerable key sectors. Gender equality will be incorporated into climate change adaptation and mitigation. In addition to social assistance, strong emphasis will be placed on facilitating and supporting women entrepreneurship and business development as one way of responding to rising levels of unemployment, retrenchment and to assist with the economy’s recovery. Barbados’ GHG inventory, data collection and monitoring, reporting and verification system will be strengthened.
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Repealed
No
Source language
English
Legislation Amendment
No