Climate Change Policy Framework for Jamaica.

The Climate Change Policy Framework is a national policy with a multi-sectoral approach. The goal of the Policy Framework is to ensure climate change adaptation and mitigation through the development, coordination and implementation of policies, sectoral plans, programmes, strategies, and legislation. Thereby, the objectives of this Policy Framework are (I) capacity building and planning to develop and implement climate change adaptation and mitigation activities, (II) institutional capacity building, (III) national response to the impacts of climate change, (IV) improved communication at all levels on climate change impacts, (V) climate financing for adaptation and mitigation initiatives, and (VI) development and implementation of technologies.
A National Climate Change Financing Strategy will be developed by the Ministry of Water, Land, Environment and Climate Change for the development of co-financing instruments, the establishment of a national climate fund, the mobilization of private financing, the sourcing of bilateral and multilateral aid and concessionary finance for adaptation and mitigation, and innovative financing options to meet the needs of mitigation and adaptation initiatives. Research, data collection and analyses, technology, training and knowledge management will be developed to increase the resilience and capacity to the impacts of climate change. The regional and international engagement and participation in climate change-related negotiations and initiatives will be maintained. Public consultation will be promoted to improve public participation in mitigation and adaptation response measures. In line with the multi-sectoral approach, climate change adaptation and mitigation measures will be mainstreamed into ecosystem protection and land-use and physical planning. Hazard mapping, environmental impact assessment and risk assessment will be used to mitigate the impacts of climate change. Priority Special Initiatives will be developed and implemented for water resources management, low carbon development, disaster risk financing, ecosystem protection, land use planning, and communication. The Ministry of Water, Land, Environment and Climate Change shall undertake actions to educate all levels of the Jamaican society, with the emphasis on the youth and vulnerable populations, to raise awareness on the impacts of climate change and society’s role in climate change adaptation and mitigation.
A Climate Change Department will be established under the Ministry of Water, Land, Environment and Climate Change as the focal institution to coordinate existing and proposed initiatives in addressing climate change. To this end, the Climate Change Department shall be responsible for the coordination and monitor the work of the ministries, departments, agencies involved in climate change resilience building; the provision of technical support and guidance for the development of climate change sectoral strategies and actions plans; the effective communication and dissemination of information among all stakeholders; the development of financial and resource mobilization strategies; the representation of Jamaica at regional and international climate change negotiations and other fora; and the establishment of a national climate change database and information system to facilitate research and inform development planning and decision-making. Furthermore, the Climate Change Advisory Board shall provide a platform for the exchange of scientific and technical information on climate change and related issues of importance to Jamaica and advise the Minister and the Climate Change Department.