Environment and Sustainable Development

The Caribbean Community’s Environment and Sustainable Development work is anchored in Articles 58 and 65 of the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas. In this thematic area, focus is placed on inculcating the sustainable use and management of the Region’s environment and natural resources in its development roadmap. It also supports functional cooperation in multilateral environmental diplomacy especially in the areas of climate change, biodiversity management and ocean governance.
In a Region comprising small island and low-lying coastal developing states, building resilience to inherent environmental, social and economic shocks is promoted through the development of regional public goods such as the Caribbean Community Environment and Natural Resources Policy Framework and the Draft CARICOM Ocean Policy.

Currently, the Region is sharply focused on advancing climate resilience, accelerating the transition to renewable energy, strengthening biodiversity conservation, and promoting sustainable ocean-based economies. Through coordinated regional positions under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Convention on Biological Diversity, CARICOM Member States have amplified their voice in global negotiations, consistently advocating for limiting global temperature rise to 1.5°C and for improved access to climate finance for Small Island Developing States (SIDS).

Significant achievements include the operationalisation of the Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre as a key regional implementing entity for climate finance, supporting Member States in accessing resources from the Green Climate Fund and the Adaptation Fund. Regional coordination has also strengthened disaster risk reduction strategies in collaboration with the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency, enhancing early warning systems and climate-smart planning.
In biodiversity and marine governance, CARICOM has advanced ecosystem-based management approaches, marine spatial planning initiatives, and regional collaboration to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing.
Efforts toward implementing the Caribbean Community Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan, along with progress on the Draft CARICOM Ocean Policy, reflect a commitment to safeguarding critical coastal and marine ecosystems while enabling sustainable blue economy opportunities.

Collectively, these initiatives demonstrate CARICOM’s commitment to integrating environmental sustainability with economic and social development, strengthening regional cooperation, and positioning the Caribbean as a proactive and influential bloc in global sustainable development discourse.