CARIBBEAN citizens will, over the next few weeks, have the opportunity to get in the know on how to cut their fuel costs while exchanging ideas  on solutions to the energy challenges facing the Caribbean.

All this, courtesy of the observation of November as CARICOM Energy Month (CEM), which is being celebrated under the theme “Sustainable Energy for Sustainable Development” #SE4SD.

CEM — a partnership among the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Secretariat, Member States, regional institutions and development partners — is also intended to celebrate the achievements of CARICOM Energy among diverse segments of the community.

It is envisioned that CEM will achieve its objectives by providing platforms for increased awareness on energy matters, given the value of energy to the region’s economic development.

“It is a mix of awareness building and knowledge creation which will increase the general participation of the citizenry  in the regional energy sector,” noted Dr. Devon Gardner, Programme Manager, Energy at the CARICOM Secretariat.

CEM — an aggregation of national efforts to underscore how central energy is to sustainabe develoment — will host a number of clean-energy events and activities to highlight the work being done and the role citizens can play towards the transformation for a sustainable future that creates new, clean energy jobs and supports long-term economic security.

Organised by the CARICOM Energy Programme, activities this month include a series of knowledge webinars, a photograph and art competition, a video competition and much more.

To complement these regional happenings, Member States will host national activities and events that are expected to focus on their local energy matters.

Meanwhile, Gardner has encouraged Community members to engage each other on the various social media platforms: Twitter (@CARICOMenergy),  Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/CARICOM.Energy/) & Instagram (CARICOM Energy).