Excerpt from iadb.org
When people picture the Caribbean, they imagine white-sand beaches, clear blue seas, and vibrant communities—assets that also underpin the region’s economies. In 2022, services accounted for between 55% and 78% of total GDP in most countries, with tourism remaining the main economic activity and representing an average of 25.4% of regional GDP between 2015 and 2019. Protecting this natural capital through sustainable practices, including circular economy approaches to waste management, is therefore essential to preserve these vital services and sustain long-term economic prosperity.
That is why the IDB Group partnered with the Global Environment Facility (GEF) to implement the ISLANDS Program in the Caribbean, approved in 2021 and launched in 2022.
This initiative brings together projects across ten Caribbean countries to strengthen waste management systems and advance a circular economy in the region. The program also aligns with the 2024 ONE Caribbean initiative, demonstrating how effective hazardous waste management contributes to climate mitigation, institutional strengthening, and inclusive development.