The World Bank approved yesterday US$100 million in financing to support Barbados’ low carbon economic development and resilience to climate change.
“I cannot underscore enough the necessity of support, such as this, to middle income small island developing states,” said The Honorable Mia Mottley, Prime Minister of Barbados. “This loan allows Barbados to advance its efforts to achieve climate resilience, including continuing our shift to clean energy. This ultimately allows us to better shield Barbadians from the worst excesses of the climate crisis while creating opportunities for green and blue jobs and investment as we adapt to our new reality.”
The Barbados Green and Resilient Recovery Development Policy Loan has two main pillars. The first focuses on green and blue resilient development, which includes a new law on water reuse, the adoption of a climate change and agriculture policy and the establishment of an Environmental Sustainability Fund, all of which are critical since Barbados is a water stressed country. This pillar also supports the reduction of marine pollution, and management of natural resources, in the context of climate vulnerability.