United Nations Development Programme Jamaica

Fast Facts

Population: 307,451

Government: Constitutional Parliamentary Democracy

UNDP Human Development Index:0.892

Life expectancy at birth: 65.72 years

GDP per capita: $25,000 (2007 est.)

Economy: Tourism, banking, cement, oil transshipment, salt, rum, aragonite, pharmaceuticals, spiral-welded steel pipe

UNDP Projects in Bahamas

Integrated Watershed and Coastal Area Management (IWCAM)

Within the Caribbean, wastewater treatment related to the recreational industry, particularly yachts, needs to be addressed because of the significant issue of waste disposal at most anchorages, harbours and marinas. The Bahamas has more marinas than any other Caribbean country, and Elizabeth Harbour in Georgetown represents a particular pollution “hot spot,” attracting some 500 to 600 boats daily. No moorings exist, and anchoring causes coral damage. The harbour also has a history of contamination from sewage discharged mainly from visiting yachts, as well as from waterside commercial establishments such as restaurants and shops. Little has been done so far to address these sensitive issues, impinging as they do on the tourism industry and its importance to the national economy. Yet it is within the country’s best interests to ensure that waste materials are properly treated and disposed of, rather than being allowed to create a serious threat to the coastal and marine environment.

UNDP is working to create effective wastewater reception facilities in Elizabeth Harbour, as well as to support deployment of moorings and establishment of anchorages. Further, we are assisting with legislative and policy reform to provide incentives for the use of waste treatment facilities and with installation of an effective management infrastructure and strategy for the harbour.

Land and Sea Use Planning for Water Recharge Protection in Andros

Following a baseline inventory of resources and uses, we are supporting development of an effective Land and Sea Use Management Plan, including zoning, monitoring and enforcement, for Andros Island, home to critical ecosystems and the most extensive wetlands in the Caribbean. We also assist in development of mechanisms and technologies to address specific threats to the water recharge area, such as land use, squatting, development and waste disposal. Successful approaches will be replicated throughout Bahamas through a proposed coastal zone management strategy.

Climate Change

Under our initiatives to combat climate change and ensure timely reporting under Bahamas’ international treaty obligations, we work to assess the potential impacts of climate change on vulnerable sectors. We are supporting preparation of an inventory of greenhouse gases, identification of mitigation measures being undertaken, and collection and analysis of other information relevant to implementation of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. Development of national policy and strengthening of public awareness on climate change are expected results.

Our key partners in Bahamas