United Nations Development Programme Jamaica

(Handling out of Certificates of Partecipation. From the Left: One of the partecipants; Ms. Hillary Alexander, Permanet Secretary, Ministry of Energy and Mining; Ms. Akiko Fujii, Acting Resident Representative, UNDP; Mr. Fitzroy Vidal, Senior Director, Energy Ministry of Energy and Mining. Thursday, April 21, 2011 ; Petroleum Corporation of Jamaica Auditorium; Kingston; Photo UNDP Jamaica/Laura Raccio.)

UNDP believes Energy conservation, efficiency and management are central to sustainable development and poverty reduction efforts.   Achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) will be dependent on improvements in the quality and quantity of energy services in developing countries.

Diversification of energy sources to improve energy efficiency as well as energy conservation are among the most urgent developmental challenges of our time.

The costs of energy are formidable in Jamaica - In 2009 as reported on the Ministry of Energy and Mining's website, Jamaica imported just over 22 million barrels of oil at a cost of US$ 1.3 billion! The high level of energy imports significantly contributes to Jamaica's balance of payments deficits. 

The public sector in Jamaica is reported to account for approximately 12% of national energy consumption. This makes the sector a significant player in efforts to reduce Jamaica's energy consumption and bills.

"As Jamaica seeks to reduce its reliance on fossil fuels and moves towards the greater use of renewable energy there is much that can be achieved in savings from changing our behavior with respect to energy conservation, efficiency and management" said Ms. Akiko Fujii, UNDP Resident Representative a.i., as she gave her remarks on Thursday, April 21 at the successful end of the Training programme held at the Petroleum Corporation of Jamaica, Kingston.

UNDP Jamaica in partnership with the Ministry of Energy and Mining sponsored an Energy Conservation, Efficiency and Management Training Programme which was specifically designed for Officers in Government Agencies responsible for Energy Management.  This activity marked the culmination of  UNDP support to the Government of Jamaica throughout its process of implementing an Energy Policy "Next Steps" Programme, after completion of the National Energy Policy. The "Next Steps" Programme saw the preparation and completion of five energy sub-policies, which was supported by a comprehensive and robust stakeholder engagement process.

The training programme which was carried out by the Ministry of Energy and Mining was a two week training programme for public sector workers in  energy conservation and efficiency.

The efficiency training involved officers within the Government of Jamaica who are responsible for energy management as well as other professionals in the public sector (property managers, procurement officers, members of minis-try/agency procurement committees, directors of administration etc.) who have the direct responsibility of managing energy use within their job function and who have the responsibility for improving energy efficiency and reducing energy costs.

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(First Picture Left side: Ms. Akiko Fujii, Acting Resident Representative, UNDP giving her remarks. Second Picture right side: From the left Ms. Hillary Alexander, Permanet Secretary, Ministry of Energy and Mining; Ms. Akiko Fujii, Acting Resident Representative, UNDP; Mr. Fitzroy Vidal, Senior Director, Energy Ministry of Energy and Mining. Thursday, April 21, 2011; Petroleum Corporation of Jamaica Auditorium; Kingston; Photo UNDP/Jamaica.)

More Information on:

Ministry of Energy and Mining - Policy Development

UNDP Environment And Energy action in Jamaica