REMARKS - UNDP Resident Representative Denise E Antonio

Panel Discussion for World Habitat Day

Monday 4 October 2021

Acknowledgements:

• The Honourable Pearnel Charles Jr. – Minister of Housing, Urban Renewal, Environment and Climate Change
•  Dr. Alwin Hales, Permanent Secretary – MHURECC
• Professor Webber, Chairman of the Climate Change Advisory Board
• Representatives from the public and private sectors
• Development partners
• Representatives from the Media
• Other Distinguished Guests

Good Morning.

I am honoured to participate in this panel discussion as we commemorate World Habitat Day under the theme “Accelerating Urban Action towards a Carbon-Free World”.   Global and national trends provide compelling evidence for localized urgent action towards reducing our carbon footprint in urban spaces. Since 2007, it is estimated that 50% of the world’s population live in cities though cities and urban areas account for only 3% of the earth’s land mass. In Jamaica, 54% of the population resides in urban areas yet only 30% of the land area is urbanised. Globally, 80% of energy consumption and 75% of carbon emissions are accounted for by cities.  In Jamaica, the energy sector, which is primarily based in urban areas, accounts for 73% of carbon emissions.

Like others across the world, many of us participating in this event migrated from rural communities to urban areas in search of economic advancement and other opportunities.  Commensurate with population growth, urbanisation is expected to grow exponentially and consistently, with an estimated 6.5 billion people expected to live in cities and urban areas by 2050. It is therefore critical that the developmental challenge caused by the nexus between urbanisation, environmental degradation and Climate Change is addressed with resolute determination and deliberate action.

In pursuit of UNDP’s global mission to end the injustice of Poverty, Inequality and Climate Change, we have sought to support Jamaica in addressing this complex challenge. For example, UNDP recently concluded a Global Environmental Facility-funded project that sought to advance a low carbon development path and reduce Jamaica’s public sector energy bill through the introduction of renewable energy (RE) and energy efficiency retrofits (EE) in six public health hospitals. Hospitals are among the major sources of carbon emission in urban settings, so by targeting these institutions we can make a significant contribution to national targets for CO2 reduction.  Over a six month period, July to December 2020 – we are able to confirmed a reduction of 30 tons of CO2.

UNDP has also supported Jamaica in meeting international reporting commitments under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, the Stockholm Conventions on Pollisistic Organic Pollutants, the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer and the subsequent Kigali Amendment.  Just last week we were delighted to support the government in hosting the 26^th Pre- Conference of Parties event and launch of the Nationally Determined Contribution Partnership Plan.

 I wish to assure you that UNDP remains  committed to supporting the Government achieve its four national development goals, all of which are aligned to one or more of the targets established under Sustainable Development Goal number 11 – namely sustainable cities and communities. In furtherance of our continued work in advancing urban action towards a carbon-free world, we are happy to announce that one of the priority areas of our Country Programme Document (CPD) 2022-2026 will focus on Climate Change and Resilience. Specifically, we are committed to upscaling our efforts under of current CPD by supporting the government with strengthening policy and legislative frameworks in key sectors; promoting low carbon solutions through the use of renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies; and developing nature-based solutions to strengthen local climate change adaptation capacities.

UNDP will also continue to support Jamaica with meeting their national and international climate change obligations and introduce innovative solutions such as blended financing mechanism to advance nature-based solutions for climate change mitigation and adaptation at the sectoral and community levels. We are confident that these and other measures will reduce Jamaica’s carbon footprint, mitigate climate change risks, increase resilience building and  promote sustainable urban development.

I look forward to a robust discussion and trust that the ideas shared will be the impetus for accelerating urban action towards a carbon free world ensuring no one is left behind.

Thank You.