As the global conversation on climate change intensifies, small island nations in the Caribbean continue to grapple with the overwhelming impacts of global warming. At COP 29, the climate conference held in 2024, Caribbean states made their voices heard, emphasizing the urgent need for stronger climate action and energy transitions. However, these nations face unique challenges that hinder their progress in addressing climate change and transitioning to renewable energy systems. This article explores why Caribbean states are struggling and highlights key takeaways from COP 29.
1. Vulnerability to Climate Change Impacts
The Caribbean is one of the most vulnerable regions to the impacts of climate change. Rising sea levels, more intense and frequent hurricanes, prolonged droughts, and coastal erosion pose existential threats to these small island developing states (SIDS). At COP 29, leaders from the Caribbean underscored the need for immediate action to combat the impacts of climate change, calling for enhanced financial and technical support from developed nations.
Dr. Carla Barnett, CARICOM Secretary-General, said in Baku, “COP29 must deliver a climate finance goal that is credible and consequential for achieving the 1.5℃ goal.” The Secretary-General made the call at a Leaders’ Summit of Small Island Developing States (SIDS) on Climate Change at the COP29 (Twenty-Ninth Meeting of the Conference of Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change) in Baku, Azerbaijan.
Despite the clear risks, Caribbean countries continue to face challenges in implementing robust climate action plans. These nations are often left to contend with the fallout of climate events, which strain their already limited resources, making it difficult to prioritize long-term sustainability over immediate recovery efforts.
2. Financial Constraints and Debt Burdens
One of the most significant obstacles for Caribbean countries in their energy transition efforts is financial constraint. Many of these nations have elevated levels of public debt, which hampers their ability to invest in the renewable energy infrastructure needed for a sustainable future. In addition, the region's dependence on fossil fuels for electricity generation complicates the transition to cleaner energy.
“The Caribbean urgently needs financing mechanisms that not only acknowledge our vulnerabilities but also deliver accessible, adequate, and high-quality resources to tackle the severe impacts of climate change,” explained CDB’s Acting President, Isaac Solomon.
In addition, Bahamas Prime Minister, Philip Davis noted that, “Member states can somehow quickly find eye-watering sums of money for bullets and bombs, but only rattle small change in their pockets when it comes to financing the costs of loss and damage.”
At COP 29, Caribbean representatives raised the issue of access to climate finance, stressing that existing mechanisms are insufficient for addressing the region’s energy and climate challenges. While climate finance pledges have been made by wealthier nations, the funds often fail to reach the Caribbean in a timely or meaningful manner. The region’s reliance on external aid, paired with the complexity of international funding processes, has left many Caribbean states in a perpetual cycle of debt and underdevelopment.
3. Dependence on Fossil Fuels
Despite the growing global consensus on the need for renewable energy, many Caribbean countries continue to rely heavily on imported fossil fuels for their energy needs. This dependence makes these nations vulnerable not only to the volatility of global oil markets but also to the pressures of international climate agreements that demand reductions in carbon emissions.
At COP 29, Caribbean countries voiced concerns about the slow pace of renewable energy deployment in the region. Although several countries, including Barbados and Jamaica, have made strides toward expanding solar and wind power capacities, the transition is hampered by the high upfront costs of renewable energy projects, limited technical expertise, and challenges in grid infrastructure.
4. Limited Energy Access and Infrastructure Challenges
Many Caribbean islands still struggle with limited energy access, particularly in rural or remote areas. Additionally, the region's energy infrastructure is often outdated and vulnerable to extreme weather events, which are becoming more frequent due to climate change. In most cases, the existing grids are ill-equipped to integrate renewable energy sources, which require different infrastructure and management systems.
At COP 29, Caribbean nations emphasized the need for resilient infrastructure that could withstand both the physical challenges posed by climate change and the transition to renewable energy. However, achieving this level of infrastructure development requires substantial investment and innovation—resources that many Caribbean governments simply do not have.
Grenadian Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell also delivered a national statement during the high-level segment on day three of the UNFCCC COP29 Climate Conference at Baku Stadium in Baku, Azerbaijan in which he emphasized that, “It is just testimony to what we are talking about. You can have high, unpredictable, and erratic, but also highly dangerous weather patterns that are significant that we have to prepare for and respond to. Again, we have be doing our best in those circumstances to treat and manage with this on an ongoing basis. So, it’s just the new reality, the new norm that we have to live in.”
5. Policy Gaps and Governance Challenges
While many Caribbean nations have made significant strides in developing national climate policies, there is often a gap between policy intentions and actual implementation. Weak governance structures, a lack of technical capacity, and inconsistent political will have led to ineffective climate policies and a slow pace of reform. At COP 29, it was clear that the region needs stronger institutional frameworks and better coordination among governments, the private sector, and civil society to address energy transition challenges.
Furthermore, Caribbean states have called for more robust international partnerships to help close these governance and policy gaps, ensuring that climate initiatives are more than just lofty targets but are grounded in actionable, locally driven plans.
6. Inequitable Global Climate Policy
At COP 29, the Caribbean's demand for climate justice was at the forefront. Many Caribbean nations argue that the global community's current approach to climate change is inequitable and fails to account for the historical emissions of developed countries, which have disproportionately contributed to the climate crisis. As a result, Caribbean states have long advocated for climate reparations and compensation for loss and damage resulting from climate change.
Prime Minister of Barbados Mia Mottley urged world leaders again at COP 29 to commit to capitalising funds to aid in the mitigation of the global climate crisis. Speaking at the UN climate forum, COP29, in Baku, Mottley said this would be part of "collective" and "quantifiable" goals to address climate action. "We are in a season of superlatives, and the reality is that these extreme weather events that the world is facing daily suggests that humanity and the planet are hurtling towards catastrophe," Mottley said.
The calls for financial support, technical assistance, and policy reforms at COP 29 echoed the frustration felt by Caribbean leaders over the lack of concrete action from wealthier nations. The Caribbean's relatively low carbon footprint is in stark contrast to its high vulnerability to the adverse effects of climate change, and Caribbean nations insist on a more equitable approach to climate negotiations.
7. The Path Forward: Regional Collaboration and Innovation
Despite the challenges, Caribbean countries are not passive victims of climate change. There are signs of progress and innovation that suggest the region’s resilience and capacity for change. For instance, CARICOM (the Caribbean Community) has launched initiatives aimed at enhancing regional collaboration on renewable energy, such as the Caribbean Renewable Energy Development Programme (CREDP) and the Caribbean Climate-Smart Accelerator. These initiatives aim to pool resources, share knowledge, and promote the scaling of renewable energy technologies across the region.
Additionally, some Caribbean islands are leading the way in energy innovations, such as geothermal energy in Saint Lucia and wind power in Aruba. These success stories demonstrate that with the right support, the region can move towards a more sustainable and resilient energy future.
Conclusion
The Caribbean faces daunting challenges in the fight against climate change and the energy transition, as underscored by discussions at COP 29. From financial constraints and fossil fuel dependence to inadequate infrastructure and policy gaps, the region's path forward is fraught with obstacles. However, there is hope in regional collaboration, innovation, and continued advocacy for climate justice. As the world moves towards a greener future, the Caribbean must not be left behind—its leaders are calling for a global partnership that recognizes the region’s unique vulnerabilities and supports its transition to a sustainable, climate-resilient future.
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