Final Readiness Workshops Conclude for Green Climate Fund Project in St. Kitts and Nevis

The Green Climate Fund (GCF) Readiness 4 Project, implemented by the Caribbean Community Climate Change Center and overseen by the Ministry of Sustainable Development in St. Kitts and Nevis, culminated in a series of final workshops held from January 27th to 31st, 2025. This three-year initiative, slated to conclude on February 28th, 2025, focused on bolstering the nation’s disaster preparedness and resilience to the escalating impacts of climate change, specifically targeting the strengthening of national emergency and disaster management capabilities. The project adopted a multi-pronged approach, encompassing legislative and regulatory framework enhancements, operational improvements within key agencies like the St. Kitts and Nevis Meteorological Services (SKNMS), the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), and the Nevis Disaster Management Department (NDMD), and active engagement with private sector stakeholders. This comprehensive strategy aimed to address existing vulnerabilities hindering effective responses to climate-related threats, thereby better equipping St. Kitts and Nevis to mitigate and adapt to the challenges of a changing climate.

A crucial element of the GCF Readiness 4 Project was capacity building, not only within institutions but also across public and private sectors. This involved raising awareness and deepening understanding of climate financing mechanisms, particularly the Green Climate Fund itself. Furthermore, the project emphasized equipping stakeholders with data-driven tools to empower informed decision-making in disaster management and climate resilience planning. By fostering a deeper understanding of available resources and providing practical tools, the project aimed to create a more sustainable and effective approach to climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction.

The final workshops served as a platform to consolidate the project’s achievements and lay the groundwork for future sustainability. Spread over four days, the workshops were facilitated by two consultancies, Insight Decision and HR Wallingford, each leading two-day sessions. These sessions focused on presenting key findings and recommendations derived from extensive stakeholder consultations, institutional assessments, and collaborative workshops conducted throughout the project’s lifespan. A key objective was to ensure stakeholder alignment on the next steps needed to maintain the project’s momentum and ensure long-term impact. This involved a formal handover process, clearly assigning responsibilities for continued progress and emphasizing local ownership of the initiatives. The workshops were also tailored to address specific recommendations for both St. Kitts and Nevis, recognizing the unique vulnerabilities and needs of each island.

Insight Decision’s two-day session highlighted key project outputs designed to strengthen national disaster preparedness. These included updated and climate-resilient National Emergency Management Plans, providing a robust framework for responding to and mitigating the impacts of climate-related disasters. A formalized Operational Framework and Training Plan for NEMA and NDMD was also introduced, aiming to enhance the operational efficiency and responsiveness of these critical agencies. Crucially, the implementation of an Integrated Impact-Based Multi-Hazard Early Warning System Framework was showcased, providing a crucial tool for proactive disaster management and minimizing the impact of extreme weather events.

HR Wallingford’s contribution to the final workshops focused on the launch and training for practical tools developed under the project. These included a Storm Surge Model and Atlas, providing critical data for predicting and preparing for coastal inundation events, and a Climate Data Repository System, centralizing essential climate information to support informed decision-making. Complementing these tools was a comprehensive communications strategy, designed to ensure effective dissemination of information and enhance public awareness. Crucially, stakeholders received hands-on training in the effective utilization of these tools, empowering meteorological offices and disaster management agencies with the knowledge and skills necessary to leverage these resources for enhanced preparedness and response.

The culmination of the GCF Readiness 4 Project marks a significant step forward in strengthening St. Kitts and Nevis’s resilience to climate change. By focusing on institutional capacity building, enhancing legislative and operational frameworks, empowering stakeholders with data-driven tools, and fostering collaboration between public and private sectors, the project has laid a strong foundation for long-term disaster preparedness and climate change adaptation. The final workshops served as a crucial platform for consolidating these achievements, ensuring stakeholder alignment, and establishing a clear path towards sustaining the project’s outcomes. The Ministry of Sustainable Development’s leadership has been instrumental in the project’s success, ensuring its effective implementation and the long-term sustainability of its impacts. Moving forward, the ongoing commitment of stakeholders, coupled with the effective utilization of the tools and frameworks developed under this initiative, will be crucial in building a more resilient and climate-ready future for St. Kitts and Nevis.