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Caribbean

27 October 2022 @ 15:00 - 16:30

WHAT POLICIES CAN UNLOCK FINANCE TO ENHANCE WATER SECURITY IN THE CARIBBEAN?

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Abstract

Islands increasingly need wiser and more efficient water management to address water scarcity but the methods of supplying water to the islands are of central importance both from an economic and an environmental point of view. The current global energy crisis has exacerbated the costs islands have to bear in order to produce desalinated water with diesel. Sustainable solutions must be put in place to guarantee adequate high-quality freshwater supply to their inhabitants. Providing islands with the most innovative desalination plants – today also available in small sizes – coupled with renewable and hybrid power systems is a choice of primary importance to promote their self-sufficiency and lower their servicing costs, with huge positive impacts on their communities.

Other strategic areas are the establishment of innovative rainwater collection and wastewater treatment systems to exploit the vast synergies available with other sectors like agriculture, as well as the improvement of island water grids, extending them and minimizing their losses.

Hence, it is critical that private and public finance flow into such a strategic sector, to help islands mitigate the effects of climate change. Furthermore, savings generated through innovative solutions can be invested in new adaptation projects. This webinar will analyze the particular challenges of the Caribbean islands, common also to many other islands worldwide. Good practices will be presented with a focus on optimal policies and financing mechanisms to unlock projects in the region and around the globe.

Agenda (CEST Time)

15.00 Introduction & Moderation

Gianni Chianetta – Director & Founder GTI

15.10 Presentations

Moderated by: Melissa Carmo Backwell – Greening the islands Ambassador for Caribbean

Shawn Meyer-Steele – Caribbean Desalination Association’s (CaribDA)
Midori Makino – Lead Water Supply and Sanitation Specialist for the Water Global Practice, Latin America and Caribbean Region, World Bank
Trevor Thompson – Steering committee member, Global Water Partnership-Caribbean (GWP-C)
Case study from Curaçao island:
- Vanessa Toré – Chair Integrated Water Resources Management Committee in Curaçao