Thursday, September 11, 2014

Barbados offers solar water heating assistance to other countries


With over 40 years’ experience in the development of solar water heating, Barbados stands ready to lend assistance to other countries in establishing their own programmes.

This was disclosed by minister of the environment and drainage, Dr Denis Lowe, during the just-concluded United Nations Third International Conference on Small Island Developing States (SIDS) in Apia, Samoa.

“Barbados wishes to offer itself as a regional inter-governmental implementation hub to assist in the execution of programmes and projects to fast track the achievement of the SE4ALL (Sustainable Energy for All) targets,” he stated.

Noting that Barbados’ achievements in the solar water heating sector to date were without international support, but with local skills, Lowe said it was that fact which now placed the country in a position to export its local expertise to other SIDS.

“However, if we are going to make SIDS truly climate resistant, it is imperative that several steps be taken since we as SIDS can only do so much on our own to combat the effects of climate change,” he stated.

Speaking on the topic: Linking SIDS and SE4ALL: From Barbados to Samoa and Beyond, the Minister said there was a need for technological transfer with the required adaptability to the specific circumstances of SIDS, to ensure countries took advantage of the best solutions available.

Lowe stressed that a number of steps needed to be taken by SIDS in order for them to realise the SE4ALL targets. These steps include the international community entering genuine partnerships with SIDS to facilitate access to finance.

“These partnerships must be focused on concrete deliverables,” the minister stressed, adding that the commitment to prescribe resources must be followed up by genuine efforts to assist capacity and institutional building.

Lowe also pointed to the need for the requisite policy, strategic regulatory environment to be in place for the projects and programmes to be undertaken.

“Importantly, renewable energy and energy efficiency cannot be viewed in isolation but should be seen within the context of a green economy which will lead to the forging of innovative partnerships between government, the private sector, civil society and international development partners to assist in this effort,” he stated.

SOURCE:http://www.caribbeannewsnow.com/headline-Barbados-offers-solar-water-heating-assistance-to-other-countries-22742.html

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