Climate change adaptation is a critical aspect of future national development plans by the government. The activities given above form a part of the government’s vision of long-term socio-economic and environmental well-being. This is outlined in the Vision 2030 plan which seeks to integrate all aspects of life in a sustainable manner. It is recognised that the environment plays an integral role in achieving sustainable development goals including the reduction of poverty, and the improvement in the quality of health and life for all Jamaicans. Also, the plan highlights the need for climate change adaptation considering the possible threats to the society which is heavily dependent on the use of natural resources. The combination of climate change and unsustainable human activities are threatening the quality and survival of those natural resources and the economic, social and environmental services they provide.
The project will also impact and be impacted by various committees including the Protected Areas Committee which is responsible for the oversight of the Protected Areas System Master Plan (PASMP). The PASMP is aimed at improving the management structure of protected areas. The SD Council will also be able to provide input and facilitate the expansion and/or replication of some aspects of the project.
The sustainability of the project will be achieved through collaboration at the local and national levels. Many of the activities require the participation and input of local stakeholders, one being through the formation of local forest management committees (LFMCs) which will assist in the protection of watersheds. This approach will encourage uptake at the community level and facilitate efforts of national institutions to continue activities geared towards improving the resilience of natural ecosystems. Lessons learnt will be used to upscale activities and also replicated as required.
Several agencies including NEPA and the Forestry Department are mandated to tackle some of these problems through integrated management structures. Funding for the continuation of these activities will be from government and other agencies, both locally and internationally.