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Basseterre, St. Kitts, November 02, 2021 (SKNIS): The Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis’ National Determined Contribution (NDC) and Implementation Plan was successfully launched at the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) currently being held in Scotland, Glasgow.

The NDC is a report that highlights St. Kitts and Nevis’ commitment to reduce greenhouse gases and adapt to climate change, while the Implementation Plan translates the actions outlined in the NDC into real-time initiatives.

“These two elements were developed in an integrated manner which lay the groundwork to reduce and adapt to the effects of climate change and translate the NDC target to real actions, interventions, and support by also identifying potential funding sources and mechanisms to help achieve the NDC target. The contents of the Implementation Plan and Financing Strategy will be our guide to leverage the financial and technical support that we would require to achieve our target,” said Minister of Environment and Cooperatives, the Honourable Eric Evelyn, while providing the contents of the Revised NDC at COP26 on Tuesday, November 02, 2021.

Small Island Developing States (SIDS) are passionate about their presentations at COP 26 as tackling climate change for many is literally a life and death issue for their populations.

“As a Small Island Developing State (SIDS), St. Kitts and Nevis values the importance of developing more ambitious emission targets because for many of us [SIDS], limiting global temperature to 1.5 is a matter of survival. It is a necessity,” said Minister Evelyn. “Through a series of engagements and consultations, St. Kitts and Nevis has pledged to raise the bar. We pledge a significantly more ambitious mitigation target of reducing economy-wide CO² emissions by 61 percent by 2030, compared to the base year 2010. This can be achieved by switching to 100 percent renewable energy in electricity generation and increasing the share of electric vehicles in the vehicle fleet to at least two percent.

The environment minister added that there is a need for rapid decarbonization of the transport sector, with a focus on electrifying public transport and charging infrastructure.

Minister Evelyn said that adjusting to life in a changing climate is key to survivability and sustainability. Therefore, it was important for St. Kitts and Nevis to factor in adaptation and loss into the revised NDC.

“Our enhanced adaptation Actions include capacity building and information management systems for decision-making; climate-smart agriculture; integrated water resources management; integrated coastal ecosystems management; climate proofing the Tourism sector, and climate change and disease prevention for human settlements and human health,” said the minister adding that the above-mentioned actions are estimated at USD $127,000,000.

Minister Evelyn used the occasion to reiterate St. Kitts and Nevis’ thanks and appreciation to the national stakeholders and international partners for their “continued support and collaboration in advancing the work to address environmental challenges faced by the Federation.” He also commended the NDC Partnership in “providing support in recruiting an in-country facilitator who will serve as the NDC Partnership’s interface in the country and operate as a liaison between the country and other NDC Partnership members.”

COP26 runs from October 31 to November 12. Minister Evelyn is accompanied by Sharon Rattan, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Environment and Derionne Edmeade, Environmental Education Officer in the Ministry.