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Environment Minister: Global south member-state cooperation, significant factor in achieving sustainable development goals within the region

Wed, Jul 19th 2023, 10:45 AM
Environment Politics

The Hon. Vaughn Miller, Minister of the Environment and Natural Resources, attended the recent Meeting of Ministers of High Authorities of the Environment, Science and Innovation of the G77 and China in Havana, Cuba.  During his address of the meeting, he noted that cooperation among member states of the global south was important in achieving sustainable development goals within the region. 

In his remarks describing critical issues the Bahama  Islands face, Minister Miller listed water security, the country’s vulnerability to storm surges, sea level rise, and water intrusion among the areas of concern.

He said, “The Bahamas has no significant rivers or lakes and its freshwater supply primarily relies on underground freshwater lenses and rainfall. The freshwater reserves are limited, making the country vulnerable to water scarcity and ensuring sustainable management is essential. We remain vigilant to ensure that threats to water quality concerns are adequately managed to provide safe and clean water to the population.”

Minister Miller informed participants of the country’s susceptibility to the impacts of climate change, including rising sea levels, increased frequency and intensity of storms, and changing rainfall patterns.

“These changes can further stress freshwater resources and exacerbate water scarcity issues.” He noted the devastation of Hurricane Dorian in 2019 to some of the islands.

He underscored the nation’s demonstration of its commitment to the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals by integrating them into the national policies and development plans, and highlighted the Global Environment Facility Bahamas Pine Island Project as an example of this.

 “This project permits the Government to promote sustainable forest management (SDG 15.2). It also integrates biodiversity considerations and ecosystem services into forest management and land use planning, focused on four main islands: New Providence, Abaco, Andros and Grand Bahama.

“The project is slated to be completed by 2025 and will help us to bridge the capacity gaps and create foundational practices for our forestry management and sustainable livelihoods.”

Moreover, Minister Miller highlighted the efforts of the Marine Protected Areas Network. He noted that 50 new environmental, forestry and marine officers have been engaged (over a 3 year period) to conduct monitoring, research and restoration efforts within protected areas.

He said Coastal Wetlands play a crucial role in the global carbon cycle and have a significant correlation with climate change dynamics.

“They are among the most productive ecosystems on earth and act as large carbon sinks, meaning that they absorb and store significant amounts of carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere. They are found in our mangroves, salt marshes, and seagrass meadows. These areas are the interface of land and sea. They also store substantial amounts of carbon, both in their living biomass and in the sediments beneath them.”

Furthermore, Minister Miller underscored that it is time for developing countries to harness their assets via the Carbon Credits Industry as “the majority of member states in the global south are not emitters.”

“Conserving and restoring wetlands are crucial strategies for mitigating climate change. Preserving intact wetland ecosystems and implementing sustainable management practices can help maintain their role as carbon sinks, as well as support biodiversity, improve water quality and provide valuable ecosystem services for both human and wildlife.”

Minister Miller told the Meeting that The Bahamas accepts that partnership is a crucial element to development.

“Some would say that partnership makes miracles happen. Although we are doing well, there is still much more that needs to be done and we cannot do it all by ourselves.

“Even with our best efforts, our capacity to manage, protect and enforce the areas remain limited. We recognize the significance of South-South cooperation for member states of the global south, and together we can achieve sustainable development target goals within the region.”

The Hon. Vaughn Miller, Minister of the Environment and Natural Resources, attended the recent Meeting of Ministers of High Authorities of the Environment, Science and Innovation of the G77 and China in Havana, Cuba.  During his address of the meeting, he noted that cooperation among member states of the global south was important in achieving sustainable development goals within the region.
 
In his remarks describing critical issues the Bahama  Islands face, Minister Miller listed water security, the country’s vulnerability to storm surges, sea level rise, and water intrusion among the areas of concern.
He said, “The Bahamas has no significant rivers or lakes and its freshwater supply primarily relies on underground freshwater lenses and rainfall. The freshwater reserves are limited, making the country vulnerable to water scarcity and ensuring sustainable management is essential. We remain vigilant to ensure that threats to water quality concerns are adequately managed to provide safe and clean water to the population.”
Minister Miller informed participants of the country’s susceptibility to the impacts of climate change, including rising sea levels, increased frequency and intensity of storms, and changing rainfall patterns.
 
“These changes can further stress freshwater resources and exacerbate water scarcity issues.” He noted the devastation of Hurricane Dorian in 2019 to some of the islands.
 
He underscored the nation’s demonstration of its commitment to the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals by integrating them into the national policies and development plans, and highlighted the Global Environment Facility Bahamas Pine Island Project as an example of this.
 “This project permits the Government to promote sustainable forest management (SDG 15.2). It also integrates biodiversity considerations and ecosystem services into forest management and land use planning, focused on four main islands: New Providence, Abaco, Andros and Grand Bahama.
 
“The project is slated to be completed by 2025 and will help us to bridge the capacity gaps and create foundational practices for our forestry management and sustainable livelihoods.”
Moreover, Minister Miller highlighted the efforts of the Marine Protected Areas Network. He noted that 50 new environmental, forestry and marine officers have been engaged (over a 3 year period) to conduct monitoring, research and restoration efforts within protected areas.
He said Coastal Wetlands play a crucial role in the global carbon cycle and have a significant correlation with climate change dynamics.
“They are among the most productive ecosystems on earth and act as large carbon sinks, meaning that they absorb and store significant amounts of carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere. They are found in our mangroves, salt marshes, and seagrass meadows. These areas are the interface of land and sea. They also store substantial amounts of carbon, both in their living biomass and in the sediments beneath them.”
Furthermore, Minister Miller underscored that it is time for developing countries to harness their assets via the Carbon Credits Industry as “the majority of member states in the global south are not emitters.”
 
“Conserving and restoring wetlands are crucial strategies for mitigating climate change. Preserving intact wetland ecosystems and implementing sustainable management practices can help maintain their role as carbon sinks, as well as support biodiversity, improve water quality and provide valuable ecosystem services for both human and wildlife.”
Minister Miller told the Meeting that The Bahamas accepts that partnership is a crucial element to development.
“Some would say that partnership makes miracles happen. Although we are doing well, there is still much more that needs to be done and we cannot do it all by ourselves.
 
“Even with our best efforts, our capacity to manage, protect and enforce the areas remain limited. We recognize the significance of South-South cooperation for member states of the global south, and together we can achieve sustainable development target goals within the region.”
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