On July 19, 2022 the $192.0 million EU/GoJ-funded “A Jamaican Path from Hills to Ocean” project was launched, marking an important milestone in Jamaica’s efforts to strengthen climate resilience. The project is aimed at improving environmental management, addressing the impacts of climate change, and fostering sustainable development across Jamaica.

In his keynote address, Minister Matthew Samuda, emphasized the urgency of aligning actions with Jamaica’s vision for a sustainable future. He highlighted the need to collaborate with all sectors—NGOs, environmentalists, and community leaders—stressing that the country is in a "race against time" to meet its climate goals.

The project, which began in 2020, is coordinated by the Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ) and involves multiple government agencies, including the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA), and the Rural Agricultural Development Agency (RADA), among others. It targets three key Watershed Management Units (WMUs) and several coastal and wetland ecosystems in St. Mary, St. Ann, Trelawny, and St. Catherine, with a focus on promoting sustainable land management and community-based resilience efforts.

Impact

The “Jamaican Path from Hills to Ocean” project aims to address the growing threat of climate change by supporting sustainable land and water resource management in vulnerable areas. Key impacts of the project include:

• Integrated Landscape Management: The project incorporates principles of integrated landscape management, including drought-resistant measures such as micro dam construction and solar initiatives, to strengthen the resilience of agricultural communities.
• Community Engagement: The project actively engages farmers, fisherfolk, entrepreneurs, and environmental groups in improving stewardship of degraded watershed areas and ecosystems, contributing to both poverty reduction and climate resilience.
• Watershed and Coastal Protection: Three major Watershed Management Units (Wag Water, Rio Nuevo, Rio Bueno/White River) and key coastal areas, such as Hellshire Bay and Half Moon Bay, are the focus of restoration and protection efforts, helping to preserve Jamaica’s natural ecosystems.
• Ecological Assessments: Groundbreaking ecological assessments conducted by the Department of Life Sciences at UWI Mona provide crucial data to inform policy and guide interventions in watershed management, ensuring evidence-based decision-making.

This collaborative effort, supported by EU funding and local agencies, underscores Jamaica’s commitment to building a sustainable and climate-resilient future.

For more information, access the full report here.