The Resilience, Sustainable Energy, and Marine Biodiversity Programme for Caribbean Overseas Countries and Territories – (RESEMBID)

Endowed with rich marine ecosystems, vast economic potential, an array of renewable energy resources, and progressive institutions, the Caribbean Overseas Countries and Territories (OCTs) have demonstrated their commitment to a development pathway grounded in the principle of sustainability.

Environmentally sustainable human development within Caribbean OCTs, is however threatened by a dire combination of social, economic and environmental challenges, which include:

1. Their exposure to the adverse effects of climate change;

2. Heavy reliance on fossil fuels (in some instances) – hence a larger carbon footprint and balance of payment burden; and

3. The unsustainable use of, and contact with marine ecosystems.

Although diverse, Caribbean OCTs exhibit several common development challenges and vulnerabilities. Through their national and regional efforts and instruments, these islands have worked towards overcoming these challenges, including enhancing and diversifying their economies, whilst increasing resilience.

In February 2015, the Caribbean OCT Regional Conference concluded with an agreement to allocate all funding under the 11th European Development Fund for regional cooperation between Caribbean OCTs (EDF-OCT) towards the advancement of Sustainable Energy and Marine Biodiversity.

However, following the devastating impact of hurricanes Irma and Maria in 2017, parties agreed in November 2017 to the inclusion of Resilience as the third area of strategic importance under the 11th EDF-OCT, and with this, RESEMBID was born. 

The overall objective of the RESEMBID programme is to support the national sustainable human development efforts of Caribbean OCTs, while the specific indicative objectives include:

1. To increase the Energy Efficiency of infrastructure with high impact on energy consumption;

2. To improve protection and sustainable management of the OCTs’ Marine Biodiversity; and

3. To increase the Resilience of Caribbean OCTs to adapt to extreme and recurrent natural events.

1. Energy Efficiency standards developed in OCTs for all categories of buildings.

2. Evidence-based policy development (Blue Development Strategy) enhanced for sustainable management of Marine Biodiversity.

3. Public awareness and community-based social and economic incentives developed for the protection of Marine Biodiversity.

4. Marine Biodiversity restoration and monitoring strengthened.

5. Improved measures against illegal fishing and waste discharges into coastal-marine ecosystems.

6. Disaster risk reduction, preparedness and management capacity strengthened.