The World Bank on Tuesday approved US$100 (BDS$200 million) in financing to support Barbados’ development of a low-carbon economy and its resilience to climate change.The funds are being provided as a Barbados Green and Resilient Development Policy Loan.“I cannot underscore enough the necessity of support such as this to middle-income small island developing states,” Prime Minister Mia Mottley said as she welcomed the assistance.“This loan allows Barbados to advance its efforts to achieve climate resilience, including continuing our shift to clean energy. This ultimately allows us to better shield Barbadians from the worst excesses of the climate crisis while creating opportunities for green and blue jobs and investment as we adapt to our new reality.”The Barbados Green and Resilient Recovery Development Policy Loan has two main pillars. The first focuses on green and blue resilient development, which includes a new law on water reuse, the adoption of a climate change and agriculture policy and the establishment of an Environmental Sustainability Fund, all of which are critical since Barbados is a water-stressed country. This pillar also supports the reduction of marine pollution, and the management of natural resources, in the context of climate vulnerability.
