Strengthening resilience, working for a sustainable future

Climate change is a major challenge for Small Island Developing States (SIDS), as global warming is causing ocean levels to rise. Due to their small size and isolation, SIDS are more vulnerable to natural and environmental disasters, climate change and sea-level rise. However, these islands have also been successful in overcoming their environmental problems. From Palau to Puerto Rico, the stories of resiliency and innovation abound.
From Trinidad & Tobago to Tonga, Samoa to Suriname, the problems that these small islands face - climate change, waste management, unsustainable consumption, degradation of natural resources, extreme natural disasters in the midst of overpopulation and continuing industrialisation - are common to many other countries.
World Environment Day (WED) is an annual event and the most widely celebrated global day for positive environmental actions. The celebration of World Environment Day began in 1972 and has grown to become one of the main vehicles through which the United Nations encourages positive actions for protecting environment.
Through WED, UNEP (United Nations Environment Programme) enables everyone to realise not only the responsibility to care for the earth, but also reminds one and all of their individual power to become agents of change. Every action counts, and when multiplied by a global chorus, it becomes exponential in its impact.
 WED is a big celebration, engaging millions across the globe through events on the ground in over 100 countries. Every year, participants, young and old, organise clean up campaigns, art exhibits, tree planting drives, concerts, dance recitals, recycling drives, social media campaigns and different contests themed around caring for the planet. This year UNEP will celebrate the world environment day at the cutting edge of the fight against climate change by Barbados, a Caribbean island. This island is the host for this year's world environment day.
The theme for this year's celebration is "Small Island Developing States and Climate Change". Barbados, a 430-square kilometre nation with a population of 270,000, is considered highly vulnerable to the effects of climate change -- from agricultural impacts to the destruction of its coastal ecosystems.
However, this small nation has taken big steps to reduce climate impact and to provide clean, renewable energy as well as opportunities for green economic growth to its people. Among other things, Barbados has pledged to increase the share of renewable energy across the island to 29 per cent of all electricity consumption by 2029. This would cut total electricity costs by an estimated USD 283.5 million and reduce CO2 emissions by 4.5 million tonnes, according to the government. It is estimated that Barbados' tourism sector, which contributes about 15 per cent of the island's Gross Domestic Product (GDP), and its sugar industry, which contributes about 2 per cent, could both be severely affected by changing weather patterns. In response to such threats, Barbados has made "Building a Green Economy: Strengthening the Physical Infrastructure and Preserving the Environment" one of six concrete goals built into its National Strategic Plan (2006-2025). Barbados has put conservation and the transition to an inclusive green economy at the heart of its national strategy. Through this framework, it has enacted a number of proactive, concrete measures to combat climate change, including incentives that support one of the island's fastest growing sectors - solar power.
As the host of WED, Barbados will have the opportunity to showcase these initiatives and to act as an example for countless SIDS facing similar challenges. 'The country has shown tremendous leadership and political will, proving that the transition to a green economy is possible, even in countries facing the greatest threats when robust environmental policy is translated into action on the ground,' said UN Under-Secretary General and UNEP Executive Director Achim Steiner.
Solar water heaters are now a widely used renewable energy technology in Barbados, with installations in nearly half of the island's dwelling units. In 2002 alone, Barbados saved 15,000 metric tons of carbon emission and over USD 100 million in energy savings from the 35,000 solar hot water systems. Solar water heater use in Baebados is one of the highest in the world.
More recently, the Barbados government has implemented several plans to further stimulate the use of solar electric systems. Import duties on renewable energy electricity systems and VAT have been reduced to zero and companies involved in the development, installation or manufacturing are eligible for a 10-year tax free holiday. Financial incentives for manufacturers, such as the provision of low-interest loans may further serve to assist the diversification and growth of the solar water heater industry.
In 2012, Barbados and UNEP launched the Green Economy Scoping Study - Barbados Synthesis Report, which was designed to identify challenges and opportunities in the island's transition to a Green Economy, and to accelerate that transition.
Projects and events in Barbados to celebrate WED will take place over five days. They will focus on climate adaptation technologies, business, sustainable resource management, protected areas, schools and Barbadian local culture, as well as spotlighting challenges and opportunities facing SIDS around the globe.
The United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon in his message on the occasion of world environment day 2014 said, "Small island nations share a common understanding that we need to set our planet on a sustainable path." This demands the engagement of all sectors of society in all countries.  On World Environment Day, millions of individuals, community groups and businesses from around the world take part in local projects - from clean up campaigns to art exhibits to tree-planting drives."
  This year, let us take inspiration from the efforts of the SIDS to address climate change, strengthen resilience and work for a sustainable future.  
 The writer is deputy managing director of Modhumoti Bank Limited. He is an Associate Member of Institute of Cost & Management Accountants of Bangladesh (ICMAB) and a Certified Sustainability Reporting Specialist (CSRS). [email protected]