CARICOM rep. emphasizes potential of the green economy in the Caribbean
BRIDGETOWN, BARBADOS — Young people in the Caribbean are being encouraged to join the green economy, with a CARICOM ambassador highlighting the many economic opportunities available in this rapidly developing sector.
Tiffany Moore, Dean of CARICOM’s Youth Ambassador Programme, made the comments on the occasion of International Youth Day on August 12.
Caribbean youth can be leaders in the green economy. (iStock photo)
Fittingly, the theme for this year’s International Youth Day was “Green Skills for Youth: Towards a Sustainable World.”
Moore said, “As the world transitions towards cleaner and more sustainable technologies, there is a growing demand for professionals with expertise in the green sector.
“By providing young people with relevant training and skills, we prepare them for the green jobs of the future.
“This ensures a sustainable job market and brings about socioeconomic benefits for communities.
“Green skills can drive economic growth, foster entrepreneurship and create new opportunities for a more inclusive and equitable society.”
The Caribbean potential
It’s not the first time that the potential of renewable energy in the Caribbean has been pointed out.
This is not the first time the Caribbean is being singled out for green jobs and development.
Given the region’s rich natural resources, the Caribbean has been identified as ripe for development and investment in the green and blue economies by notable organizations like the World Bank, the Caribbean Development Bank, the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), the Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) and many others.
Further, Moore’s comments come at a time when green jobs are booming around the world.
Countries like the United States, United Kingdom, India, Canada and countless others are racing to be leaders in this developing sector, increasing their investments and passing legislation in an effort to speed up the transition to clean energy in their respective countries.
Green jobs have multiplied by an estimated five times over the past few years alone, and experts expect there to be more than 100,000 million green jobs in the world by 2030.
Skills development for green jobs
Training must go hand-in-hand with the transition to clean energy.
However, for the young people of today to be prepared for the green jobs of tomorrow, more efforts must be made to ensure they are adequately skilled.
Moore emphasized this point in her remarks, noting: “Beyond environmental stewardship, green skills also offer immense economic opportunities…
“Creating an enabling environment for young people to harness their potential is crucial to successfully embark on the green transition.
“This includes adequate investment in green education and training, the promotion of sustainable career pathways and facilitating mentorship and networking opportunities.
“Collaborative efforts between governments, educational institutions, businesses and civil society organizations are essential to ensure a coordinated approach that maximizes the impact of green skills initiatives.
“Access to these skills must be democratized, ensuring that all segments of society, regardless of background, can participate in the green transition.”
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