Green Hydrogen Positioned as Key Driver of Jamaica’s Clean Energy Future
At the July 1 2025, workshop “Advancing a Regional Approach Towards the Green Hydrogen Economy in Latin America and the Caribbean,” Vincent Sweeney, Head of UNEP’s Caribbean Sub-regional office (CSRO), emphasized green hydrogen’s strategic role in Jamaica’s clean energy transition. Backed by the Green Climate Fund, the initiative supports the development of a national strategy and roadmap to harness green hydrogen from renewable sources. Mr. Sweeney noted its potential to decarbonize key sectors, replace fossil-based hydrogen, and advance Jamaica’s Just Energy Transition.
World Environment Day, WED 2025 Highlights Zero Waste Action in the Caribbean
On June 5 2025, UNEP CSRO celebrated UN World Environment Day 2025 under the theme “Beat Plastic Pollution,” drawing attention to one of the greatest threats to the region’s ecosystems and marine life. Each year, millions of tons of plastic waste enter Caribbean environments, endangering biodiversity and local economies. Through the EU-funded Zero Waste in the Caribbean project, UNEP CSRO supports the transition to circular economies by reducing waste, fostering sustainable innovation, and empowering communities.
The Caribbean Region Observes International Day of Zero Waste with Focus on Fashion and Textiles
The UNEP CSRO marked the UN International Day of Zero Waste under the theme “Towards Zero Waste in Fashion and Textiles”, on March 30 2025. The observance emphasized the urgent need to tackle the environmental impact of textile waste, which threatens key economic sectors such as tourism, fisheries, and agriculture.
Field visit in Jamaica highlights waste management challenges and solutions
On 14 March 2025, UNEP CSRO and CEP toured Kingston Harbour and Riverton City Landfill, highlighting marine pollution, landfill fires, and solutions for a zero-waste future.
Advancing Gender Equality for a Sustainable Caribbean
On 8 March 2025, UNEP CSRO commemorated International Women’s Day by underscoring the link between gender equality, climate action, and waste reduction, empowering women to lead in building a circular economy.
Launching 2025 Webinar Series on Circular Economy and Zero Waste in the Caribbean
On February 26 2025, the Zero Waste Webinar Series “Circular Economy in the Caribbean: Building National Strategies for Zero Waste” was launched, the first of six interactive sessions running from February to December. The initiative aims to build national zero-waste strategies, strengthening recycling, reuse, and public-private partnerships.
Advancing Resilient and Sustainable Tourism in the Caribbean Region
On 17 February 2025, UNEP CSRO highlighted the tourism sector’s role in resilience and called for a shift toward circular economy, and community-empowering practices.
Safeguarding Caribbean Wetlands Through Zero Waste Solutions
On 2 February 2025, UNEP CSRO advocated reducing plastic pollution and boosting recycling to safeguard Caribbean wetlands and strengthen climate resilience.
Advancing Clean Energy and Zero Waste in the Caribbean
On 26 January 2025, UNEP stressed the transition to renewable energy, with appropriate policies and financial support that are vital to coupling clean energy with zero-waste initiatives.
Activities during 2024
Port of Spain 2024 Declaration Marks Milestone in Waste Management
The 8th High-Level Forum (23–24 October 2024, Trinidad & Tobago) on waste and wastewater management concluded with the “Declaration of Port of Spain 2024,” pledging stronger circular economy policies, regional collaboration, and private sector engagement.
Regional Circular Economy Meeting Concludes with UNEP Leadership
Held 3–6 September 2024 in Bridgetown under the EU-funded Zero Waste in the Caribbean initiative, the meeting gathered 60+ experts to advance financial tools and cooperation for sustainable waste management.
UNEP Champions Zero Waste Solutions in the Caribbean for Earth Day 2024
On 22 April 2024, UNEP urged stronger commitment to sustainable consumption and tackling plastic pollution in the Caribbean.
UNEP Forum Spotlights Youth Driving Zero Waste and Circular Economy Solutions
On 26 March 2024, UNEP’s International Day of Zero Waste forum gathered 500+ young leaders to share solutions for circular economies. CSRO Head Vincent Sweeney highlighted the critical role of youth in driving change.
Resilient Islands Webinar Series: Driving Circular Economy in the Caribbean Region
UNEP, OECS, and partners delivered 12 webinars in 2024 under the “Resilient Islands” series, promoting sustainable waste management and investment in innovative solutions. The launch session (31 January 2024) drew more than 70 regional participants.
Activities during 2023
CityAdapt Project Wraps Up in Jamaica with Focus on Scaling Urban Climate Resilience
From November 27 to December 1 2023, stakeholders met in Kingston to close the UNEP-led CityAdapt project, aimed at boosting climate resilience through Ecosystem-based Adaptation. At the November 28 symposium, partners discussed lessons learned and explored strategies to scale up efforts for protecting Jamaica’s vulnerable coastal cities. Among the project’s highlights were urban agriculture initiatives in schools like Camperdown High and the Abilities Foundation, where sustainable systems such as rainwater harvesting and hydroponics provided both food and educational value.
Advancing the Roadmap to Zero Waste: UNEP at HLF 7 in Guyana
On 26–27 October 2023, the 7th High-Level Forum of Caribbean Ministers for Waste Management, co-organized by the Caribbean Water and Wastewater Association (CWWA), UNEP, CDB, and IDB, focused on the “Roadmap to Zero Waste,” addressing plastic pollution, financing, and regional strategies. UNEP CSRO Head Vincent Sweeney reaffirmed UNEP’s commitment to sustainable waste management.
Advancing Waste Data Systems for a Circular Caribbean Region
A workshop in Kingston, Jamaica (12–14 September 2023), brought together 51 participants to enhance waste data systems supporting circular economy investments and sustainable practices. Organized by UNEP CSRO with the EU, CARIFORUM, and GIZ under the Zero Waste in the Caribbean project.
Integrating Gender Perspectives: Climate Action and Waste Management in the Caribbean
On 23 March 2023, a UNEP/UN Women-led webinar under the Zero Waste in the Caribbean project highlighted women’s pivotal roles in advancing climate action and waste solutions. CSRO Head Vincent Sweeney stressed integrating gender perspectives to strengthen the circular economy and progress toward the Global Goals.
Activities during 2021
Webinar on Marine Litter in the Caribbean: Legal Tools to Address the Crisis
UNEP’s Environmental Governance subprogram hosted webinars to promote laws and policies tackling marine litter in Latin America and the Caribbean. The CSRO held Webinar #6 on 21 October 2021 raising awareness among civil society, NGOs, and governments about marine pollution’s threat to biodiversity and communities.
Launch of the GEF UNEP/FAO implemented Child Project “Implementing Sustainable Low and Non-chemical Development in Small Island Developing State” (ISLANDS)
The virtual launch of the GEF UNEP/FAO “ISLANDS” project on 5 October 2021 marked the second phase of the Caribbean’s largest GEF investment. The initiative promotes safe chemicals and waste management, knowledge sharing, and regional cooperation in nine Caribbean countries.
Time to heal: Why restoring ecosystems is essential to human health
In a UN SDG blog, UNEP CSRO Head, Vincent Sweeney and Didier Trebucq (UN RC for Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean) called for scaling up ecosystem restoration in the Caribbean, a biodiversity hotspot, as countries face intense hurricane seasons.
