T&T diplomat highlights major climate change disparities in the Caribbean

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…calls on major emitters to lead the charge A LEADING diplomat from the twin island Republic of Trinidad and Tobago (T&T) has raised critical concerns about climate change disparities affecting Caribbean nations, urging major global emitters to take the lead in mitigating the crisis. During his recent appearance on the Energy Perspectives Podcast, T&T High Commissioner to Guyana, Conrad Enill, emphasised that while the Caribbean contributes minimally to global carbon emissions, the region disproportionately bears the brunt of climate impacts. The diplomat pointed out that countries like the United States of America (USA), China, and India are responsible for 30 per cent of current carbon dioxide (CO2) concentrations, a figure that dwarfs the less than one per cent contribution from Caribbean nations. Enill stressed that while Caribbean countries are engaged in conversations about mitigating the impact of climate change, the real challenge lies with the major emitters.

Aftermath of Hurricane Beryl in Petite Martinique, Grenada. The hurricane caused severe damage to infrastructure, services and livelihoods in Grenada, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and Jamaica. Photo: UN/Arthur Daniel “Unless that 30 per cent is reduced significantly, the less than one per cent of energy in the Caribbean collectively will make absolutely no impact. I say that to say that while the conversation is about the impact on us [the Caribbean], the response cannot be for us to try to do something about it. The volume that we have is not the problem. The problem is the large countries and the larger countries are finding it difficult to replace that low-cost energy with the more efficient forms of energy,” the ambassador reasoned. He argued Caribbean nations do not control the oil and gas companies that profit from exploiting their resources, noting that these multinationals continue to dominate the energy sector. He highlighted that the Caribbean’s limited emissions should not bear the same level of scrutiny as those from larger economies, which are struggling to transition from low-cost fossil fuels to more sustainable energy sources. Enill also called attention to the upcoming 2024 United Nations Climate Change Conference or Conference of the Parties of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), more commonly known as COP29, which aims to address the challenges faced by Small Island Developing States (SIDS).

He warned that without significant changes by profit-driven multinationals towards renewable energy, the global transition to green energy could lag, leaving vulnerable regions like the Caribbean at risk. Guyana’s conservation efforts, despite preserving over 85 per cent of its landmass as lush rainforests, often go unrecognised globally, Minister of Natural Resources Vickram Bharrat recently highlighted. He said those nations in the Global South, like Guyana, play a critical role in combating climate change yet lack the funding and recognition received by countries with high deforestation rates, underscoring the need for equitable global support.

According to the United Nations Trade and Development (UNTAD), the Global South broadly comprises Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean, Asia (excluding Israel, Japan, and South Korea), and Oceania (excluding Australia and New Zealand). The Atlantic hurricane season, which is resulting in stronger and more frequent tropical storms, mostly affects the Caribbean countries.

Hurricane Beryl, a powerful and early-season Category Five storm that impacted parts of the Caribbean, highlighted the increasing intensity of hurricanes fuelled by climate change. Caribbean leaders have underscored the urgent need for global action to combat rising temperatures and sea levels. They have stressed that countries must, among other things, intensify efforts to reduce carbon emissions and invest in sustainable solutions to protect vulnerable communities from the escalating impacts of extreme weather events.

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T&T diplomat highlights major climate change disparities in the Caribbean

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