Earth Day 2022: Climate Change and Climate Action in The Bahamas pre and post COP26

On Earth Day 2022, and as the Bahamian Government prepares to host the first ever English-speaking regional youth conference on climate change, we reflect on Ambassador Clouder’s experience in The Bahamas pre and post COP26.

High Commissioner Sarah Dickson said:

Climate change is a global issue. The big policy issues are something we have to work on together internationally. No country can solve these problems by itself, but we can all play our role to achieve worldwide outcomes.

Ambassador Clouder visited The Bahamas in October 2021 to support the UK’s COP26 objectives. She met representatives of government, private sector and environmental NGOs. One of the key messages that Ambassador Clouder discussed was that governments play a critical role in reducing carbon emissions as part of their medium term to long-term policy priorities.

Ambassador Clouder accompanied by High Commissioner Dickson during a visit to Grand Bahama saw first-hand how extreme weather and other environmental challenges can impact The Bahamas — The damage caused by hurricane Dorian is being slowly addressed by organisations such as the Bahamas National Trust and Coral Vita.

Making sure the coastline is strong with reefs and mangroves will make a difference for the future. Climate change mitigation, adaptation, and resilience begin with everyday choices that we make. People can reduce their carbon footprints and participate in protecting and restoring the environment through tree planting and other nature based solutions to climate change.

In her follow-up visit in March 2022, Ambassador Clouder heard progress reports from the Ministers for Environment and Natural Resources; Agriculture, Marine Resources and Family Island Affairs; and Economic Affairs. The Bahamian Government’s climate policy priorities are: adaptation measures to protect communities and natural habitats form the effects of climate change, mobilising finance for green renewal, and accelerating collaboration between government and civil society (including youth) to deliver on Bahamian climate goals faster.