the Convention were represented at the COP which is the implementing body of the Convention. COP 21 , for
the first time in over 20 years of UN negotiations, aim to bind all the nations of the world, including the biggest
emitters of greenhouse gases, will be bound by a universal agreement on climate to come into effect in 2020.
This meeting marked a decisive stage in negotiations on the future international agreement on a post-2020
regime. COP 21 concluded with the Paris Agreement which the Prime Minister signed in New York on 22 April
and which aims to hold the increase in global average temperature to well below 2 degrees Celsius above preindustrial levels, and also pursue efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1.5 degrees. The Paris Agreement
is a major achievement, and brings us one step closer to achieving the future we want and the survival of our
planet. The Bahamas looks forward to ratifying the agreement in due course.
The Ministry is also in the process of completing the Green Climate Fund (GCF) readiness proposal which will
support the Ministry of the Environment and Housing through the provision of $300,000 which will be used to
strengthen institutional capacity within the Ministry and position staff to access additional resources to adapt to
Climate Change. The programme will facilitate the training of MOTEH staff and other agencies within the public
sector as well as provide technology transfer.
Annex H
Agencies Achievements & Ongoing Initiatives
In the last fiscal period The Ministry continued the process of reserving Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) and
met its target of 10% reservation of the marine and coastal areas as protected zones.
The Bahamas National Trust (BNT) And the Nature Conservancy continued to provide support and assistance
to the Ministry of the Environment, supporting initiatives coordinated by the Bahamas Environment Science and
Technology Commission and other environmental initiatives coordinated by the Ministry.
The
BNT
continues to assist with the identification the near shore and marine areas for the next 10% of the 2020
Challenge for The Bahamas to protect 20% of its near shore and marine environment. A Grant from Oceans 5
will provide funding for the development and completion of Management Plans for national parks on two islands.
The BNT is working closely with the Minister of the Environment on the development of an Environmental
Youth Corps. This initiative will employ Bahamian Youth and prepare them for “Green Jobs” in the Parks and
Beaches Authority and within the National Park and protected area system. The programme seeks to empower
disenfranchised young Bahamians; providing those individuals with the skills needed to become successful in life
and blue and green economies. The programme also aims to target individuals with an interest in the
aforementioned fields; serving as a fast track tool for employment a s well as a feeder programme for young high
school graduates. Continued development of infrastructure for National Parks is a priority. Conceptual Plans
for Park Development have been developed for The Retreat, Rand Nature Centre, Lucayan National Park, and
the Abaco National Park. These parks have the greatest opportunity for visitation and income generation to
help support their operations.
Through the efforts of The Nature Conservancy, another NGO, The Waitt Foundation has approved in
December 2016 a $100,000 grant to support the operations of The Bahamas Protected Area Fund. Following
the expansion of the Bahamas Protected Area Network in August 2015 The Nature Conservancy has secured
more than 1.5 million dollars to support effective management of these areas.
The Bahamas Protected Area Fund Board, established in 2015, was successful in its application for a grant from
the Waite Foundation to facilitate its work through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Ministry
of The Environment & Housing.
The newly created Bahamas Public Parks and Public Beaches Authority was established with effect from 1st July
and is operating to improve the management of public recreational areas. Parks and grounds on several Family
Islands damaged by Hurricane Joaquin are being repaired by the Authority at an estimated cost of $2 million.
The Forestry Unit completed the draft of the National Forest Estate maps for the pine islands (Abaco, Andros,
Grand Bahama and New Providence). The Forestry Handbook 2014, entitled Pine Forest Management in The
Bahamas has been given final approval by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations.
The handbook serves as a guide to basic forest management concepts, and forest related activities. It is
anticipated that this resource book will be used to facilitate the scientific based management of the impending
National Forest Estate.
[507]
2016/2017
DRAFT
ESTIMATES
OF REVENUE &
EXPENDITURE