The Virgin Islands Climate Change Adaptation Policy is a national policy with a multi-sectoral approach. This Policy aims at facilitating the transition to climate resilient, low carbon development by implementing measures in the fields of natural resources and fisheries, tourism, insurance and banking, agriculture, health, critical infrastructure, human settlements and water resources, and energy. Food security will be strengthened against the impacts of climate change through increased climate-resilient agricultural production. An institutional, administrative and legislative framework will be created to address climate change in a sustainable manner. A local Climate Change Trust Fund will be established to provide financial support. Public awareness will be raised on the risks arising from climate change at all levels and in all sectors for enhanced environmental, land, disaster and tourism management and increased energy security. The resilience and natural adaptive capacity of natural resources, including terrestrial, coastal and marine ecosystems as well as the fishery resource base will be enhanced through improved environmental legislation, enforcement systems and management, expanded protected areas, and adequate resourcing and capacity building. Land use management will be strengthened taking into consideration planning objectives, natural hazard threats and environmental features. A better managed, more resilient, diverse and environmentally responsible tourism industry will be created and maintained. Energy conservation and efficiency will be promoted and use of renewable energy will be encouraged to increase energy security. Government shall endeavour to obtain the participation of all key stakeholders through a well-coordinated and harmonized process that maximizes resources and efficiencies. Early warning systems will be developed to minimise the adverse impacts of climate change as well as the costs of impacts and adaptation. Appropriate technologies and best practices will be adopted to address the causes and effects of climate change. Water conservation and efficiency will be ensured by increasing resilience to flood and drought. Food security will be strengthened to coping with climate change risks in agriculture and fisheries sectors and sustain climate-resilient, low-carbon development by expanding local agricultural production. Climate-smart agriculture will be applied through the implementation of best practices for drought, flood, hurricane, pest and disease resilience, changes in preferred crop and livestock varieties, investment in agricultural technologies to control climate and diseases, expansion and protection of agricultural lands, and effective water management. The capacity of the health care sector and the public will be enhanced to deal with climate related health impacts, such as increased incidence of dengue fever, ciguatera and childhood asthma. Climate change adaptation will be integrated into existing and newly formulated sectoral and national management plans and development strategies to ensure the impacts of climate change be considered in all relevant decision making processes. This Policy will be integrated into the agenda and work programmes of all Ministries and relevant departments and will guide policies and decisions made by relevant national committees and bodies. The implementation of this Climate Change Policy will be monitored by the National Climate Change Committee. The terms of reference and composition of the Committee will be periodically reviewed by the Government to ensure its mandate will be fulfilled.
جزر فيرجين البريطانية (المملكة المتحدة) · 2012-02-01