The purpose of the Act is to implement the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, the Paris Agreement and the Kyoto Protocol in Saint Lucia. It provides for the functions of the Department responsible for climate change matters, establishes an electronic climate change database and the Climate Change Committee, and sets the parameters for developing climate change policies and plans.
Active transparency (articles 4 and 7)
The Act intends to engage authorized officers to collect information in relation to emission reduction projects and monitor emissions and continuously educate and inform all stakeholders about climate change, its impacts, preparedness, and opportunities.
The Department responsible for climate change matters will act as a repository and disseminate data and information on climate change, support efforts towards climate change awareness, prepare relevant reports for UNFCCC, develop a greenhouse gas inventory and maintain an electronic climate change database. The database must include national and sectoral scientific data, research, assessments; laws, policies, plans, strategies; greenhouse gas inventory and emission reduction targets; National communications and reports; climate finance initiatives; vulnerability and risk assessments; research and monitoring reports, risk scenarios, research, and any other information relating to Saint Lucia. The database will be accessible to the public, including people with disabilities.
Participation in environmental matters (articles 4)
The Department responsible for climate change will work with experts to assist with providing advice relating to climate change and establish procedures for and hold, facilitate and support public consultations on matters relating to climate change, including the public and private sector, civil society and other groups of stakeholders.
Participation in plans, programmes and policies (articles 8, schedule 5, 19g and 20)
The Climate Change Committee includes representation from diverse sectors including government agencies, private sector, civil society organizations, youth organizations, environmental organizations and other key stakeholders. The Minister can expand committee membership to include additional representatives from the public sector, private sector, civil society and vulnerable groups.
The Department shall coordinate the participation and engagement of stakeholders.
Before finalizing the Climate Change Adaptation Policy and the National Adaptation Plan, the Department must publish on a climate change database a notice indicating the availability of these draft documents for public comment. This notice should include: (a) an indication that the drafts are open for public review, (b) a statement inviting written submissions to the Permanent Secretary, (c) details on where and how to submit comments and must be made available electronically on the climate change database.
Education (article 2)
“Action for Climate Empowerment” in the act means to empower all members of society to engage in climate action, through six elements, namely, climate change education and public awareness, training, public participation, public access to information, and international cooperation on these issues.
