As the Latin American and Caribbean Network of Environmental Funds (RedLAC) kicked off its 26th annual Congress in St Lucia on October 7, presenters called for attendees to recognise the value of working with each other if the region is to be successful in conserving 30 percent of its biodiversity by 2030.
In delivering his keynote address during the opening ceremony, Prof. Dale Webber listed community engagement and regional cooperation as key priorities to advancing the 30×30 goal in the Caribbean.
With the Congress themed 30x30x30: The Path to 2030, Webber drew on his experience as a renowned coastal ecologist, former Principal of the UWI Mona Campus, and regional environmental consultant, to give a detailed presentation meant to empower attendees to expand their efforts.
Webber shared, “Achieving these ambitious conservation goals requires more than just setting targets.
“It demands effective collaboration, inclusive strategies and careful consideration of various social, economic, environmental, and, for us in the Caribbean, historical and cultural factors.”
Outlining the region’s diverse ecosystems that span from coral reefs to rainforests, Webber told attendees that the effectiveness of their work in the conservation trust fund space can benefit from working together with not just other attendees but across sectors.
For example, working directly with local communities, especially indigenous people, can help conservation trust funds identify and support projects which incorporate traditional knowledge and community-based management that are central to inclusive and sustainable conservation outcomes.
“The interconnected nature of Caribbean ecosystems requires strong regional cooperation.Transboundary conservation initiatives, shared resources, and collaborative policies will be crucial for achieving the 30×30 goal across the region.The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and other regional bodies can play a pivotal role in coordinating these efforts.”
Apart from calling for a strengthening of cross-sector collaboration, Webber said it is important that 30×30 strategies start expanding to include new areas.
Highlighting the region’s vulnerability to climate change, he noted protecting natural buffers like mangroves and coral reefs also mitigates the impact of sea-level rise and storms.
When conservation efforts are designed from this angle, he said it recognises that they are being designed to withstand changing environmental conditions which will also get greater buy-in from funders and the public.
He added, “But achieving the 30×30 goal will require significant financial investment. The Caribbean must explore innovative financing mechanisms, such as blue bonds, payments for ecosystem services, and public-private partnerships, to fund conservation efforts.”
In an interview after giving his address at the opening ceremony, CEO of the Saint Lucia National Conservation Fund (SLUNCF), Craig Henry, echoed the sentiments of Webber and highlighted the strengths of partnerships to achieve the 30×30 goal.
To do this, Henry said funds like the SLUNCF must create a “groundswell” of enthusiasm by working with grassroot organisations, local community movements and initiatives.
He explained “At the Saint Lucia National Conservation Fund, we have recognised that we also have to create strategic partnerships at that level to do this effectively.
“When we do this, we can channel the types of investments and resources that will strengthen not only our own capacity but the capacity of these communities.”
Over the past several years, Henry shared that the SLUNCF has been on a drive of funding capacity-building efforts for NGOs in the country for mentorship programmes and goal-setting.
Through this process, the fund has been strategically assisting these groups to align their activities with the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) and other global environmental frameworks.
“Without community involvement and engagement, we cannot forge environmental stewardship. When we speak of climate resilience, biodiversity restoration and sustainable livelihoods…what do those things mean to the folks at the community level, what do those things mean to fisherfolk, seamoss farmers and community leaders?”
By asking those questions, Henry said RedLAC members will continue to better understand the regional needs and what should determine funding priorities as the region looks towards implementing the targets of the GBF in the coming years.
CEO of the Caribbean Biodiversity Fund (CBF), Karen McDonald Gayle, said the Congress serves as a call to action for deeper collaboration, outreach and strengthening of commitments.
While many may think 30×30 is a distant goal, Gayle said it’s an urgent priority that requires all hands on board.
“One of our core missions is to establish the CBF as an effective, regionally anchored organization. Particularly relevant to our work today is the collaboration with our partner National Conservation Trust Funds (NCTFs) as they are receiving disbursements from the CBF Endowment Fund to create a Caribbean Sustainable Finance Architecture. This architecture isn’t just about securing funds; it’s about building resilient finance mechanisms and systems.”
Throughout the region, Gayle said the CBF has designed projects aimed at building the capacity of conservation trust funds in areas like environmental and social safeguarding, gender mainstreaming, governance, and grantmaking.
The CBF is investing in these efforts because they see conservation trust funds, like those in the RedLAC network, to be the drivers towards achieving environmental targets.
She added, “We have created innovative financial mechanisms and partnerships that mobilize resources to conserve our precious ecosystems. Every hectare protected, every species conserved, and every community engaged moves us closer to a sustainable future. Over the next few days (of the 2024 RedLAC Congress), we will share knowledge, discuss challenges, and forge new alliances that will let us maximize the power of RedLAC which lies in the diversity of our members.”
