Update and Implement the Climate Change Policy Framework (JM0006)

What is the public problem that the commitment will address? Global atmospheric concentrations of greenhouse gas emissions due to human activities have grown since pre-industrial times (1750), resulting in global warming of approximately 1°C above pre-industrial levels by 2017. As a small-island developing state, Jamaica is particularly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, including sea level rise, increased threats to human health, and increased frequency of extreme weather events such as storms, droughts and hurricanes. Jamaica‟s vulnerability to climate change impacts is further compounded by social issues such as poverty, environmental degradation, and the location of human settlements and critical infrastructure in high-risk coastal areas. Jamaica‟s existing Climate Change Policy Framework was developed over a period from 2012- 2014 and adopted in September 2015. It therefore does not reflect important developments that have taken place since its adoption, including the Paris Agreement of December 2015, and accelerating trends in climate change impacts.

What is the commitment? To update the Climate Change Policy Framework and commence implementation of key actions under the updated Framework.

How will the commitment contribute to solve the public problem? The updating of the Climate Change Policy Framework for Jamaica will take into consideration the provisions of the Paris Agreement and other relevant international, regional and national developments in sectors, including the energy and transport sectors, as well as the Fifth Assessment Report (AR5) of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and other relevant United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) reports and material. Extensive consultations with stakeholders and the public will be conducted on the Green Paper which has been prepared for the updating of the Climate Change Policy Framework, which will serve as the basis for preparation of the White Paper for the updating of the Climate Change Policy Framework, to be submitted for Cabinet approval and subsequent tabling in Parliament. The updated Climate Change Policy Framework will advance the strengthening of Jamaica‟s adaptive capacity and resilience to reduce its vulnerability to climate change, pursuit of low carbon development and reduced greenhouse gas emissions, enhancement of access to and mobilization of climate finance, and promotion of public education and awareness raising, research and technology transfer towards ambitious climate action. Key actions to be undertaken under the Implementation Plan for the updated Climate Change Policy Framework will also include preparation of climate change legislation; development of the National Adaptation Plan, with funding support from the Green Climate Fund; vulnerability assessments at the national, sectoral and community levels; and a Capacity Building Initiative for Transparency (CBIT) project, funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF), to strengthen Jamaica‟s institutional and technical capacity to meet its reporting requirements under the Paris Agreement and UNFCCC.

Why is this commitment relevant to OGP values? The updating and implementation of the Climate Change Policy Framework is relevant to the following OGP values: 1. Access to Information: The overall implementation of the updated Climate Change Policy Framework will facilitate improved capacity for monitoring and reporting on information on emissions and climate change impacts. 2. Civic Participation: The development of the White Paper for the updating of the Climate Change Policy Framework and the National Adaptation Plan (NAP) will include extensive consultations with stakeholders and the public. 3. Public Accountability: Effective implementation of the updated Climate Change Policy Framework will facilitate the strengthening of the capacity to prepare and regularly publish national reports on the assessment of climate change impacts, projects, programmes and activities including National Communications, Adaptation Communications, Biennial Update Reports (BURs), Biennial Transparency Reports (BTRs), Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and State of the Jamaican Climate Reports.

Additional information The updating and implementation of the Climate Change Policy Framework is aligned with:  The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) 1992  The Paris Agreement 2015  The SIDS Accelerated Modalities of Action (SAMOA) Pathway 2014  The Forest Policy of Jamaica 2017  Jamaica‟s National Energy Policy 2009-2030  National Water Sector Policy and Implementation Plan, 2019  The National Strategy and Action Plan on Biological Diversity in Jamaica 2016 – 2021  The Disaster Risk Management Act 2015  Vision 2030 Jamaica National Development Plan – National Outcome No. 10 Energy Security and Efficiency; National Outcome No. 13 Sustainable Management and Use of Environmental and Natural Resources; National Outcome No. 14 Hazard Risk Reduction and Adaptation to Climate Change; and National Outcome No. 15 Sustainable Urban and Rural Development  Medium Term Socio-Economic Policy Framework (MTF) for the relevant three-year period  Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): SDG 7 Affordable and Clean Energy; SDG 11 Sustainable Cities and Communities; SDG 12 Responsible Consumption and Production; SDG 13 Climate Action; SDG 14 Life Below Water; and SDG 15 Life On Land

Milestone Activity with a Verifiable Deliverable Start Date: End Date: Complete stakeholder and public consultations on the Green Paper for the updating of the Climate Change Policy Framework November 2021 February 2022 Prepare White Paper for the updating of the Climate Change Policy Framework and submit to Cabinet March 2022 June 2022 Appoint Action for Climate Empowerment (ACE) focal point20 June 2022 November 2022 Complete stakeholder and public consultations on the preparation of draft climate change legislation July 2022 September 2022 Prepare Cabinet submission on preparation of draft climate change legislation and submit to Cabinet October 2022 December 2022 Prepare drafting instructions for preparation of draft climate change legislation January 2023 July 2023

Action Plan Review

Commitment 6. Update and Implement the Climate Change Policy Framework

● Verifiable: Yes

● Does it have an open government lens? Yes

● Potential for results: Modest