BLUE AND GREEN ECONOMY OPPORTUNITIES IN THE CARIBBEAN BASIN OCTOBER 2020 PREPARED BY: PREPARED FOR: AMBER MACKERETH CONSULTING NEWFOUNDLAND & LABRADOR IN ASSOCIATION WITH ENVIRONMENTAL THE MARINE INSTITUTE OF INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION (NEIA) MEMORIAL UNIVERSITY & a ATLANTEAN INC.This report was prepared by Amber Mackereth Consulting Ottawa, Ontario, Canada In association with The Fisheries and Marine Institute of Memorial Unversity of Newfoundland P.0. Box 4920 St. John's, NLCanada AICSRE ond Atlantean Inc,, St. George's, Grenada The report was developed for the Newfoundland & Labrador Environmental Industry Association (NEIA).. P.O. Box 1011 Torbay Stn Main Torbay, NL AK 1K9 Phone: 709.237.8090 Email: Info@nela.org mei 2 meio, Funding was provided by the Atlantic Canadian Opportunities Agency and the Newfoundland and Labrador Department of Industry, Energy and Technology Ae See Newfoufidland Fst Brcknadascanaa Labrador October 2020List of Acronyms: 1 Acknowledgements 2 1. Executive Summary 3 2. Introduction 4 2.1 Project Overview and Objectives 4 2.2. Defining the Blue and Green Economy 6 3, Methodology and Scope of Market Research 8 3.1 Approach 8 3.2. Methodology 10 4. Atlantic Canadian Capabilities Relevant to Blue and Green Economy. 10 4.1. Blue Economy Capabilities 10 4.2. Green Economy Capabilities 2 5. Overview of the Blue & Green Economies in the Caribbean Region B 5.1 Regional Strategies and Plans B 5.2 Country-Specific Strategies and Plans 15 6. Key Sources of Financing for Caribbean Green and Blue Economy & Relevant Projects and Activities 24 6.1 Key Sources of Financing and Relevant Projects 24 6.2 Caribbean Blue and Green Economy Events (2020-2021) 26 7. Key Findings and Market Analysis, w & Conclusion 30 ‘Appendices 32 {List of Consulted interviewed Organizations in Atlantic Canada 22 2cList of Consulted/Interviewed Organizations in the Caribbean 3 3:Listof Key Blue and Green Economy Organizations within the Caribbean, 35 4: Blue and Green Economy Projects in the Caribbean (Current and Proposed) a Stlist of References and Resources stLisT OF ACRONYMS: ACOA AF CANARI CARICOM cecec CREE coe cer CERMES ce cLMe+ CME CREAD cRFM ROP czmu eB Ger GeF loam IDB lr MMABE MPA NAP NEIA Nco ECs PCR RaRP. spas SIDS SOF useec uk UNDP: UNEP unFcee we wer WGEO Atlantic Canede Opportunities Agency Adaptation Fund Caribbean Natural Resources Institute Caribbean Community Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre Caribbean Centre for Renewable Eneray and Energy Efficiency Caribbean Development Bank Caribbean Environment Program Centre for Resource Management and Environmental Studies Climate Investment Funds Caribbean Large Marine Ecosystem Plus Commonwealth Marine Economies Climate Resilience Execution Agency for Dominica Caribbean Regional Fisheries Mechanism Caribbean Regional Oceanscape Project Coastal Zone Management Unit European Investment Bank Green Climate Fund Global Environment Facility, Integrated Coastal Zone Management Inter-American Development Bank International Financial Institution Ministry of Maritime Affairs and the Blue Economy Marine Protected Area National Adaptation Plan Newfoundland and Labrador Environmental Industry Association Non-Governmental Organization Organization of Eastern Caribbean States, Pilot Program for Climate Resilience Roof to Reef Programme Sustainable Development Goals Small Island Developing States Sustainable Ocean Fund Unleashing the Blue Economy of the Eastern Caribbean United Kingdom United Nations Development Program United Nations Environment Program United Nations Framework Convention of Climate Change World Bank Wider Caribbean Region World Green Economy OrganizationACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ‘The authors would like to thank NEIA and its partners for the opportunity to develop this report. Members of the Project Steering Committee provided valuable guidance at the onset of this project as well as insightful comments, con the first draft of this report and we would like to thank these individuals for their contributions. The blue and green economy are vast concepts encompassinga myriad of sectors, capabilities and considerations. ‘The Carlbbesn Basin Is similarly broad in terms of the unique countries that comprise the region. long lst of Individuals and organizations were therefore engaged during the research phase of this assignment to provide information on blue and green economy initiatives and strategy in the Caribbean, and on capabilities and industry strengths in Atlantic Canada (listed under Appendix 1 and 2) The authors therefore wish to acknowledge and thank the numerous individuals who generously shared their time and insights which have been critical in Informing this report1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY As part of its ongoing effort to support Atlantic Canadian organizations, NEIA has commissioned this report to shed light on the growing focus in the Carlobean region on blue and green economy, and what implications this may hhave for Atlantic Canadian companies looking to export to the region. In ine with NEIA’s previous geographic focus, the report gives primary attention to the 13 independent, English-speaking jurisdictions in the Caribbean Basin The report also reviews key capabilities of Atlantic Canada organizations that fall under the broad definitions of blue and green economy in order to map these against existing and emerging areas of opportunity in the Caribbean. The research reveals strong alignment across a number of areas within clean technology and ocean technology, specifically for applications related to climate change adaptation, resilient infrastructure, fisheries and aquaculture, marine renewables, maritime transport, and ports. Along listof green and blue economy projects in the region are identified and highlight a need for expertise in areas such as policy and regulatory development, Investment climate reform and enterprise development - elements that must be firstaddressed to create an effective enabling environment for blue and green growth. The report forecasts additional needs in areas such human and institutional capacity building elated ta varlous sectors of the blue and green economy, and data acquisition and management solutions related to resource assessment and monitoring. Climate finance from both climate funds and the international donor community appears to be plentiful. However, the region strugeles to identify and develop bankable projects to access this financing. Despite growth in cooperation through sub-regional organizations lke the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), and International organizations like the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP), another challenge in the region centers around the lack of a regional coordinating mechanism to facilitate regional strategy and policy coordination, Nonetheless, countries within the region are uniffed in their commitment to pursuing new ‘economic model and are forging ahead in establishing government portfolios dedicated to blue economy and sustainable development and creating the roadmaps for ongoing efforts. Barbados, Grenada and Dominica, in particular, have emerged as leaders within the region, Currently, the global pandemic is crippling many economic markets within the region. When attention ultimately focuses on long-term recovery efforts, however, the region has an opportunity to chart a new and innovative path towards sustainable, resilient and inclusive growth. Sub-regicnal organizations like the ECS, and international organizations like UNEP, are integral support mechanisms in this regard, along with the climate funds and the donor community. But the question remains as to whether it wil all be sufficient. itis clear, however, thatas the region continues on this path, many Atlantic Canadian capabilities are well-aligned to support the region's ambitious efforts, and while the Caribbean may appear to be in the early phases of blue and green economy growth, the time is ripe for Atlantic Canadian organizations to engage and determine how best to contribute to these efforts. Companies wanting to tap into opportunities in the market must understand the unique aspects of blue-green economy within the Carfobean context and must be wiling to commit to long-term, collaborative and sustainable engagement in the region. Building upon this report, a series of stand-alone strategic recommendations have been generated for NEIA outlining how to best support Atlantic Canadian organizations in this undertaking. One important element of the: recommendations centers on Information sharing and knowledge bullding so as to support the export community in better understanding specific opportunities in the Caribbean. It is also recommended that there be mutually reinforcing efforts to establish and grow institutional relationships within the region (e.g. between NEIA and organizations like the OECS Secretariat} whilst feciitating ongoing business development and networking directly between Atlantic exporters and Caribbean organizations.. INTRODUCTION This report begins with an overview of the project and its objectives, followed by a description of blue and green, economy that Is specific to the Carlabean context. Section 3 describes the approach taken to develop the report and the methodology used to gather and analyze relevant information, along with the project scope and its limitations. Appendix 1, List of Consulted/Interviewed (Organizations in Atlantic Canada and Appendix 2, List of Consulted/Interviewed Organizations in the Caribbean support this section, Relevant Atlantic Canadian capabilities are outlined in Section 4, divided into blue and green economy capabilities. Section 5 provides an overview of relevant regional strategies and plans in the Caribbean, followed by country- specific information for the 13 targeted jurisdictions. Append 3, List of Key Blue and Green Economy Organizations within the Caribbean gives additional detail on the primary actors and groups in the region engaged in supporting blue and green economy. Key sources of financing for blue and green economy projects and initiatives are provided in Section 6, along with 2 list of relevant events taking place in the Caribbean in 2020-2021. A key element of this section Is Appendix 4, Blue ‘and Green Economy Projects in the Caribbean. This Appendix provides a long list of current and proposed projects that may be relevant to Atlantic Canadian firms, Finally, Section 7 outlines key recommendations and market analysis based on the findings of the consultancy. A final appendix provides alist of references consulted in the recommended reading. ing of the report and resources for 2.1 PROJECT OVERVIEW AND OBJECTIVES As climate change, natural disasters, and now COVID-19, wreak havoc on the economies of the Caribbean Basin, blue and green economy are increasingly being touted as pathways for sustainable development. The blue economy, in particular, is being heralded by some as ‘the’ new development paradigm for sustainable, inclusive development in the Caribbean. Others, however, are apprehensive about the concept, citing concerns about a rush to exploit coastal resources without their careful management and protection. The acute focus on blue economy in the Caribbean can be attributed to numerous drivers. The regan has always been heavily dependent, both directly and indirectly, on ocean and coastal resources. The persistent and growing Impacts of climate change and the intensity of severe weather events are forcing leaders to look for more holistic solutions, This increasingly urgentneed to address and reverse ocean and coastal degradation has become integral to the fight against poverty. With roughly 20% of the region's population in poverty, Including higher rates in some Jurisdictions, governments are looking to the riches of the oceans and coasts to help sustainably grow thelr economies. And now, with tourism revenues gutted across the region due to COVID-19, it Is expected that poverty rates will Increase further. As the region grapples with COVID-19, food and livelihood security and high energy costs, the principles of blue economy are increasingly relevant to the Caribhean context, ‘The Caribbean region is also heavily dependent on international donor funding for project development. Thus, slobal campaigns such as the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) have a bearing on exactlyhow and where financing flowsinto the Caribbean. The United Nations Environment Program (UNDP) views the green economy asa vehicle to achieve the SDGsand advance the transitiom to low-carbon, resource efficient and inclusive economies. SDG 14 (Life Below Water) is focusing global attention on the conservation and sustainable use of the world’s ocean, seas and marine resources and this is only expected to increase inthe decade ahead, ‘with the UN having declared this as the Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021-2030), argued that an effective blue economy strategy in the Caribbean will help countries in the region to meet the following UN SDGs: Figure 1: SDGsto be supparted by a Blue Economy strategy uc 7 come” B i: Following on the heels of the SG Campaign, international Financial institutions (IF1s) ke the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) and the World Bank (WB) haive followed suit in prioritizing oceans and blue economy initiatives. An overview of IF support for blue and green economy initiatives in the Caribbean is presented in section 6, Iman effort to continue on the path of supporting Attantic Canadian organizationswith Caribbean export development efforts, NEIA and its partners (ACOA NLand the Government of NU’s Department of Industry, Energy and Technology) have commissioned this research and analysis to help better understand the scape and nature of ‘opportunities that may be generated for Atlantic Canadian exporters by the various blue and green economy initiatives underway in the Caribbean. While there have been numerous political statements, high-level discussions and publications referencing the importance of the blue and green economies to the Caribhean basin, most af these publications have focused an ‘the general approach and potential strategies for balancing the economic, social and environmental dimensions of these paradigms. There is an information gap in the literature, however, related to the tangible initiatives and programming that are currently underway in the Caribbean region. ‘The objective of this report is thus to present an overview of the commitment levels, current strategies and specific program and project development in the region asa whole, and of individual jurisdictions within the region, as It pertains to blue and green economy, By documenting the current statusof strategy development and identifying specitic ini the region, the report seeks to provide Atlantic Canadian organizations with an indication of potential areas of opportunity and specific projects and organizations to which Atlantic Canadian capabilities and solutions may be applied. ‘An ancillary objective of this repor isto analyze the capabilites within Atlantic Canada that are relevant to the blue and green economy so as to offer guidance on the alignment between current and forecasted opportunities and the offerings of Atlantic Canadian exporters. Under separate cover, strategic recommendations have ako been prepared for NEIA and partner organizations to offer guidance on how best to support Atlantic Canadian exporters. intheir pursutt of blue and green economy opportunities in the Caribbean basin,2.2 DEFINING THE BLUE AND GREEN ECONOMY ‘To help set the boundaries for the report, we first need to define both ‘blue’ and ‘green economy’, and more specifically, what unique considerations they hold in the Caribbean, While the green and blue economy are distinct concepts, they are intricately connected, and examples abound of their interdependence. In fact, blue economy is commonly viewed as subset of green economy. Extensive research has substantiated the fact that human activity, and carlson emissions in particular, are having a dramatic and negative impact on the earth's climate, Small Island Developing States (SIDS) are particularly at risk due to rising oceans and Increasing frequency of extreme weather events. Additionally, overfishing, coastal development, and pollution are depleting oceans and coastal ecosystems at an unprecedented rate, significantly impacting societal well-being, Green economy s not Itself a sector but rather a comprehensive approach towards sustainability of existing. economies or economic systems, The United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) defines green economy as an economy which Is “low carbon, resource efficient and socially inclusive”, and “one that results in improved human well-being and social equity, while significantly reducing environmental risks and ecological scarcities.” The World Green Economy Organization (WGEO) uses a similar definition while adding focus on climate-resiliency. Green economy is “an economic system that Is low carbon, climate-resilent, resource-efficient and socially-inclusive.” Figure 2: inclusive Green Economy Inetusive Green Economy Economy ‘cane ‘fn Source: The EU Switch to Green Flagship Initiative‘The relatively small geography and population of the Caribbean regjon and its constituent countries create unique challenges when seeking to transition towards sustainable and equitable economies. Asa result, green economy in the region has @ helghtened focus on social equity and local ownership. The Caribbean Natural Resources Institute (CANARI) a prominent regional organization which actively engages Caribbean stakeholders on the green economy, defines it as “a model of economic development for the Caribbean that facilitates ecological sustainability and social equity”. It further characterizes Caribbean green economy through language of self- sufficiency: “resilient to both external and internal shocks” and “self-reliant by being based predominantly on domestic production and investment.” Ths locally driven, locally owned green economy model is somewhat Unique to the Carlobean and is the definition used for this report. As noted above, green economy Is a comprehensive approach towards sustainability rather than a specific sector, per se. Thus, there are a wide range of sectors and activities that can be included within green economy. The UNEP lists 10 key economic sectors and these closely match CANARI's green economy focus sectors in the Caribbean, which are: Buildings & construction ‘Agriculture Fisheries Energy Forestry Tourism Transport Waste Water 10, Manufacturing & industry Within the Caribbean, and globally, there are competing interpretations of the blue economy -@ challenge which reatly complicates the development of regional policies and strategies and hinders the design and execution of projects and programs that could benefit a region such as the Caribbean which is largely comprised of SIDS. One point of disagreement is focused on the various industries that comprise the blue economy. Bellze, as an example, does not consider oll and gas to be @ partof the blue economy, whereas ather jurisdictions do, Though more recent in origin, the term blue economy has become widely used around the world, sometimes with very different meetings. Some definitions refer to blue economy simply @s any economic activity in the oceans, ‘maritime and coastal regions. However, most international organizations, and increasingly most national agencies, infuse the idea of sustainable resource management within their definitions. In Financing the Blue Economy, A Caribbean Development Opsortunity, The COB and the UNDP use a simple definition of blue economy: “sustainable use of natural resources in the world’s oceans, seas and coastal areas.” The report alsostates that for the Caribbean, itis particularly important to balance financial and economic gain with sustainable management of resources: “The economic benefits of the ocean cannot be reallzed without due consideration to sustainable development of these resources. An effective blue economy strategy, then, must seek to leverage our region's lorgest resource base - the Caribbean Sea ond bordering oceans - to achieve a balance between the three key pillars of sustainable development - economic development, social development and environmental protection.”Our report uses this definition of blue economy which focuses on sustainable economic development thats both socially inclusive and environmentally sustainable. Blue economy can be viewed as. subset of green economy. As such there is significant overlap between the two in terms of subsectors of focus as well as contact points, events, and opportunities, The recognized subsectors of bblue economy include: 10, a. Fisheries and aquacuiture Maritime transportation, shipping, and ports Coastal tourism, crulse ships, yachting industry Renewable energy Maritime construction/dredging Ship and boatbuilding Defense and security Deep sea mining, offshore oll/gas Water, environmental and wastewater management Marine biotechnology Research and education/training In the Caribbean context, blue economy sectors and industries are commonly categorized as being either ‘established’ or ‘emerging’, as depicted here below in Figure 3. Figure 3: Blue Economy Industries SS) es ~~ 2S Ee A rele | em oyen vo eS ® io ib|~ ‘Source: Financing the Biue Economy: A Carfobean Development Opportunity, 2018: A joint report by COB and the United Notions Development ProgrammeNumerous publications have emerged in the last decade that validate and quantify the great potential for the ‘ocean economy to advance economic growth, particularly for sland and coastal countries. Much ofthe literature has emphasized the need for intelligent frameworks around resource protection and social equity to accompany any efforts at growing the ocean economy. Thus, the concepts af blue economy and blue growth have now joined those of green economy and green growth to form part of our common lexicon. METHODOLOGY AND SCOPE OF MARKET RESEARCH 3.1 APPROACH ‘The purpose of this report is to.consolidate and analyze the broad spectrum of opportunities emanating from blue {and green economy initiatives within the Caribbean Basin countries and to map these opportunities against existing capabilities and offerings in Atlantic Canada. The approach to this assignment was therefore two-pronged and entailed a thorough examination of strategies and initiatives for developing the blue and green economy within the Caribbean, while also qualifying key capabilities within the Atlantic Region that might best align to these opportunities. This report's intended to present practical and current information for companies in Atlantic Canada wishing to contribute their service or products to blue and green economy initiatives within the Caribbean, Recognizing the relatively limited project scope (time and budget) for this undertaking, it was nat possible to conduct an exhaustive consultation of all blue and green economy stakeholders within the Caribbean Basin and throughout Atlantic Canada. However, extensive consultations in both regions (Atlantic Canada and the Caribbean) Were undertaken to gather input from a variety of stakeholders (33 officials across 24 organizations in 12 countries) Input from these consultations complemented the Consultants’ sectoral knowledge and experience in the Caribbean and familiarity with Atlantic Canadian exporters from within the clean tech and ocean tech sectors, specifically, A comprehensive desk review of recent studies and publications regarding the blue and green economies in the Caribbean was also part of the approach to this consultancy. Lists of key informants are avallable in Appendices 1 and 2, and a listof the resources and publications that have informed this report, is included in Appendix. Given the limited pan-Atlantic efforts to date to qualify or quantify the capabilities in ocean technology or clean technology, let alone the capabilities that fall under the broader realm of green and blue economy, interviews with key informants in Atlantic Canada were thus critical ta this component. Online platforms were used to facilitate Interviews, as the COVID-19 pandemic prohibited in-person meetings. Given that the wider Caribbean region constitutes approximately 30 countries and territories with varied national languages, twas determined during project inception, through discussions with the Project Steering Committee, that the geographie scope of the consultancy would be on the English-speaking, sovereign countries within the Caribbean region. This focus has allowed for @ more in-depth review of a smaller subset of jurisdictions. Thus, the countries covered in this report include Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, Ssint Lucia, Saint Vincent & the Grenadines, St. Kitts and Nevis, Suriname, and Trinidad & Tobago. While Suriname’s national language Is Dutch, It has been included as a focus country given the importance of cil and gas as a market driver, and that Englch is widely spoken within the business community.3.2 METHODOLOGY ‘The methodology for this report involved the following components: Desk Based Research ‘This segment concentrated on current information available through internet sources and focused largely on documents and publications related to blue and green economy Initiatives within the 13 jurisdictions of focus, as well as government websites, news and media outlets and project databases managed by the IFls and Climate Funds. Websites of Atlantic Canadian Industry associations and trade organizations were alsa consulted, along wi ppanvAtlantic export strategies for both Ocean Tech and Clean Tech, A list of documents consulted can be found in Appendix. It includes publications from a variety of organizations including national governments, IFls, and regional NGOs, many of which may be helpful to Atlantic Canadian organizations thet are exploring export ‘opportunities within the Caribbean. Discussions with Key informants Interviews were scheduled and held with key informants in both Atlantic Canada and the Caribbean region, spanninga representative cross-section of sector specialists, government officials end industry association representatives. Interview questions were open-ended and designed to support discussion around initiatives, primary actors, funding mechanisms, and opportunities for effective collaboration. informants were made aware at the beginning of interviews that these were being conducted in confidence, allowing for fulsome and candid discussions. Information collected was reviewed in its entirety to determine the existing Atlantic Canadian expertise of relevance to current initiatives in the Caribbean and how this expertise could potentially be applied through funding mechanisms and on-going projects. Based on the Consultants’ experience and through information gathered through the consultation process, recommendations were also developed for Atlantic Canadian firms wishing to bolster thelr presence and visibility Inthe Caribbean, 4. ATLANTIC CANADIAN CAPABILITIES RELEVANT TO BLUE AND GREEN ECONOMY 4.1 BLUE ECONOMY CAPABILITIES Atlantic Canada’s intimate connection to the ocean sector Is clear in Its use of “Atlantic” In describing the region's four provinces. The region's history and culture are defined by its ocean environment, and the utilization of ocean resources have influenced economic trends throughout the course of the regior’s history. The Impacts of climate change on the four provinces have further heightened the focus on sustainable management of the ocean and coastal resources. The term blue economy has only recently come Into use In Atlantic Canada. While some have Used the two terms —ocean and blue economy interchangeably, there is now widespread agreement that the two concepts are different. Whereas ‘ocean economy! refers to the utilization of ocean resources for economic growth, the concept of ‘blue economy’ also includes the dimensions of sustainability and social inclusion.What then are the primary sectors and export offerings within Atlantic Canada thet fall under the purview of blue economy? Where does Atlantic Canada have a competitive advantage and where might there be deep or broad blue economy capabilities that would align to the needs and requirements of the Caribbean region? While Its outside the scope of this report to provide a detailed inventory of the blue economy capabiities in Atlantic Canada, the following broad categories of expertise have been identified as competitive strengths. The services and capabilities referenced alongside each category Is not exhaustive and is indicative only of the spectrum of cepabilities associated with each category. All categories listed below include capabilities that are in demand in the growing fleld of diate resilience and adaptation. © Ocean Technology / Ocean Observation — A broad scope of technology capabilities and applications ‘encompassing approximately 160 companies producing globally competitive, ocean-based technologies for various industry segments, Strong offerings in the areas of sensing and imaging, ocean mapping, surveillance, data analytics, underwater acoustics, marine communication and navigation, robotics and autonomous vehicles. Many of these technologies and applications are specifically applicable to the _growing coastal adaptation work that's arising due to climate change. ‘© Marine R&D, Education and Training — Atlantic Canads is @ hub for cutting-edge research and technology development in areas not limited to ecosystems; sustainable fisheries and aquaculture; marine-derived ‘natural health products and bioproducts; marine renewable energy; ocean tracking; and marine safety. ‘The region boasts considerable academic, technical and community-based training capacity related specifically to the oceans and coastal erwironments, includingnautical, fisheries and aquaculture, ocean sciences, O&G, tourism, and marine and environmental law. Offerings range from short-term, custornized training programs to advanced diplomas, diplomas of technology, technical certificates, undergreduate and postgraduate degree programs. International collaboration and Institutional capacity building are priorities for several Atlantic Canadian entities. ‘© Marine Renewable Energy — Primarily centered on tidal but also including wave energy and offshore (fixed and ficating). Capabilities in the arees of project design ard development; policy developmer planning; monitoring; feasibility studies; engineering; and, software/modelling technology. ‘© Fisheries and Aquaculture —Specifc capabilities include sector development; community-based ‘management approaches; bycatch reduction, post-harvest technologies; food safety; processing plant quality management: aquaculture site development, monitoring and sensor technologies for asset and species tracking; small-scale fisheries, environmental monitoring; disease detection and surveillance; strategies for combating fish diseases; and, management of effluent emanating from aquaculture operations. ‘© Maritime Transport, Ports, and Coastal Developments — |ncluding climate resifant infrastructure for ports and coastal development; naval architecture; engineering, design and fabrication of ships and onboard systems; port feasibility studies; design and engineering of part and matine terminals; environmental and io-economic impact assessments; port (and marina) logistics and management software systems; marine navigation technology; ship and boatbuilding; eco/sustainable tourism, cruise {and yachting industry, marine LED lighting: port security; port and maritime systems simulation; and, ‘maritime safety simulation and training, As with the Ocean Technology / Ocean Observation category above, and other categories as well, the expertise in this area Is specifically applicable to the growing. coastal adaptation work that i arising due to climate change. uOffshore Oil and Gas ~ Subsea technology, engineering, installation and construction; remote asset operation and Inspection; oll spill detection and monitoring: oll spll preparedness and responce: environmental and social Impact assessments; environmental monitoring (technology and consulting); geotechnical and geophysical services; regulatory development; skills development and train health and safety ® Resource Management - Marine spatial planning, ocean governance, marine and environmental conservation, shoreline erasion control, resource monitoring, water quality, ocean science. 4.2 GREEN ECONOMY CAPABILITIES Based on research conducted for this report, it appears that there have been no efforts made to document or map the comprehensive Atlantic Canadian export offerings that fall under the general umbrella of green economy. With «well-established industry association for its environmental industry, there is @ clear understanding of the capabilities on offer in NL, but the lack of equivalent industry associations in the rest of the Atlantic Region makes it more challenging to narrow in on competitive offerings within this space for the region as a whole. Since an Inventory of green economy service and product offerings s outside the scope of this assignment, the following is reant only as an Indicative snapshot of the Atlantic Canadian capabilities In green economy. The categories and the associated offerings have been identified using the collective knowledge of the report's authors, combined with information gleaned through secondary research and targeted interviews with key informants in AUantic Canada. The categories are not listed in order of importance. ‘* _Environmontal Assessment, Monitoring and Management (Land, Coasts Oceans) ~ Offerings under this category include both technology and professional services and include environmental consulting services such as climate resiliency and adaptation (including coastal resiiencersk management), environmental impact assessments (EIAs) and resource management planning: cross-sectoral technologies for environmental cheracterization and monitoring: wastewater treatment solutions; Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) and living shoreline engineering; cil spill monitoring and response; waste management, reduction and treatment, including recycling and extracting value from waste; carbon capture, utilization and storage; and pollution mitigation, control and remediation. Within this category, there Is arobustistof Atlantic Canadian companies that are already actively exporting to the Caribbean. © Education, Training and R&D - With a large concentration of post-secondary institutions, there is both considerable depth and breadth of expertise in the area of ‘green knowledge’. This encompasses both R&D as well education and tralning services that span short-term customized tralning and technical programs to highly specialized degree programs, Areas of focus are not limited to sustainable design engineering, energy sustainability engineering technology, natural resources environmental technology, ‘ocean and earth sciences, resource and environmental management {including focused technical training In areas like forestry management, aquaculture management, agriculture, etc.) '* Renewable Energy — Atlantic Canadian capabilities in this domain are heavily focused in marine renewables, and particularly tidal, where the region has built strong expertise in the realm of planning, assessment, research and installation. With considerable Installed wind capacity on shore in Atlantic Canada, there is also strong know-how in the region related to development, installation and ‘maintenance, along with one noteworthy instrumentation technology provider In New Brunswick. Within 2the renewables sector, there are arguably strong capabilities related to offshore wind that can be leveraged from the area's oll and gas industry. In addition, the region does have expertise In hydroelectricity development, both with large and micro projects. = Enorgy Storage, Managoment & Efficiency ~ Smart gid technology and the related know-how is largely heralded as one of the region's mast competitive clusters. It includes well-established firms and a large number of start-ups. The Centre for Smart Grid Technologies at the University of New Brunswick is further bolstering growth in this sector. Energy storage solutions are also emerging as an area of capability within the region — again spurred by research and innovation happening within the region's post-secondary Institutions. A more established capability within this broad category is in energy efficiency. And while the expertise in this domain is largely service based (e.g, consulting, auditing, policy development), there are also a number of competitive technologies that are exported from the region, Many additional categories of capability were examined as part of this exercise. Although not deemed to be a core capability, the category of Green Building deserves some commentary. Atlantic Caneda's capabilities in this, domain are largely in design services (architecture, engineering, development], with a limited number of materials and manufacturing firms actively exporting products and technology. Although Atlantic Canada may not be at the global forefront of Green Bullding, most would agree that this could be attributed to low levels of lacal demand and an inadequate policy landscape which disincentivizes growth in the private sector. Given the current focus in many Caribbean countries on hurricane reconstruction, however, there are potential opportunities for Atlantic Canadian exporters in the Green Building sector. Arguably, developing and executing an export-oriented growth strategy could present an effective method of growing the sector within Atlantic Canada. limate resilient infrastructure, energy efficiency and sustainable building, and post- 5. OVERVIEW OF THE BLUE & GREEN ECONOMIES IN THE CARIBBEAN REGION 5.1 REGIONAL STRATEGIES AND PLANS While there is no pan-Caribbean green economy strategy per se, there are numerous examples of regional organizations, programs and projects that are merging the principles of environmental sustainability with social inclusion and economic growth. A list of organizations that are involved in green and/or blue economy initiatives in the Caribbean is found in Appendix 4 ofthis report. UNEP, for example, established its Caribbean Environment Programme (CEP) in 1981, Pethaps its most seminal contribution to the region is [ts role in the development and adoption of the Cartagena Convention in 1983, the first and only regionally binding erwironmental treaty in the region. It promotes the protection and development of the marine environment of the region and provides the legal framework for the Caribbean Environment Programme. With a motto of "Protecting our Caribbean Sea & securing our future", the program focuses on three core areas: 1) assessment and management of environmental pollution (including coordinating regional efforts related to oil splls, for example); 2) specially protected areas and wildlife; and 3) communication, education and training. Similarly, there is no comprehensive regional strategy yet established for developinga blue economy in the Caribbean. n 2016, the World Bank published a report entitled “Toward a Blue Economy, A Promise for Sustainable Growth in the Caribbear’. It sought to quantify the current ocean economy in the Caribbean and tolay out possible policy options to help transition towards a blue economy. One ofthe five key strategies put forward in the Breport was to “manage the Caribbean ocean space in a more Integrated manner”. While there are numerous ‘examples of sub-regional policies and management efforts in the Caribbean (e.g. the Eastern Caribbean Regional Ocean Policy endorsed in 2013), an integrated regional strategy or policy framework for blue economy growth is yer to be developed. A report published in May 2018 by the CDB, in collaboration with the UNDP argued that although there were examples of blue economy initiatives in the Caribbean, the scope and scale of these initiatives was below its Potential. It went on to explain that the effective adoption ofa blue economy concept required ocean sustainability to be mainstreamed Into economic modeling and decision making and that appropriate polices, legislation, incentives and infrastructure needed to be developed to attract investment and support the approach. ‘The study helped broaden and deepen the regional dialogue, specifically as it pertained to strategy development that would attract investment into Caribbean blue economy initiatives. Both the WE and CDB reports referenced above have thus emphasized the need for there to be integrated policy frameworks to form the foundation for blue economy growth In the Caribbean. In many respects, this focus on Integrated policy and planningis the main focus of those looking to advance the blue economy agenda in the Caribbean. Given that the Caribbean Sea directly supports the economies of 37 coastal and small island countries and territories, developing such an integrated approach is no small feat. While there are strong foundations within the Caribbean on which to bulld further cooperation (e.g, a regional fisheries policy}, and numerous inter~ governmental organizations that are already established and well-positioned to advance the agenda, the absence of one overarching regional organization to coordinate and lead in the development of a truly ‘regional’ strategy, is 2 Significant challenge for the region. Led by the UNEP, discussions are currently underway, however, for the development of a permanent coordinating and financing mechanism for improving Oceans Governance in the Wider Caribbean Region [(WCR), which, IF successful, would bode well for advancing the blue-green economy ‘agenda in the region. In part, these discussions are spurred by the ambitious Caribbean and North Brazil Shelf Large Marine Ecosystems [CLME4) Strategic Action Programme, a program funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and endorsed by 35 ministers across the WCR which adopts an ecosystam-based approach to managing shared living marine resources sustainably across the region. By far, thisis the most far-reaching Initiative focused on ocean governance within the region. \While only ‘sub-regional’ in nature, one organization involved In developing an integrated strategy forthe blue and green economy that deserves mention, is the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS}, an international inter-governmental organization dedicated to regional integration in the Eastern Caribbean. The OECS Secretariat's Environmental Sustainablity Division has a mandate of helping ts 11 member states in the sustainable use of prove livelihoods, Al four of the units that comprise the Sustainability Division (enerey, climate change and disaster resilience, biodiversity and ecosystems management and ocean governance) are focused on harmonizing policy, legislation and protocols across the region and all four carryout verious programs to build capacity of member states end address the unique needs ofthe region, natural resources t With funding from the European Union (EU), the OECS Secretariat, In collaboration with CANARI, has recently developed 2 Green-Blue Economy Strategy and Action Plan for the OECS, a draft of which was presented to the ECS Council of Ministers for Environmental Sustainability (COMES) for adoption in lune 2020. The Strategy aims to provide a more structured framework for implementation of holistic, sustainable economic development plan. Recognizing that the region has more seascape than landmass and that land-based interventions on these small islands have dramatic impact on marine environments, the strategy is predicated on the synergies between blue 14and green economy, The strategy is the first of ts kind In the Caribbean, and globally, to combine green and blue economy strategies for sustainable development. The OECS Green-Blue Economy Strategy and Action Plan is not intended as a blueprint, but rather a framework to guide countries, collectively and individually, to begin transitioning towards the Implementation of a strategy. Some of the Key objectives of the strategy are centered around: data-driven planning: human resources; regional coordination and leadership: greening key sectors; and supporting micro and small enterprises. ‘Another sub-regional initiative that focuses on developing the critical enabling environment for blue economy growth, more specifically, is the Caribbean Regional Oceanscape project (CROP) which is currently under execution. Funded by GEF, the project is managed by the OECS Secretariat and includes the development of coastal and marine spatial plans and national ocean strategies/policies for participating countries, CROP does not attempt to define the content of a regional blue economy but instead focuses on creating and enhancing the requisite policy and institutional landscape to enable blue economy growth in the region. A mid-term evaluation report of the project in February 2020, stated: “'The Caribbean Regional Oceanscape Project (CROP), represents a ‘major step in the important, innovative, long-term process aimed at developing a sustainable blue economy in the ECS region” (Renard, 2020). Extending beyond the Eastern Caribbean, unfortunately, there is less momentum and activity as it pertains to the development of regional strategies for blue and/or green growth in the Caribbean. And perhaps this should come {as no surprise, as developing effective blue and/or green economy strategy on a strictly national level requires complex multi-stakeholder collaboration and governance which can result in lengthy and challenging processes. An overview of national-level green and blue economy strategy and planning is thus offered in the following section for the 13 highlighted independent, English-speaking states within the Caribbean. 5.2 COUNTRY-SPECIFIC STRATEGIES AND PLANS While there are numerous organizations working on a regional or sub-regional level to advance planning and policy development for blue and green economy growth with the Caribbean, priorities and agendas are also being set at the national level. n the following section, the current state of these national, country-specific efforts is described. Specific projects that are underway, or in the planning stage, for each of these countries are captured in Appendix Antigua & Barbuda Antigua and Barbuda garnered international attention In 2017 when Hurricane Irma destroyed roughly 95% of Barbude’s infrastructure. The increasing intensity of hurricanes hitting the country is having severe impacts on its climate resilience. Antigua and Barbuda’s Department of Environment is the only national government entity in all of the Caribbean to be accredited for direct access to the world’s largest climate fund, the Green Climate Fund (GCF, This samme ministry also has accreditation to the Adaptation Fund (Af), thus enabling Antigua and Barbuda to more readily access much needed finance for climate change adaptation and mitigation initiatives.‘The country has undertaken a number of environmentally focused initiatives, including @ current consultancy (in progress} to conduct an analysis and develop a report on the state of the environment in Antigua and Barbuda. In its Mediuim-Term Development Stratezy (2016-2020) Antigua and Barbuda committed to initiate actions towards “ @ harmonious, prosperous and modern Antigua and Barbuda founded on the principles of sustainability and Inclusive growth; where equality of opportunity, peace, and justice prevail fora citizens and residents.”. The Department of Environment's 10-vear Strategic Plan for 2017-2027 also commits to environmental sustainability and lays out detailed strategic goals and implementation priorities, but makes no explicit reference to either green or blue economy, Instead, it's heavily centred around natural resources management with no real linkages made 10 leveraging these natural resources for economic development and livelihoods generation. {As of May 2020, however, the Government of Antigua and Barbuda has established a Ministry of Social Transformation and the Blue Economy. The Ministry is still in the process of confirming staffing and core functions and is yet to embark on the development of a strategy. Conversations ere underway with the governments of the Ukand China on possible support for the Ministry to set and advance their agenda. The only concrete initiative being advanced at the moment, though, Is the development of an aquaponies project. The Linited Kingdom (UK), through its Ccwnmenwealth Marine Economies (CME) Programme, provided support to Antigua and Barbuda in 2019 for capacity-building related to the blue economy. The Commonwealth Secretariat has also provided technical assistance to the Government of Antigua and Barbuda to develop an ocean governance framework to support the sustainable development and utilization of the country’s marine space and associated resources. The Department of Marine Services and Merchant Shipping is further developinga Maritime Strategy which will draw on principles of the blue economy. ‘The Bahamas The Bahamas comprises a cora-based archipelago of about 2,400 cays and 700 islands that stretch for over 1,200 km with only about 30 ofthe istands inhabited. The total land area consists of only 13,943 km* but due to the wide scattering of islands and cays, the country has @ massive exclusive economic zone of 654,715 km. The coastal and oceans sectors are thus citcal to the economy, with tourism and maritime industries being two ofthe most prominent. The country has one of the world's largest open-registry shipping fleets. Tourism, together with tourism-driven construction and manufacturing, accounts for approximately 60% of GDP and directly or indirectly {employs half of the country’s labour force. In 2019, the country attracted a record 7.2 milion tourist, nearly 20 times the country’s population. Butas with other destinations in the Caribbean, the industry has been decimated by COMD-19. There are several natural risks to Bahamas’ development, including frequency of tropical hurricanes, continual sea level rise, and coral bleaching. Government supports and services are very expensive to deliver due to the geographic distribution of the population across @ vast stretch of small low-lying islands. ‘The National Development Pian af the Bahamas (Vision 2040) does not explicitly reference elther green or blue economy, though consideration fs gven to environmental sustainability as well as green technologies and green/blue jobs. In early 2018, the Prime Minister of The Bahamas announced that a blue economy initiative would become a new priority for sustainable development and diversification of the economy. While there are no publications or reports yet released on the initiative, the Government has introduced policies to support the transition toa blue economy which aims to manage the ocean space and its resources jointly across some 24 different government bodies. The Bahamas’ National Maritime Policy, published by the Bahamas Maritime ‘Authority in 2015, establishes a framework to guide the planning and development of maritime activitiesrational and sustainable manner for the social and economic growth and development of The Bahamas, In 2012, the government of The Bahamas enacted the Electricity (Amendment) Act, to consider renewable energy systems eared towards reducing the country’s heavy dependence on costly and environmentally harmful fossil fuels to produce energy. In August 2020, the Government announced a US $200 million loan from the |DB for Boosting Resilient and Inclusive Growth in The Bahamas which aims to foster the development of the blue economy. The project focuses on traditional coastal and ocean industries such as coastal tourism, fisheries, and maritime transport but also on diversifying into emerging ocean-based activities such as marine aquaculture, safety, biotechnology, and renewable energy. Support wil also be provided to the management of Marine Protected Areas, part ofthe ambitious strategic goal to protect 20 percent. marine and coastal environment by the end of 2020. The Bahamas Development Banik, the Government's primary provider for promoting industrial, agriculture and commercial development, focuses its development efforts on the green, blue, and orange economy. Its Strategic Development initiatives (SO!) help to grow industries through targeted initiatives, financing and training, and external collaboration. The green economy initiatives focus on reducing carbon emissions and pollution, enhanced energy, resource efficiency, and preventing the lass of biodiversity and ecasyster services. Under blue economy it considers economic activities that generate wealth from the world’s oceans and coasts including fisheries, tourism, mining and energy, transportation, and environment and technology. Tourism is the primary sector In Barbados, accounting for 12.9% of GDP and Including cruise ships, recreational Yachting, and scuba diving. Shippingis also crucial to the country’s economy, with more than 90% of all imports and exports being transported by sea. Fishing Is Important, particularly fram a socio-economic perspective, including marine capture fisheries and aquaculture within the commercial, subsistence, and recreational sectors. Offshore petroleum exploration and desalination are also areas of growth in Barbados. In recent years, the country has been exploring new ways to advance its economy and to build on its tourism sector, particulary since the global downtown that impacted the ragion in 2008. With support from UNEP, a Green Economy Scoping Study was prepared for Barbados in 2012, linked to the Government's National Strategic Plan 205.2025. However, given the Intercannectedness of the green and blue economies, attention in Barbados has shifted greatly to the blue economy. Barbados has captured global attention by being one of the first countries in the world to establish a Ministry that is focused on the blue economy, the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and the. Blue Economy (MMABE). While 3 blue economy action plan is still forthcoming from the MMABE, the Ministry has prioritized the following areas as part ofits blue economy objectives: health of people and of the marine environment; transportation including international and domestic shipping and ports; climate resilient physical development; bio-technologies for fisheries and new marine sectors; and renewable energy to decarbonize the economy and to Increase economic and climate resilience. More specifically, blue economy strategic goals for 2020-2021, and ostensibly beyond, include ‘+ Improved transportation - the construction of berths and jetties to facilitate the operation of sea travel along the coastline: ‘+ Fisherfolk empowerment. training and skill development in boat bullding and related areas; enhancement of coastal and marine infrastructure and fish market; 7> Sargassum seaweed and fish silage utilization - development of biotechnology products and eneray production; ‘+ _Enactment of leg\slation - updating of shipping and fisheries legislation; enactment of new legislation governing the activities associated with the blue economy (e.g, plastics ban}; and ‘= Housing and hospitality - extension of the south coast boardwalk design and the finalization of the Coastal Zone Management Plan. ‘The Government of Barbados has also developed @ National Energy Policy (BNEP) 2019-2030 to achieve its goals of, 100% renewable energy usage and carbon-neutrality by 2030, which will Involve individual and corporate participation in distributed renewable energy. The Government, including the MMABE, has also placed focus on the modernization of the green and blue economies through more reliance on data and use of advanced technology. Most recently, the Government of Barbados has launched a Roof to Reef Programme (R2RP) which is an overarching framework for an integrated approach to addressing the negative impacts of climate change. In essence, R2RP Is the Government's sustainable development model for the next decade and efforts are underway to generate and grow a pipeline of projects under R2RP that will enhance the country's ability to recover from climatic events and help reach its carbon neutral goal by tapping into different sources of climate finance. ‘Asa regional hub, the CARICOM's Caribbean Centre for Renewable Enerey and Energy Eificiency {CCREEE) is located in Barbados, as is the headquarters of the Caribbean Develooment Bank {CD8) and the UNDP's Sub Regional Office for Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, The 108 is the biggest lending partner to Barbados and also has an office in Barbados. Other key players in Barbados include the Coastal Zone Management Unit (CZMU), and the Centre for Resource Management and Environmental Studies (CERMES) of the University of the West Indies (uu) Belize Tourism is Belize’s primary industry, based largely on marine assets including the World Heritage Site Barrier Reet, its biodiversity, and archeological sites which are primarily located in rainforest reserves. Agriculture and fisheries are also important contributors to the national economy. As such, environmental and marine protection have long been at the forefront of Government policy. This includes the country's Growth and Sustainable Development Strategy (2016-2019) which provided support to “Sustained or Improved Health of Natural, Environmental, Historical and Cultural Assets”. While this framework outlines actions and conditions for achieving Its goal, the strategy is now dated and lacks detall on how to leverage ocean resources for economic and social growth. Although lacking @ formal blue economy strategy, recent initiatives include a National Environmental Policy and Strategy for the period covering 2014-2024, Belize: Green, Clean, Resilient, and Strong, 28 well as a National Sustainable Energy Strategy (2012-2033), which outlines a number of programs and action plans for achieving @ low-carbon economy by renewable energy resources by 2033 through Improved energy efficiency and conservation measures as well as Increased development of the country's renewable energy. Other advancements have been made in the areas of MPA development, increases in marine replenishment areas, and reduction of illegal fishing. A moratorium on offshore oil exploration was passed in 2017, However, illegal agriculture and resource extraction remains an issue. Technical and resource gaps related to monitoring, resource protection and enforcement are driving the government to seek innovative technology and tools to Improve itsmanagement and surveillance of protected areas, including the !D8-funded Enhancing Conservation in Belze’s Protected Areas through Disruptive Technologies project Belize has also been the recipient of climate finance funds, most notably with the approval of @ USS 8M GCE project in 2019 to develop climate-proof agricultural value chains Por to this, the Adaptation Fund financed the Marine Conservation and Climate Adaptation Project (MCCAP) to enhance marine conservation and climate adaptation measures and the GEF provided US$8 M for an Eneray Reslence for Climate Adaptation Project. Dominica With a population just under 75,000, Dominica was the fastest growing economy in Latin America and the Caribbean in 2019. This success has been attributed to its green growth strategies. After being devastated by Hurricane Maria in 2017, and experiencing many other climate system varlations, the country committed to, becoming "the world's first climate-reslient nation” and launched a Citizenship by Investment program that would help fund renewable energy development and climate resilient infrastructure. It further establlshed the Climate Resilience Execution Agency fer Dominica (CREAD) to fast-track resilient reconstruction activities and to develop 2 Climate Resilience and Recovery Pan 2020-2030, which includes ‘Protected and Sustainably Leveraged Natural and Other Unique Assets’ as a key pillar. In addition, Dominica's newly established Ministry of Blue and Green Economy, Agriculture and Food Security has a vision of a "sustainable marine, land and renewable energy resources sector, transformed to drive the socio-economic development of the nation, whilst ensuring the well- being of the people of Dominica”. Other government ministries are also integrally Involved in green and blue economy planning. The Ministry of Economic Affairs, Planning, Resilience and Sustainable Development, for example, has led the development of Dominica 2030, a National Resilience Development Strategy (NRDS) that was released in January 2020. The Strategy aims to integrate climate resilience and disaster risk management into the national growth and development planning framework, While the strategy Includes strong alignment with social inclusion and pro-poor principles, as well as sustainable development and resource protection, it daes not explicitly refer to green ‘economy. Having long been recognized as the “Nature Island of the Caribbean”, with a vibrant eco-tourism Industry, the principles of green economy are, however, very much integrated into the strategy. Conversely, the blue economy is noted as @ key driver for economic growth In the country strategy, stating that the ocean already drives the fisheries and tourism sector, but that the Government will further “explore all opportunities available Within the blue economy for economic development and transformation.” As part of preparatory work for a larger, regional blue economy project that is under preparation (Unleashing Blue Economy of the Eastern Caribbean), a rational blue economy roadmap is currently being developed for Dominica with support from the World Bank. Dominica is also exploring options to create a ‘ResilienSEA Blue Economy Triple Bottomline Investment Fund’, which would leverage private sector Investment for protecting coastal assets and supporting fisheries. Grenada Comprised ofthe three islands of Grenada, Carriacou, and Petit Martinique, Grenada is recognized as a blue and green economy leader within the Caribbean, and the first OBCS country member to develop a blue economy plan. ‘The country has developed a Blue Growth Cosstal Master Plan and a Coastal Zone Management Policy focused on good governance, sustainable development, and capacity development, and has established a National Ocean. Governance Committee with broad representation along with a Ministry of Climate Resilience, the Environment, Forestry, Fisheries, Disaster Management. The Blue Growth Master Plan and the establishment of @ Blue 19