Jamaica’s New Climate Commitments Recognize Conservation Value of Coastal Wetlands – The Pew Charitable Trusts

Report on Jamaica’s Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC 3.0) and its Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

Introduction: Integrating Blue Carbon Ecosystems into National Climate Strategy

The Government of Jamaica has formalized ambitious, measurable targets for the conservation and restoration of its coastal wetland ecosystems, specifically mangroves and seagrasses. These commitments are integrated into the nation’s updated Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC 3.0) submitted to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). The inclusion of these “blue carbon” ecosystems, which have significant carbon storage capacity, marks a major advancement in the country’s climate policy and its commitment to achieving multiple Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Alignment with Key Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Jamaica’s updated NDC demonstrates a holistic approach to sustainable development by directly addressing several interconnected SDGs:

• SDG 13: Climate Action: The core of the NDC is to enhance climate mitigation and adaptation. The conservation and restoration of mangroves and seagrasses directly contribute to carbon sequestration and build resilience in coastal communities against climate impacts such as storm surges.
• SDG 14: Life Below Water: By protecting and restoring coastal wetlands, Jamaica is safeguarding critical nursery and feeding habitats for a wide range of marine species. This action supports marine biodiversity, enhances the health of marine ecosystems, and contributes to the sustainability of fisheries.
• SDG 15: Life on Land: The protection of mangrove forests, which are vital coastal ecosystems, contributes to the conservation of terrestrial biodiversity and the prevention of land degradation at the coastal interface.
• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth: The health of these ecosystems underpins key economic sectors. Sustainable management of marine resources supports livelihoods in local fishing and tourism industries, promoting sustainable economic growth.
• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals: The development of these targets was the result of a multi-year, multi-stakeholder collaboration between the Government of Jamaica, The Pew Charitable Trusts, The Nature Conservancy (TNC), and the University of the West Indies (UWI), exemplifying an effective partnership for achieving sustainable development.

Specific Conservation and Restoration Targets in NDC 3.0

The updated NDC outlines a series of time-bound, science-based targets designed to deliver on these commitments:

1. Complete a national seagrass map and carbon stock assessment by 2025.
2. Include mangroves in Jamaica’s National Greenhouse Gas Inventory by 2030.
3. Restore at least 2,200 hectares of mangroves by 2030, with an additional 1,000 hectares by 2035.
4. Protect approximately 67% of the island’s mangrove forests by 2033.
5. Protect at least 4,400 hectares of public mangroves by 2035.
6. Conserve 100% of seagrass ecosystems within legally declared protected areas by 2035.
7. Develop and implement a no-net-loss policy for forests and coastal wetlands by 2035.

A Collaborative Framework for Science-Based Policy (SDG 17)

The establishment of these targets was underpinned by a robust body of scientific work and sustained policy engagement, facilitated by a partnership between governmental, academic, and non-governmental organizations. This collaborative framework ensured that the NDC commitments were both ambitious and scientifically grounded. Key technical and scientific contributions included:

• The first comprehensive mapping of Jamaica’s nearshore seagrass beds.
• A detailed carbon assessment of the nation’s nearshore seagrass.
• Updated mangrove maps and carbon stock assessments.
• Technical guidance on integrating blue carbon habitats into national climate frameworks.

This process involved regular engagement with the Climate Change Division, Forestry Department, and other government agencies, ensuring broad-based support and alignment with national priorities.

Implementation and Forward Outlook

Partners remain committed to supporting the Government of Jamaica in the implementation phase. Future support will focus on turning commitments into tangible actions that advance the SDGs. Areas of continued collaboration include:

• Providing technical assistance for monitoring and reporting progress.
• Supporting the development and implementation of relevant national policies.
• Identifying and mobilizing innovative financing for blue carbon ecosystems.
• Facilitating knowledge exchange with other nations in the Caribbean and globally.

Jamaica’s NDC 3.0 sets a new standard for integrating blue carbon ecosystems into national climate policy, serving as a model for science-based, collaborative action to achieve global climate and sustainable development objectives.

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

The article highlights issues and actions that are directly connected to several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The primary focus on climate action, marine ecosystem conservation, and collaborative efforts links the article to the following SDGs:

• SDG 13: Climate Action: The entire article is framed around Jamaica’s updated nationally determined contribution (NDC) to the UNFCCC, which is a core component of global climate action. The focus on “blue carbon” ecosystems like mangroves and seagrasses for their carbon storage capacity directly addresses climate change mitigation and adaptation.
• SDG 14: Life Below Water: The article is centered on the conservation and restoration of coastal and marine ecosystems, specifically mangroves and seagrasses. It discusses protecting marine life, supporting fisheries, and sustainably managing marine resources.
• SDG 15: Life on Land: While mangroves are coastal, they are also a type of forest ecosystem. The commitment to protect “mangrove forests” and implement a “no-net-loss policy for forests and coastal wetlands” connects the article’s themes to the protection and restoration of terrestrial ecosystems.
• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals: The article repeatedly emphasizes the collaboration between the Government of Jamaica, The Pew Charitable Trusts, The Nature Conservancy (TNC), and the University of the West Indies (UWI). This multi-stakeholder partnership is crucial for achieving the outlined goals.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Based on the actions and commitments described in the article, several specific SDG targets can be identified:

SDG 13: Climate Action

• Target 13.2: “Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies and planning.” The article explicitly states that Jamaica has integrated coastal wetlands into its national climate strategy through its updated NDC, marking a “significant milestone in the country’s climate policy.”

SDG 14: Life Below Water

• Target 14.2: “By 2020, sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems to avoid significant adverse impacts… and take action for their restoration.” The article details Jamaica’s new, measurable targets to restore and protect its coastal wetlands, such as restoring 2,200 hectares of mangroves by 2030 and conserving 100% of seagrass in protected areas by 2035.
• Target 14.5: “By 2020, conserve at least 10 percent of coastal and marine areas…” Jamaica’s commitment to protect “approximately 67% of the island’s mangrove forests by 2033” and “100% of seagrass ecosystems within legally declared protected areas by 2035” directly contributes to and exceeds the ambition of this target.

SDG 15: Life on Land

• Target 15.2: “By 2020, promote the implementation of sustainable management of all types of forests, halt deforestation, restore degraded forests and substantially increase afforestation and reforestation globally.” The commitment to “restore at least 2,200 hectares (5,436 acres) of mangroves by 2030” and implement a “no-net-loss policy for forests” aligns directly with this target’s goals of forest restoration and halting deforestation.

SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

• Target 17.16: “Enhance the global partnership for sustainable development, complemented by multi-stakeholder partnerships that mobilize and share knowledge, expertise, technology and financial resources…” The article describes a two-year collaboration where partners like Pew, TNC, and UWI provided “technical support, conducted field-based mapping and carbon assessments, and engaged closely with the government’s Climate Change Division.” This is a clear example of a multi-stakeholder partnership sharing knowledge and expertise.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

Yes, the article explicitly lists several quantitative and qualitative indicators that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets. These are the measurable commitments within Jamaica’s NDC.

Indicators for SDG 13, 14, and 15 Targets:

• Area of mangroves restored: The article specifies a target of restoring “at least 2,200 hectares (5,436 acres) of mangroves by 2030, with an additional 1,000 hectares (2,471 acres) by 2035.” Progress can be measured by the number of hectares restored annually.
• Percentage and area of mangroves protected: The article provides two clear indicators: “Protect approximately 67% of the island’s mangrove forests by 2033” and “Protect at least 4,400 hectares (10,873 acres) of public mangroves by 2035.”
• Percentage of seagrass ecosystems conserved: A direct indicator is the commitment to “Conserve 100% of seagrass ecosystems within legally declared protected areas by 2035.”
• Completion of scientific assessments: Progress can be tracked by the “Complete a national seagrass map and carbon stock assessment by 2025.”
• Inclusion in national inventories: A key milestone is to “Include mangroves in Jamaica’s National Greenhouse Gas Inventory by 2030.”
• Policy implementation: A qualitative indicator is the development and implementation of a “no-net-loss policy for forests and coastal wetlands by 2035.”

Indicators for SDG 17 Targets:

• Existence and continuation of partnerships: The article itself is evidence of the partnership between the Government of Jamaica, Pew, TNC, and UWI. The commitment from Pew and its partners to continue “providing technical assistance for monitoring and reporting progress” serves as an indicator of the partnership’s ongoing effectiveness.

4. Create a table with three columns titled ‘SDGs, Targets and Indicators” to present the findings from analyzing the article.

Source: pew.org