Caribbean countries and marine stakeholders have developed a regional roadmap for marine carbon reduction and achieving a just transition in the region. This initiative aims to provide a common framework for advancing practical projects, investments, and technical cooperation.
Regional Roadmap for Marine Carbon Reduction
The Caribbean regional roadmap for marine carbon reduction and just transition (2027–2035) seeks to provide a practical framework for coordinated regional action, technical cooperation, and investment. This roadmap was developed during a regional workshop held in Georgetown, Guyana on October 28 and 29.
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Strategic Priorities for Action
This event brought together representatives from maritime agencies, the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), the Caribbean Shipping Association (CSA), financial institutions, regional universities, and other marine stakeholders. The goal of this workshop was to identify priority actions for implementing the IMO greenhouse gas strategy in 2023, while ensuring affordable transport, regional connectivity, and essential marine services.
Five strategic priorities for action include:
- Policy, Governance, and Regional Cooperation: Strengthening national maritime laws, institutional capacities, and supporting national GHG marine action plans and regional coordination.
- Energy-efficient Maritime Transport, Green Ports, and Digitalization: Improving energy efficiency of ships and ports, collecting emission data, and accessing clean electricity.
- Sustainable Marine Fuels, Bunkering, and Green Corridors: Assessing alternative marine fuels, infrastructure needs, and opportunities for green transport corridors.
- Financing, Investment, and Project Development: Identifying investment opportunities and developing a pipeline of regional projects.
- Capacity Development, Safety, and Just Transition: Strengthening maritime education, promoting gender equality and youth opportunities, and protecting workers and vulnerable communities.
One key outcome was the development of a draft action matrix that translates these priorities into actionable steps with timelines, milestones, performance indicators, potential partners, and funding needs.
Next steps include gathering and distributing the roadmap and action matrix to member countries for national consultations. Feedback is expected by December 20, 2026.
Proposed next steps include review through the regional Directors and Heads of Maritime Agencies (DIHMAR) process in January 2027, followed by engagement through relevant CARICOM mechanisms. This roadmap may also be used as part of a presentation to the 77th session of the IMO Technical Cooperation Committee in June 2027.
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