Barbados First National Communications to the UNFCCC November, Presented By: Christine Wellington

Transcription

1 Barbados First National Communications to the UNFCCC November, 2001 Presented By: Christine Wellington 1

2 Geography of Barbados Most easterly island of the Lesser Antilles (13.4 o N latitude, o W longitude) 431 km 2. Only non-volcanic, sedimentary rock island in the Caribbean Highest point of 340m in the highly erodable Scotland District to northeast. Rest of island low-lying: eg. coastal urban corridor, much 2 of this below 25m contour.

3 Population of Barbados One of most densely populated places: 268,000 (plus a significant tourist population ( ,00 annually) Growth rate of about 0.3%; 52% female: 48% male Majority live within vulnerable, coastal corridor on West and South-west: 65% within 2km of coast. Many live in flood plains. 3

4 Barbados Economy: Sectors Sugar Non-Sugar Agriculture Mining & Quarrying Manufacturing Electricity, Gas & Water Construction Wholesale & Retail Trade Tourism Transport Storage & Communications Finance & Business General Services Government (Few foreign $ earners!) 4

5 Summary of Barbados First Greenhouse Gas Inventory Total Emissions and Removals CO 2 Emissions CO 2 Removals CH 4 N 2 O NO x CO NMVOC SO 2 HFCs

6 Main Findings: Energy Sector CO 2 Emissions (Gg) from Fuel Combustion (Sectoral Approach) Fuel Combustion Sector Energy Industries Manufacturing Industries & Construction Road Transport Commercial/Institutional Residential Agriculture Other Total CO 2 Comparison of CO 2 Emissions from Fuel Combustion Sectors (1990, 1994 and 1997) emissions (Gg) Energy Industries Manufacturing Industries and Construction Road Transport Commercial/Institutional Residential Fuel combustion sector Agriculture Other 1990 CO2 Emissions 1994 CO2 Emissions 1997 CO2 Emissions 6

7 Primary Challenges in Undertaking the GHG Inventory Unavailability of emission factors specific to the Caribbean situation. IPCC worksheets in some cases not relevant to the Caribbean situation. Need to: Upgrade data collection and data storage procedures of gov t agencies with relevant input to the GHG inventory (eg( eg.. No estimation of forestry/vegetative cover for past 20 years). Sensitize the public, particularly the industrial sector, on the issues surrounding emissions of GHGs and the need for participation in inventory activities. 7

8 Barbados Vulnerabilities Climate-related Disasters: No need for DIRECT hit: Tropical waves in 1998 caused much human displacement and flooding damage. Hurricane Allen in 1980 passed to the north of Bdos leading to over BDS$ 7 million in damage. A tropical wave combined with an upper level trough in August 1995 together produced 225 mm of rain, and BDS $ 4 million in flood damage Need to strengthen meteorological warning capabilities, may need to relocate buildings and certain critical infrastructure in flood zones, strengthen preparedness and response. Coral Reefs and Fisheries: 4.9 km 4.9 km 2 of bank reefs and an estimated 1.4 km 2 of fringing reef around island, being damaged primarily by anthropogenic activity. Currently experiencing annual bleaching due to increased temperatures. Also experiencing fish kills (1999 especially). VITAL TO ECONOMY! Water: Nearly entirely dependent on coral limestone aquifer: no overland water bodies, 1 small desalination plant. Water levels only 0.3 m above sea level at West coast, where cachments provide 13.4% of total potable water budget for more than 20% of the island s population. At risk of diminished replenishment and (at coast) saline intrusion of aquifer. Water: Agriculture: mainly sugar-related (4% GDP, but crucial to foreign exchange). Already seeing increased temperature, changes in seasonality of rainfall, diminished overall water availability. Apart from obvious direct impact on crops, also seeing chemical and physical impacts on soils, changes in pest life cycle, livestock impacts (increased mortality in poultry, decreases in egg-laying and milk production), changes in fertility and fecundity, increased predation of crops by wildlife since natural flora biomass decreasing as well. Increasing 8 farming operational costs. Agriculture:

9 Results of CPACC Initial Coastal Vulnerability Assessment for Barbados Erosion Impacts: Major beach loss expected. Ranges of land loss (m) at 9 pilot sites along west and south coasts for three scenarios of sea level rise (SLR): for 0.2m SLR between 1.13 m and 3.03m; for 0.5m SLR, between 2.7 m and 8.0m loss; for 1m SLR, between 5.79m and 28.60m. Apart from causing collapse of beaches in some areas and great economic loss, land loss results in reduction in capacity of beach to protect against coastal INUNDATION! Inundation Impacts: Carried out simulations for a 1:100 year storm event for the aforementioned scenarios of SLR. On most of south coast, extensive flooding up to 1km predicted; a zone of flooding approximately 150m wide predicted for Capital of Bridgetown. On west coast up to 300m inland under water. Lots of critical infrastructure in the inundation zone (coastal highways, 99% hotels, sole electricity provider, police, fire stations, desalination plant, all fuel storage and 9 processing facilities, government headquarters and CZMU!!).

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14 Coastal Adaptation Options Review and continued improvement of coastal zone management and related policy Implementation of Set backs and zones for coastal buildings Coastal building code (elevated floors etc) Beach Nourishment Construction of groynes,, revetments and breakwaters (millions of USD needed). 14

15 Renewable Energy in Barbados Barbados the leader in renewables in the lesser Antilles. At the moment: 32,000 solar water heaters installed(hotels esp. heavy users), saving US$ 6.8M foreign exchange annually, with a savings of US$ 19.2 M for the consumer Approx. 37 kilowatts peak (kwp( kwp) ) in photovoltaic (PV) systems (uses range from lighting to schools laboratories, to solar ice makers for fisheries) Solar crop dryers and stills in use Proposing investigation into implementing: Wind farms (one proposed for 11.25MW at cost US$14M) A 60MW bagasse co-generation plant (boosts sugar industry also) 3MW Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) 10MW waste combustion plant 2MW wave energy plant Manufacture of high purity silicon for the computer chip and solar PV industries. Electric and hydrogen powered vehicles (esp. in tourism). 15

16 Summary of Technological Needs and Requirements Vulnerability and Adaptation work under CPACC must continue, so capacity building in the region can continue. (Regional Climate Centre; ; need to downscale global climate change models; ) Need for capacity building in agriculture, coastal zone issues, water resource management in relation to climate change No work in Barbados on health impacts of climate change. Evaluation and implementation of coastal adaptation options. Assessment of impacts on the insurance industry. Implementation of renewables projects and set up of Renewable Energy Centre (government initiative) Sustained, effective public education programme ALL NEED TECHNICAL AND FINANCIAL RESOURCES!! 16