ABOUT
We are working to restore, rehabilitate and conserve Kingston Harbour mangroves
to boost Jamaica’s climate change resilience
BACKGROUND
The Caribbean Bio-Diversity Fund (CBF) established the Eco-System based Adaptation (EbA) Facility which was launched in 2019. The EbA Facility is financed by the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, and Nuclear Safety (BMU) International Climate Initiative, through KfW, the German Development Bank.
Mona GeoInformatics Ltd (MGI) partnered with The Centre for Marine Sciences (CMS), GraceKennedy Foundation (GKF) and Newer Worlds Ltd (UK) to successfully bid for EbA funding for its joint project – entitled “Implementation of Eco-System Adaptation Measures for the Kingston Harbour” – abbreviated “KHEAM”. This project is one of only 11 successful recipients, from a competitive field of over 100 applications from organisations and institutions across the Caribbean Region, who responded to the first Open Call by the CBF.
This ambitious and innovative project will receive approximately US$990k of funding from the Caribbean Bio-Diversity Fund (CBF) over a period of three (3) years to execute diverse activities on specific, priority zones across the Harbour. The project will restore and conserve 50Ha of mangroves and rehabilitate an estimated 250Ha of mangroves within the Kingston Harbour. It will also pilot initiatives to address the growing plastic & solid waste pollution, flowing in from the city’s gully courses, which are destroying the said mangrove ecosystems.
OBJECTIVES
The project’s principal objective is to rehabilitate and restore mangrove habitats in the Kingston Harbour, incorporating social and economic resilience to Climate Change, through 3 integrated work-stream components:
- Restoration and rehabilitation of mangrove habitats to reduce climate risks.
- Reduce land-based sources of pollution that have contributed to degradation of marine and coastal zone ecosystems.
- Education and engagement of coastal communities and diversifying & supplementing their livelihoods
PURPOSE
Mangroves are a critical component to the sustainability of the life and health of the Kingston Harbour serving as:
- Nurseries for fish and other aquatic life, providing shelter and nutrition,
- Filters for cleaning the harbour water,
- Anchors securing the integrity of the Palisadoes Tombolo land mass from erosion, and
- Buffers absorbing the impact from hurricane storm surges and the like.
- Without adequate and healthy mangrove forests the Kingston Harbour’s ability to support livelihoods and communities will be severely compromised and the population of the City of Kingston will be exposed to the effects of Climate Change – notably flooding and storm surges
project funders
A project of the Caribbean Biodiversity Fund, co-financed by the International Climate Initiative (IKI) of the German Federal Ministry for Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety through KfW.
Project partners
The Mona Geoinformatics Institute (MGI) has been awarded an ambitious and innovative project which will receive approximately US$990k of funding from the Caribbean Bio-Diversity Fund (CBF) over a period of 3 years to execute diverse activities on specific, priority zones across the Harbour. MGI is one of only 11 successful recipients, from a competitive field of over 100 applications from organisations and institutions across the Caribbean Region, who responded to the first Open Call by the CBF.
There are 4 Partners working together on the KHEAM Project:
- Mona GeoInformatics Institute
- GraceKennedy Foundation
- Newer Worlds
- Centre For Marine Sciences
MGI & CMS is providing the technical knowhow and scientific methodologies – utilising drones, satellite-based services, state of the art numerical modelling, 3D animation scenarios, harbour water quality and hydrometeorological monitoring stations and mangrove nursery facilities, amongst other assets – to ensure maximum impact of the project resources deployed.
Their focus is on restoring and managing the health of the 350Ha of dwindling mangrove forests dotted along the 65km perimeter of the Kingston Harbour, which provide the best natural defences against Climate Change actions.
GKF and NW are focusing on the community and human behavioural aspects of the project initiative. Work elements will include raising local awareness of interconnectedness of Climate Change Risks, Harbour Ecosystems and Pollution.
Simultaneously, they are strengthening the participation and capacity of targeted communities to implement EbA activities, exploring the possibilities for related entrepreneurial and supplemental livelihood incomes.
MONA GEOINFORMATICS INSTITUTE
The Mona Geoinformatics Institute (MGI) is the premier research institute for the Caribbean in spatial-based analyses and solutions. MGI excels in providing decision support spatial systems for both private and public users across a wide range of sectors. MGI focuses on applied research that responds to demands for nation-building locally and across the Caribbean Region.
Our S-M-A-R-T philosophy defines our data-focused approach to informing policy frameworks. Based at the University of the West Indies Mona, Jamaica, MGI executes advanced geographic information science research, physical and natural resources analysis, in addition to database and systems design whether as local or web-based systems for customised and turn-key applications.
GRACEKENNEDY FOUNDATION
GraceKennedy Foundation is committed to supporting GraceKennedy as a corporate citizen by creating environmentally sustainable programmes, promoting healthy lifestyles, and increasing access to education. Established in 1982, it is one of the oldest corporate foundations in Jamaica.
NEWER WORLDS
Newer Worlds Ltd is an international developmental, change consultancy based in London, UK, and operating globally, including across the Caribbean Region, since 2006. Over that period, the company has successfully conceptualised, developed, implemented, directed, and evaluated at least 10 large-scale, change projects, via its Managing Director, Vernon Barrett, securing funds through international competitive tendering processes.
CENTRE FOR MARINE SCIENCES
UWI MONA
The Centre for Marine Sciences, UWI Mona, conducts and facilitates research in the marine environment of Jamaica and the wider Caribbean, exploring the presence and status of coastal and marine species and resources while providing sound environmental advice to Governments and Non-Governmental Organizations.