NEW YORK — On Saturday, May 9, 2015, the French Caribbean island of Martinique will host the regional summit, Caribbean Climate 2015, which will be chaired by French President François Hollande.
Hon. Minister of the Environment Claude Hogan is scheduled to represent Montserrat at the summit, which will gather over 40 heads of state, governments and Caribbean organizations to discuss the impact of climate change on the island nations of the Caribbean. French Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Development, Mr. Laurent Fabius, will also be attending.
Organized by the Regional Council of Martinique, presided by Mr. Serge Letchimy, the summit goal is to give a voice to Caribbean nations on climate change through a joint statement to be heard at COP 21*, which will be held in Paris from November 30 to December 15, 2015.
“Caribbean Climate 2015 is a push” said Serge Letchimy, “to vigorously encourage the international community to reach an agreement at COP21* to keep global warming below 2°C. This is a crucial goal for Caribbean island nations that are particularly vulnerable to climate change and which only contribute 0.3% of global greenhouse emissions.”
Martinique is addressing the climate issue by aggressively implementing the Climate, Air and Energy Master Plan developed in cooperation with the French Government. In order to promote a more circular economy that consumes less non-renewable resources, the Regional Council of Martinique has also decided to go beyond the Master Plan with a program called “Martinique – Sustainable Island.” The goal is to achieve a 100% renewable energy mix by 2030.
*The 21st Conference of Parties of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change
For more information www.us.martinique.org/pdf/caraibe-climat.pdf
About Martinique
The Caribbean Island with French Flair, The Isle of Flowers, The Rum Capital of the World, The Isle of the Famed Poet (Aimé Césaire) – Martinique ranks among the most alluring and enchanting destinations in the world. As an overseas region of France, Martinique boasts modern and reliable infrastructure – roads, water and power utilities, hospitals, and telecommunications services all on par with any other part of the European Union. At the same time, Martinique’s beautifully unspoiled beaches, volcanic peaks, rainforests, 80+ miles of hiking trails, waterfalls, streams, and other natural wonders are the equal of neighboring Dominica to the north and St. Lucia to the south, so visitors here truly get the best of both worlds.
