Jamaica
Overall NDC Equity Score
Insufficient
Emissions Reductions
Average
The NDC meets basic expectations in emissions reductions, but is still not ambitious enough.
Gender Justice
Critically Deficient
The NDC has significant gaps in addressing gender mainstreaming, potentially not adressing gender at all.
Youth Inclusion
Critically Deficient
The NDC has significant gaps in addressing youth inclusion, potentially not addressing young people at all.
Summary
Jamaica’s revised NDC demonstrated the continued commitment of the country to the Paris Agreement evidenced by the broadening of the NDC’s sectoral scope to include the land use change and forestry in addition to the energy sector, and the delivery of greater emission reductions in its energy sector. It aims to achieve an emission reductions across these two sectors (Energy and Land-Use Change and Forestry) of between 25.4% (unconditional) and 28.5% (conditional) relative to a business-as-usual scenario. The revised NDC also recognizes Jamaica’s positions as a small island developing state with “high physical risks of climate change that threaten its development and the wellbeing and economic security of its citizens”. As such, adaptation is an important cross-cutting element for all sectors in its NDC.
Jamaica’s NDC provides insight into its engagement efforts for designing the NDC, stating that “representatives from more than ten (10) Ministries, Departments and Agencies of government along with International Development Partners, private sector entities and civil society were engaged at all levels for a period of over twelve 12 months at different stages of the development of the NDC” however, it fails to provide details on gender and youth demographic break-down of participants and perspectives.
On gender mainstreaming, Jamaica’s NDC recognizes the importance of aligning NDC targets and actions with long-term gender equality goals outlined in the Jamaica Vision 2030 policy document and the Sustainable Development Goals. Though it acknowledges gender-responsiveness as a principle of engagement efforts and alignment with national policies, such as the Code of Consultations and the National Policy for Gender Equity, which are designed to increase inclusiveness and fairness in policy and development processes, it does not provide specific details on key vulnerabilities faced by women, their important role as change-makers, or efforts to increase their capacity to participate in climate-related decision-making.
On youth inclusion, the NDC does not mention youth inclusion processes, vulnerabilities, or roles as agents of change.
Highlights
- Indicates a public participation and engagement process with local communities and indigenous peoples in a gender-responsive manner was conducted.
- Increased its sectoral scope to include land use, land use change and forestry sector, in addition to the energy sector.
- Consideration for fairnes and inclusiveness, including reflecting on equity in its NDC planning process going forward, as priorities.
- Acknowledges connections between the SDGs and climate justice.
- Shows steps to move towards an economy-wide target.
Lowlights
- Lacks substantial references to intergenerational justice and equity as it relates to the engagement of youth and future generations.
- There are no identified categories that are published relating to age and gender which would have been useful to understand intergenerational differences and priorities, as well as evaluate the gender equality and climate justice..
Key Recommendations
This analysis found that Jamaica’s NDC planning process was inclusive of public participation and community members perspectives, including indigenous communities, and with consideration for gender inclusion. However, despite having a clear and inclusive processes for gender mainstreaming, it fails to recognise youth engagement in the planning and implementation processes
or outline key priorities for closing the gender inequality gap as it relates to climate change. The following recommendations were made to improve Jamaica’s NDC;
For Gender Justice
- Incorporate gender-disaggregated data on women's vulnerability to climate change with associated actions for strengthening their capacity to adapt to climate impacts.
- Increase women's participation in NDC development process and strengthen transparency in reporting on how women's inclusion co-generated specific actions in the NDC.
- Provide a clear framework and roadmap for implementation of gender and climate justice actions within the country.
For Youth Inclusion
- Recognize young peoples' rights to equal voice, by increasing opportunities to contribute to the development and planning of the country's climate agenda.
- Create a clear framework for engagement of youths and youth-led movments in the design and implementation of future NDCs and related national climate plans must be put in place and clearly stated.
- Organize capacity-building opportunities for young people to become strong contributors to climate change activities.
- Leverage existing young climate champions and youth-led initiatives in Jamaica to promote and enhance youth inclusion in the NDC planning and implementation.
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