Summary

As the most industrialised nation in the Caribbean, this analysis finds that Trinidad and Tobago must increase its efforts on emissions reductions, inclusivity, and adaptation to set an example for neighboring countries. Trinidad and Tobago’s economy is heavily reliant on oil and gas and is ranked in the top five countries for carbon emissions by GDP; however, their emissions reductions goals stand at just 15% by 2030 from business-as-usual (BAU) identified at 2013 levels across the power generation, transportation, and industry sectors. Though Trinidad and Tobago ranks much lower in absolute carbon emissions as a Small Island Developing State, they have an opportunity to showcase how islands can be leaders on tackling the climate crisis by raising its ambition.

Though considered a more developed country due to higher literacy and GDP rates, issues surrounding criminal activity, corruption, and poor legislative implementation and enforcement have led to violence against women and poor protection of vulnerable groups, indicating a lack of values that supports positive action to strengthen social and environmental sectors of society. On gender justice, a 2019 analysis with support from the NDC Programme found that a gender-responsive lens was not used in designing, implementing, or taking into any consideration at all in the NDC. Though a Gender Affairs Division exists, gender mainstreaming in the design and budgeting processes, inclusion of non-governmental organizations that represent women and girls in the climate change space, and mechanisms for monitoring the impact of climate change on women and girls were not included in the NDC development process. Considering that financial support for the division is largely non-existent, it’s clear the government was not set-up to prioritize gender justice.

On youth inclusion, there are zero references to intergenerational justice, inclusion of young people in the design or implementation processes, or proposals on how to integrate youth perspectives and leadership in implementing climate solutions. Although there was zero participation of civil society or any other groups in the preparation of the first NDC between 2016 and 2018, since then, there have been some efforts by the government to create multi-level committees to bring inclusion and representation.