Premier Reuben Meade spoke about the virtues of renewable energy on a panel session at the 29th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP29) in Azerbaijan this week.
The premier is in the city of Baku with a small team from Montserrat to participate in a week of discussions focused on global initiatives aimed at mitigating climate change.
On 12 November, Meade attended his first panel with energy officer Oswen Carty, titled, ‘Empowering the energy transition: Caribbean islands leading the shift from fossil fuels to renewables’ .
He was invited to participate along with other regional and global specialists, a government press release said on 13 November.
The discussion focused on the economic impacts of fossil fuel reliance, the potential of renewable energy – including solar, wind, geothermal and biomass – and regional opportunities and barriers.
Meade spoke of Montserrat’s similar as well as its unique challenges in the area of climate change adaptation, the press release said.
He underscored this by providing examples of Montserrat’s historical progress, current challenges and potential opportunities in Montserrat for production of renewable energy.
The premier stressed the importance of renewable energy in the long-term development of Montserrat and the region, and echoed a call for targeted climate financing.
Meade will continue to represent Montserrat at COP29 until 16 November, and will learn about the various funding opportunities available to the island.
He will then head to London for the Joint Ministerial Conference from 18 to 21 November.
