KINGSTON, Jamaica – The JN Foundation has announced plans to host a two-day water summit aimed at promoting climate resilience.
JN Foundation general manager, Claudine Allen (second right), in conversation with Housing, Urban Renewal, Environment and Climate Changes Minister, Pearnel Charles at the media launch of the summitThe JN Foundation, which is the charitable arm of the JN Group, said that the May 13-14 event will educate the public on the devastating effects of climate change on small island developing states (SIDS) while proposing solutions to Jamaica’s ongoing severe water management and water supply issues.
“We’re leading the charge in addressing this important and topical issue that befalls small-island countries such as ourselves,” said JD Foundation chairman, Parris Lyew-Ayee of the upcoming “Climate Change, Sustainability and Innovation Water Summit”
He said many Jamaicans have noted and have personally experienced the problem of inconsistent water supply, especially in longer drought periods.
“We want our private citizens and local industries to, as a standard, utilize the available water adaptation technologies in their homes, businesses and within the construction sector to lessen the inevitable effects of climate change on the country.”
Speaking at the launch of the summit, Lyew-Ayee as the local population continues to grow, the demand for reliable water supply is increasing.
“This, coupled with extreme weather events such as storms and droughts happening more frequently, has had a serious and negative impact on our local communities. This is why it is important that our government implements an impactful, scalable model for greater water efficiency in Jamaica,” he added.
The JN Foundation said that in addition to hosting discussions and panels on the topic and showcasing the entrepreneurial efforts of local business that promote water efficiency, the summit will particularly address and seek to effect changes within the Jamaican housing sector by obtaining stern commitment from the Government of Jamaica to action water conservation strategies.
It said the summit will aggressively advocate for the outfitting of all future housing projects with water conservation fittings and systems, such as rainwater harvesting, grey water recycling, water efficient faucets, and shower heads and aerators, as a minimum standard.
It said this will especially include the 70,000 housing units that will be constructed through the National Housing Trust and the Housing Agency of Jamaica to achieve Goal 4 of Vision 2030 by year 2023.
The summit is the culmination of a series of activities that comprise The Water Project Jamaica, a four-year project executed by the JN Foundation in collaboration with the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) that focuses on the important role that householders and developers should play to improve efficient water use in the housing sector.
