Residents of the Virgin Islands are invited to submit comments on the suitability of applicants for the Climate Change Trust Fund Board of Trustees.

Comments can be submitted from today, August 18 fora periodof 30 days,in keeping with the Virgin Islands Climate Change Trust Fund Act. The list of applicants is available at the Ministry of Natural Resources and Labour as well as online at www.bvi.gov.vg/climatechange.

At the close of the public comment period on September 16, board members will be selected and appointed by the Deputy Premier and Minister for Natural Resources and Labour, Dr. the Honourable Kedrick Pickering.  A total of 27 persons have applied for membership on the board through an open, public process that ran from February 11 to July 15.

Permanent Secretary forthe Ministry of Natural Resources and Labour, Mr. Ronald Smith-Berkeley commented on the outcome of the public application process.He said, “I am pleased with the number and calibre of persons who took up this noble challenge and have offered themselves to serve on this important Board. The success of the Trust Fund rests heavily on the ability and commitment of its Board and I wish to thank all those participating in the process.” 

Mr. Smith-Berkeley added thatpersons should submit their comments in a hardcopy letter addressed to the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Natural Resources and Labour. Comments may also be emailed to climatechangebvi@gov.vg.

The Virgin Islands Climate Change Trust Fund is an independent fund dedicated to raise monies to help the Territory adapt to the diverse impacts of climate change and

reduce harmful greenhouse gas emissions by increasing energy efficiency and integrating alternative energies. The Trust Fund will support actions by the private sector, civil society and Government.

Following its appointment, the Trust Fund Board will have executive control and management of the affairs of the Climate Change Trust Fund and make final decisions on all applications for funding. This initial board will be instrumental in guiding the operations and strategic direction of the Trust Fund. 

The Virgin Islands made history in March, 2015 when it became the first Caribbean island to pass legislation establishing a trust fund to focus on addressing climate change issues. The Virgin Islands Climate Change Trust Fund Act came into force on January 1, 2016 triggering a number of processes to operationalise the Trust, including establishment of its first Board.

The public application process was supported by a public awareness campaign that included mass media advertisements and appearances, presentations to sector groups and service organisations, public presentations and electronic outreach.  The Trust’s Board will be comprised of a total of ninepersons, including sixrepresentatives from the private sector and civil society from which applicants/nominees were sought.