Hon. Dr. Joyelle Clarke Minister of Environment, Climate Action and Constituency Empowerment
Minister's Message
St. Kitts and Nevis joins the world to re-emphasize and re-evaluate our strategic direction on the environment and climate change. One resonating takeaway is that climate change and its devastating effects on our lives and livelihoods are real. Biodiversity, pollution, and water shortages add to the planetary crises threatening our collective future. It is more urgent than ever. This reality check was translated into the establishment of the Ministry of Environment, Climate Action, and Constituency Empowerment in August 2022. The “NOW” is a priority for St. Kitts and Nevis underpinned by a clear path forward, the first sustainable island state.
Across Government, our purpose bridges the work of all Ministries and statutory bodies to adapt and transform resilient livelihoods for the future. I am here to lead and implement transparent, robust, actionable pathways to realize this goal.
With a firm commitment and an imaginative trajectory for St. Kitts and Nevis as a sustainable island state, I present the strategic priorities of my Ministry.
Budget 2025 takes some critical steps to mobilize human capital and efficiently improve the operational organization to strengthen coordination. Strong coordination is our central tenet. We must bring together the different parts so that they can move as one. This requires collaborations, building robust partnerships, and tapping into financial and technical resources wherever possible. Equally important is the Ministry’s intention to set the tone and culture for the whole Government to participate and contribute to the Sustainable Island State (SIS) Agenda. We will champion the integration of five cross-cutting pillars: water, food, energy, sustainable industries, and technology. Our strategic priorities align with the harsh realities of Small Island Developing States (SIDS). They are classified under three areas:
- Strengthening the Legal Framework: Ensuring the necessary consultations, reviews, and analyses of current and new legislation
- Resilience: Identifying and adapting mitigative measures to the existential threats affecting climate, economy, and resources
- Participation: Presence to discuss, learn and act for better environmental stewardship in everyday life
These critical drivers will help us tailor policy responses and strategic tools to address the escalating costs of fossil fuels, the vicious cycle of climate hazards, scarcity of food and water, income loss, higher cost of living, and the disruption of family life. The glaring fragility of our humanity is magnified because of continuous environmental degradation and climate change. Our responses must be fit for purpose, prudent, and responsible.
Participation is a critical driver. Our peoples’ voices must be heard at all levels – the cleaner, teacher, police, children, technical adviser, and minister. Constituency Empowerment will therefore be the vehicle to connect people to environmental management issues, climate resilience, climate justice, and sustainable practices. It will offer diverse modalities and frameworks to channel public awareness and people-centered activities. The aim is to transform the scope of Constituency Empowerment beyond the perception of mere “politically motivated” programs to sustainable active lifestyles.
Looking forward, the Ministry expects to establish a robust enabling legal framework and partnerships. The Climate and Ocean Risk Vulnerability Index (CORVI) will serve as a strategic tool to assist the Ministry of Environment, Climate Action and Constituency Empowerment to guide climate sensitive considerations in the transformation process. Our efforts to dispose of solid waste, reduce plastic use, and recycle point to the development of a circular economy. Great potential exists in this area, and it will be explored.
The Royal Basseterre National Park remains a bright spot that will shine as a vehicle of change is 21-1 our development strategy for sustainable active lifestyles. The development of this National Park will be a green space for healthy living. It is envisioned as an integrated and multisectoral development that strengthens environmental stewardship and encourages healthier lifestyles. To achieve this, a combination of enabling, cross-cutting sectoral policies will stimulate innovation to make the Royal Basseterre Valley a space for sustainable industries.
Aware of the slow but positive global growth outlook and heightened war tensions, an integrated framework for strengthening governance and operational capacity will drive this Ministry’s mandate. I remain committed and optimistic. Let us focus on our strengths, expertise, energies, and resources. The Ministry will continue to work alongside our statutory boards to realize its vision through vibrant partnerships.
I wish to thank all the employees of the Ministry for their hard work and dedication and to welcome the newly assigned employees. I look forward to working alongside you as we deliver on the Ministry’s and Government’s goal to become a sustainable island state.