CASTRIES, St Lucia – In the Eastern Caribbean, tourism is the heartbeat of the economies of many islands. It creates livelihood for countless families and connects our vibrant island cultures to the world. From fishermen supplying local restaurants to artisans crafting souvenirs, from guesthouse owners to taxi drivers, tourism touches nearly every life in the OECS. Recognising this reality, the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) launched a Climate Action Plan (CAP) for the Tourism Sector, a transformative roadmap to secure livelihoods, protect ecosystems, and build resilience against the growing threats of climate change.
The launch took place at the Hilton Barbados, on the eve of the Caribbean Tourism Organisation’s State of the Tourism Industry Conference (SOTIC) and in observance of World Tourism Day 2025, under the theme “Tourism and Sustainable Transformation.”
Funded by the European Union through the BioSPACE Project, which seeks to conserve marine and coastal biodiversity, the Climate Action Plan is the result of a joint initiative between the OECS Environmental Sustainability Division and the OECS Tourism Desk, working with member states, ministries of Tourism and Environment, and partners to ensure the Plan reflects regional priorities and community voices.
The OECS Climate Action Plan is built on five strategic objectives:
- Strengthen climate risk assessment and disaster resilience;
- Enhance protection and restoration of biodiversity, marine ecosystems, and nature-based tourism assets;
- Improve emissions measurement and reporting, enabling decarbonisation;
- Accelerate decarbonisation and advance circular economy practices in tourism; and
- Mobilise climate-smart finance and investment.
These are supported by concrete actions grouped under three enablers: capacity building, stakeholder engagement, and policy reform, all designed to translate vision into implementation.
Dr Didacus Jules, director general of the OECS Commission, hailed the Plan as a milestone for the region:
“This launch is more than ceremonial. It is a milestone in our journey to ensure that the very lifeblood of our economies—tourism—not only becomes more resilient but also emerges as a leader in the global movement toward sustainability and regeneration. The same assets that attract millions of visitors to our shores—our beaches, reefs, forests, and vibrant communities—are the assets most vulnerable to the climate emergency. The OECS could not remain passive in the face of this reality. This Climate Action Plan is our strategic and timely response.”
Her Excellency Fiona Ramsey, the European Union’s Ambassador to Barbados, the Eastern Caribbean States, the OECS, and CARICOM/CARIFORUM, underscored the pressing challenges facing the tourism industry and the importance of the CAP.
“The tourism industry is both widely affected and contributing to climate change, and to natural resources scarcity. Neither the Caribbean nor Europe can avoid innovating to transition to a more resilient and inclusive tourism model.”
The development of the Plan was supported by the Travel Foundation. Delivering remarks virtually, Jeremy Sampson, CEO of the Travel Foundation, described the Plan as a turning point for the region:
“This Climate Action Plan is truly a milestone, the first of its kind in the region, and a much-needed step forward. Tourism is central to the Eastern Caribbean, sustaining livelihoods and communities, yet it is also highly exposed to climate shocks. This Plan reimagines tourism as a mechanism for resilience, for innovation, and for leadership.”
He praised the inclusive process that shaped the Plan, stating:
“The strength of this initiative lies in the way it was created, grounded in evidence, informed by community voices, co-owned across ministries, and aligned with both regional strategies and global climate goals. This is exactly the kind of systemic change we need.”
The CAP lays out four immediate next steps, namely, designating national climate and tourism focal points; establishing a regional CAP working group; mapping finance and partnership opportunities; and conducting a regional tourism climate baseline assessment. Regular reviews every three years will ensure that the Plan evolves alongside the region’s climate realities and global best practices.
The OECS Commission reaffirmed its commitment to working closely with the Caribbean Tourism Organisation, CARICOM, development partners such as the EU, and NGOs like the Travel Foundation to drive the Plan forward.
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