Thematic Dialogue: Process and Mechanics of Establishing a National Climate Change Trust Fund and Future Opportunities for Caribbean SIDS
Summary
Utilizing the UNDP Guide, Blending Climate Finance through National Climate Funds: A Guidebook for the Design and Establishment of National Funds to Achieve Climate Change Priorities, and with support from Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre, The Virgin Islands Government undertook extensive stakeholder consultations that led to the development of The Virgin Islands Climate Change Trust Fund.
Objectives
A platform to discuss the process and mechanics of establishing The VICCTF as a model for other SIDS and Overseas Territories, and information sharing with experts, development partners, potential investors and other stakeholders;
An opportunity for SIDS and Overseas Territories to learn about the building blocks used to establish a functional national climate change financing mechanism, and from the lessons learned by The Virgin Islands;
A forum to exchange ideas on how The VICCTF can refine its approach/strategy to attract finance from non-intergovernmental sources.
Speakers
Moderators
Dr. Colin Young, Executive Director, Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre (CCCCC)
Mr. Simon Springett, UN Resident Coordinator (RC) for Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, United Nations Barbados and Eastern Caribbean Multi-Country Office (MCO)
Panellists
Panel 1- What are the key building blocks to establish a credible national climate change financing mechanism?
Mr. Edward Childs, Chairman of the Board, The Virgin Islands Climate Change Trust Fund (VICCTF)
Dr. Kedrick Pickering, Climate Envoy for the Premier and Former Minister of Natural Resources and Labour, The Virgin Islands
Panellists
Panel 2 – What are the key challenges facing national climate change financing mechanisms in the context of capitalisation, partnerships and capacity needs.
Racquel Moses, Caribbean Climate Smart Accelerator
Ahab Downer, Director of the Green Overseas Programme
Donneil Cain, Climate Change Programme Officer, Caribbean Development Bank (CDB)
Ambassador Diann Black-Layne, Director, Department of Environment, Government of Antigua and Barbuda – capacity building experience from the Sustainable Island Resources Framework (SIRF) Fund.
Chamberlain Emmanuel, Head of Environmental Sustainability Division, Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Commission – addressing challenges and opportunities for the VICCTF.
Dr. Colin Young
Dr. Colin A. Young, a Belizean national, is the Executive Director of the Caribbean Community Climate Change Center (CCCCC) headquartered in Belize since January 2020. Prior to his appointment at the CCCCC, Dr. Young served as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Social Security Board, a parastatal entity that administers Belize’s Social Security Fund, from 2017 to 2019 were he championed contribution reform, technology transformation and numerous legislative changes. Dr. Young also served as the CEO in the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, Fisheries, the Environment, Sustainable Development where he had overall responsibilities for all of the portfolios, including climate change, other than agriculture as well as the CEO in the Ministry of Energy, Science and Technology and Public Utilities from 2012-2015. Dr. Young has served on numerous boards including the Green Climate Fund, a financial mechanism under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. He holds both a Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy degree in ecology and evolutionary biology from the University of Connecticut in the United States.
Mr. Simon Springett
Mr. Simon Springett was appointed by the UN Secretary-General as UN Resident Coordinator (RC) for Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean on June 1, 2024. He brings his distinguished 30-year career in international development to this critical role. Most recently, Mr. Springett served as the UN Resident Coordinator in Moldova from 2019, leading the UN's efforts in that country.
Prior to his leadership role in Moldova, Mr. Springett served as Chief Operating Officer & Deputy Director for Response Operations at the UK Department for International Development / Palladium. His background includes serving as both UN Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative in Mauritius and Seychelles. He also held senior leadership positions with Oxfam, specializing in rapid humanitarian responses. Mr. Springett holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in geology from the College of Wooster (United States) and a Master of Science degree in development practice (humanitarian protection) from Oxford Brookes University (United Kingdom).
In addition to his development expertise, Mr. Springett also serves as the Designated Official (DO) for Security, ensuring the safety and security of all UN personnel and their dependents in the region.
Mr. Edward Childs
Edward joined Smiths Gore in 1990 having trained with Savills in London in commercial property as a Chartered Surveyor. Edward established the commercial department at Smiths Gore and was instrumental in expanding the firm’s presence in the Caribbean region. Edward is one of the few consultants in the Caribbean specializing in the sale of islands, a highly specialized area catering to HNW investors, and also provides asset management and development consultancy advice to a range of clients.
Edward’s interest in the marine environment resulted in him undertaking dive expeditions to Australia, the Caribbean, Africa, and the Far East before relocating to the BVI. His interest in the environment has led to appointments to the Board of Green VI, a local NFP, and he is also Chairman of the BVI Climate Change Trust Fund.
Dr. Kedrick Pickering
Dr. the Honourable Kedrick D. Pickering, an international best-selling author of, ‘Walk in Faith & Medicine’, was sworn in as Deputy Premier of the Government of the British Virgin Islands by His Excellency Governor Boyd McCleary on 9 November 2011 and held this position until March 2019. Dr. Pickering also held the position of Minister responsible for Natural Resources and Labour, as well as overseeing the development of the country’s airport.
Kedrick is a Fellow of the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology (FACOG) and continues to operate a private Obstetrics and Gynecology practice. Dr. Pickering also co-owns a multi-disciplinary medical center in the British Virgin Islands.
Kedrick’s political career began in 1999 when he was first elected to public office as an Opposition Member of the Legislative Council of the Virgin Islands. During his fourth term, he secured his district with an overwhelming 70% of the vote.
Deeply committed to community development, Dr. Pickering resides in the same community where he was born and raised. His involvement extends beyond politics and medicine—he has a history of being active in softball and basketball and has coached various local sports teams. Throughout his career, Kedrick has worked tirelessly to improve not only his community, but to make the world a better place as well.
Passionate about environmental sustainability, Dr. Pickering has led and contributed to numerous initiatives as a government minister. His leadership roles have included key involvement in the Caribbean Challenge Initiative, which fosters high-level political engagement to safeguard marine and coastal resources across the region. In 2013, under his guidance, the BVI served as Co-Chair in the European Union (EU)-Overseas Countries and Territories (OCT) Forum, and Climate Change Policy.
Most recently, Dr. Pickering released his book, Walk in Faith & Medicine, on 12 December 2024. Within 24 hours of its release, this deeply insightful book became a #1 Best Seller in seven countries (England, Wales, Ireland, Scotland, Canada, Australia, and the USA).
Married to his lovely wife Alice since 1993, Dr. Pickering is a proud father of four grown children and one grandchild. He continues to reside in his home community, honoring his heritage through contributions to medicine, governance, and environmental advocacy.
Racquel Moses
Racquel Moses is a dynamic leader with a track record of driving transformative growth and change worldwide. With an impressive portfolio of leadership roles, Racquel has consistently pushed boundaries and spearheaded impactful initiatives in various industries.
Currently serving as the CEO and a Director for the Caribbean Climate-Smart Accelerator, Racquel leads the charge in driving climate-smart solutions and sustainable development across the Caribbean region. Her visionary guidance and strategic leadership have positioned the organization at the forefront of climate action.
Her versatility enables her contributions, which span many disciplines, including currently serving as a Global Web3 Board member for Salesforce.com, and as a Trustee for the Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee. As a champion for global climate action, she actively advocates for change and promotes sustainability at a global level.
With a wealth of experience and expertise, Racquel has made significant contributions in previous leadership positions, including her roles as the Head of Microsoft Trinidad and Tobago, President of InvesTT, and Regional Vice President for Fujitsu. Her strategic vision and ability to drive innovation have propelled organizations to achieve remarkable success.
Racquel's passion for collaboration and coalition-building has played a pivotal role in shaping regional consensus on critical issues such as climate change, sustainability, and building resilience. Her ability to inspire minds and drive impactful change has made her an influential force in shaping the global agenda.
Ahab Downer
Ahab Downer is the Programme Director of the EU-funded Green Overseas Programme, supporting 25 EU and UK Overseas Countries and Territories in accelerating climate resilience, energy transition, and sustainable development pathways. With more than 30 years of experience in environmental governance, sustainable finance, and biodiversity conservation, he has led strategic programmes bridging public policy, local action, and research-based planning. His work is rooted in solutions designed with and for island communities, ensuring that resilience efforts strengthen both ecosystems and long-term socio-economic autonomy. He currently coordinates partnerships among governments, utilities, regional institutions, and community actors to operationalize climate strategies tailored to island contexts. Ahab is recognized for his collaborative leadership and his capacity to align diverse partners behind shared territorial priorities.
Donneil Cain
Mr. Donneil Cain is Coordinator, Climate Change, in the Environmental Sustainability Division, at the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB). Mr. Cain is an Economist who holds a Doctorate of Philosophy in Economics from the University of Nottingham in the United Kingdom, a Master of Science degree in Economics and a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics and Statistics from the University of The West Indies, Mona Campus. Donneil has a strong background in project development, economic research, financial and economic analysis, and climate finance. Donneil is focussed on helping Caribbean countries identify and develop bankable projects and programmes that build climate resilience and mitigate climate change impacts.
Chamberlain Emmanuel
Chamberlain Emmanuel is Director of the Environmental Sustainability Division (ESD)
at the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Commission and a member of the Commission’s Leadership Team.
Chamberlain leads a portfolio of integrated programmes and teams in designing, promoting and supporting more sustainable – Green | Blue | Circular | Low-carbon |Resilient - approaches to socio-economic development in the OECS SIDS.
Chamberlain has 24 years of experience in strategic leadership, international partnerships, programme management and project delivery in the context of Eastern Caribbean Small Island Developing States (SIDS) Chamberlain remains “connected” through community and values-oriented initiatives
and social enterprise.
Ambassador Diann Black-Layne
Department of Environment/Sustainable Island Resources Framework (SIRF) Fund (Antigua & Barbuda)