Coffee Plantation at sunset, Blue Mountains, Saint Thomas Parish, Jamaica, West Indies, Caribbean, Central America

WELCOME TO JAMAICA
IN A GLOBALNET-ZERO, CLIMATE-RESILIENT
2050.

Resilient root and tuber crops. Natural protection from storms through restored reefs and mangrove swamps. And island-wide economic opportunities unlocked by new infrastructure and new models of tourism.

WHAT JAMAICA COULD 
BE LIKE IN 2050

ENERGY

Woman at beach, portrait
“I would like to see decentralisation of energy. There are still some areas where people don’t have proper access”
- Workshop Participant

EVIDENCE AND INSIGHTS:

The latest research suggests that 100% renewable power should be possible in Jamaica by 2055. Switching to more resilient or easily repairable types of energy infrastructure can also help minimise impacts on tourism and transport sectors by reducing the impact of storms.

IN 2050...

Jamaica generates almost all of its own power from wind, solar and even waste sugarcane. And local power storage systems give freedom and flexibility to rural communities.
Field with solar panels
"
Preserving natural environments is our only route to a healthy future
- Workshop Participant

LAND

EVIDENCE AND INSIGHTS:

Protecting Jamaica’s coastal and marine habitats – including reefs, mangroves and seagrass – could reduce erosion and storm damage, improve fish stocks and support tourism. And watershed forests can help reduce flood risk, preserve biological diversity and protect water supplies.

IN 2050...

Jamaica enjoys restored forests and a naturally fortified coastline, reducing the impact of storms and benefitting both the economy and citizens.

FOOD

Workers cutting sugarcane in field on sugarcane plantation, Jamaica.
“We should fund smaller subsistence farmers and their practices”
- Workshop Participant

EVIDENCE AND INSIGHTS:

Early harvest, rainwater harvest and ground-grown crops  may protect agriculture from extreme weather. Farming techniques to reduce heat stress could protect livestock.

IN 2050...

Jamaica is more food secure thanks to new techniques, technology and storm-resilient, ground-growing crops like yams. The country combines farming with forest and coastal management, such as planting profitable sea moss and new trees in pastures. This helps Jamaica capture carbon while boosting agricultural output.

Hear from our workshop participants

"I’d like to see a full-service circular economy where your waste can become an input factor for somebody else’s business.”
Bamboo trees growing in forest at night
"
I'D like to see my children enjoy Nature and work safely and haVE Healthy children themselves
- Workshop Participant

WATER

EVIDENCE AND INSIGHTS:

Protecting upland forests can secure water supplies, reduce flooding, protect biological diversity and store carbon.

IN 2050...

Jamaica conserves fresh water so it’s clean and accessible to all. The agricultural industry reuses rainwater stored in local cisterns, and reforested uplands store carbon and reduce flooding.

Hear from our workshop participants

“Global and local management of water needs to be more integrated in terms of the different agencies and stakeholders we approach.”
Honey bee and yellow Hibiscus flower

OTHER HOPES AND IDEAS

  • Storm-resilient and low-carbon construction materials like bamboo

  • Better digital connectivity in rural areas to open up opportunities and reduce transport emissions

  • Cool, comfortable and storm-proof cities filled with urban forests, tree-lined streets, and rainwater cisterns

  • Encouraging active travel by putting daily essentials a short walk away from every citizen

  • Green transport including electric car charging and a rebuilt national railway

Read the full Jamaica Profile

Download PDF

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

  • This is just a taste of what Jamaica could look like in a globally net-zero, climate-resilient future.

  • This is one of six regional visions, which together paint a picture of a feasible and desirable future.

  • Each country’s role in building this future will be different – and it can only be achieved through deep international cooperation.

Find out more about this project
"If we had a more climate resilient economy we could be less fearful, with a greater sense of wellbeing”
- Workshop participant