5 ladies, who’ve made excellent contributions to power and local weather resilience within the Caribbean, obtained Caribbean Growth Financial institution (CDB) sponsored, CARICOM Girls in Sustainable Vitality (W.I.S.E) Awards on the sixteenth Caribbean Renewable Vitality Discussion board (CREF) held just lately, in Miami, Florida.
Chosen from a pool of 12 nominees, the winners included Ms. Purdy Gouveia, Mission Supervisor on the Caribbean Utilities Firm, Cayman Islands, who obtained the award for Utilities and Trade, and the Hon. Kerryne James, Minister of Local weather Resilience, The Surroundings and Renewable Vitality, Grenada, who was recognised as a Youth Chief.
Dr. Ruth Potopsingh, Affiliate Vice President of Sustainable Vitality, College of Know-how Jamaica, obtained the nod for Coverage and Rules whereas Ms. Angella Rainford, CEO/ Founder Soléco Vitality Jamaica was cited for her contribution to Enterprise, Entrepreneurship, and Finance. Rounding out the winners’ circle was Ms. Rachel Sedacy Marketer and Enterprise Guide, Fifth Aspect Consulting/LAIT Up Belize, who was lauded for Social Affect, Group and Advocacy.
As well as, Dr. Indra Haraksingh, Lecturer at The College of the West Indies, St. Augustine in Trinidad and Tobago, obtained a CARICOM W.I.S.E Lifetime Achievement Award.
In commenting on the importance of CARICOM W.I.S.E, CDB Appearing President, Mr. Isaac Solomon, defined that the Financial institution supported the awards scheme due to the significance of selling gender equality to encourage ladies to pursue careers within the Vitality sector which stays some of the imbalanced when it comes to feminine illustration.
“Feminine-headed households and companies owned by ladies might face monetary constraints in investing in power and renewable power applied sciences and on this regard, CDB continues to combine gender equality consideration to deal with the inequitable entry by ladies within the sector. CDB’s funding help is in line with the Financial institution’s coverage and technique for the promotion of gender equality in all sectors,” Mr. Solomon mentioned.
Additionally, in his contribution to a Management Panel at CREF 2024, Mr. Solomon reaffirmed CDB’s dedication to advancing sustainable power within the Caribbean. Since 2015, the Financial institution has accepted roughly USD 275 million for over 65 sustainable power initiatives, representing 10% of its whole funding. CDB financed streetlight retrofitting initiatives in six Caribbean international locations together with Jamaica, the place 25,000 LED streetlights had been put in, which was the world’s largest set up on the time.
The Financial institution has additionally carried out a GeoSmart Initiative to help Japanese Caribbean nations in utilising geothermal power from their volcanic landscapes. Over 750 people have obtained coaching from the CDB in collaboration with the European Union, the UK’s Overseas, Commonwealth and Growth Workplace, and the Organisation of Japanese Caribbean States Fee. The Financial institution additionally collaborated with different organisations to conduct the Caribbean’s largest coaching programme for technicians and inspectors in photo voltaic PV system set up and inspection. Greater than 260 folks obtained certifications, enabling them to contribute to power initiatives and change into entrepreneurs.
