Scaling up the Deployment of Integrated Utility Services (IUS) to Support Energy Sector Transformation in the Caribbean (Phase 1) Programme Barbados, Belize, Jamaica

The assessment examines the adoption of solar water heaters, rooftop solar PV, efficient cooling/HVAC, and LED lighting across three Caribbean nations. It finds that while there is demand for these technologies, significant economic, institutional, and social barriers—particularly gender-blind policies and limited access to finance—hinder a 'Just Transition'. The report recommends capacity building for government stakeholders, gender-sensitive financial tools, and inclusive engagement strategies to ensure vulnerable populations benefit from the energy transition.

• Energy policies in Barbados, Belize, and Jamaica are largely gender-blind or only 'gender aware', with few directly relevant energy sector policies addressing gender equality or the specific needs of women.
• Economic barriers, including high upfront costs and strict bank loan requirements, disproportionately affect low-income women and female-headed households, limiting their ability to adopt IUS technologies.
• Gender stereotypes and traditional divisions of labour result in women being underrepresented in technical roles within the energy sector, which limits their employment opportunities during the energy transition.
• In Belize, indigenous populations (Maya and Garifuna) face the highest poverty rates and significant geographic isolation, creating unique barriers to accessing modern energy solutions.
• There is a critical lack of gender mainstreaming capacity among government stakeholders and executing utilities, often relying on external consultants rather than internal institutional frameworks.
• The quality and ownership of housing act as physical and legal barriers to the installation of rooftop solar and solar water heaters, particularly for renters and those in rudimentary housing.
• Improved LED street lighting is identified as a key tool for increasing the safety and security of women and girls in public spaces, potentially reducing gender-based violence and enabling longer business hours for informal workers.
• Efficient cooling technologies provide specific health and productivity benefits for women, particularly those experiencing menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes and night sweats.

APA

Green Climate Fund (2025). Scaling up the Deployment of Integrated Utility Services (IUS) to Support Energy Sector Transformation in the Caribbean (Phase 1) Programme Barbados, Belize, Jamaica. https://www.greenclimate.fund/sites/default/files/document/fp275-gender-assessment.pdf

Chicago

Green Climate Fund. Scaling up the Deployment of Integrated Utility Services (IUS) to Support Energy Sector Transformation in the Caribbean (Phase 1) Programme Barbados, Belize, Jamaica. 2025. https://www.greenclimate.fund/sites/default/files/document/fp275-gender-assessment.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Green Climate Fund |title=Scaling up the Deployment of Integrated Utility Services (IUS) to Support Energy Sector Transformation in the Caribbean (Phase 1) Programme Barbados, Belize, Jamaica |date=3 July 2025 |url=https://www.greenclimate.fund/sites/default/files/document/fp275-gender-assessment.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{greenclimatefund2025scaling, author = {{Green Climate Fund}}, title = {{Scaling up the Deployment of Integrated Utility Services (IUS) to Support Energy Sector Transformation in the Caribbean (Phase 1) Programme Barbados, Belize, Jamaica}}, institution = {Green Climate Fund}, year = {2025}, month = jul, url = {https://www.greenclimate.fund/sites/default/files/document/fp275-gender-assessment.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }