A Just Transition Framework for CARICOM Trade

This policy brief proposes a trade-aware Just Transition framework for the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) to manage the shift toward low-carbon, climate-resilient development. It argues that for the Caribbean, the transition is a structural regional transformation rather than a sector-specific phase-out of fossil fuels. The document outlines six guiding principles—social justice, effective governance, inclusive participation, economic resilience, alignment with climate goals, and green financing—and applies them to both at-risk sectors (energy, tourism, agriculture, forestry, transport) and growth sectors (blue economy, circular economy, orange economy).

• For CARICOM, the Just Transition is a structural regional transformation rather than a sector-specific shift, as the region faces acute climate vulnerability, high reliance on imported fossil fuels, and deep exposure to global trade rules despite minimal contributions to global emissions.
• The proposed Just Transition framework for CARICOM is built upon six guiding principles: Social Justice & Equity, Effective Governance & Policy Coherence, Inclusive Participation & Stakeholder Engagement, Economic Resilience & Diversification, Alignment with Developmental, Climate, and Environmental Goals, and Investment & Financing for the Green Transition.
• The energy sector is primarily at risk due to heavy fossil fuel dependency; nine CARICOM member states rely on fuel imports for over 80% of electricity, with five importing up to 90%, which absorbs up to 8% of GDP.
• Tourism is a critical but vulnerable sector, contributing up to 83% of GDP in countries like Antigua and Barbuda. It faces risks from climate change and shifting global preferences, as 83% of global travellers now consider sustainable travel essential.
• The transport sector is structurally inefficient and carbon-intensive, with logistics costs absorbing 16–26% of GDP, significantly higher than the OECD average of 9%.
• The 'Blue Economy' (fisheries and marine industries) and 'Orange Economy' (creative and cultural industries) are identified as primary alternative growth pathways. The ocean economy generated U$407 billion in 2012, while the global market for cultural and creative goods reached $524 billion by 2020.
• The waste sector is a high-potential alternative pathway; SIDS generate 2.3 kilogrammes of municipal solid waste per day, which is 48% higher than the global average, with 13 million tonnes of solid waste produced annually in the Caribbean.
• Current Just Transition efforts in CARICOM are fragmented and often donor-driven. While Jamaica and Belize have published long-term strategies (LTS/LEDS), there is no regional CARICOM-level coordination mechanism to align trade, climate, and labour policies.
• The document recommends seven priority policy actions, including the institutionalization of national Just Transition Planning Commissions, the creation of a CARICOM-level coordination mechanism, and the mobilization of scaled financing through green bonds and debt-for-climate swaps.

APA

Wilson, P.-G. F. (2026). A Just Transition Framework for CARICOM Trade. Forum on Trade, Environment, & the SDGs. https://lyrical-cormorant.files.svdcdn.com/production/assets/images/Publications/TESS-SRC-Policy-Brief-A-Just-Transition-Framework-for-CARICOM-Trade.pdf?dm=1769598739

Chicago

Wilson, Peta-Gay Facey. A Just Transition Framework for CARICOM Trade. Forum on Trade, Environment, & the SDGs, 2026. https://lyrical-cormorant.files.svdcdn.com/production/assets/images/Publications/TESS-SRC-Policy-Brief-A-Just-Transition-Framework-for-CARICOM-Trade.pdf?dm=1769598739.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Wilson |first1=Peta-Gay Facey |title=A Just Transition Framework for CARICOM Trade |publisher=Forum on Trade, Environment, & the SDGs |date=January 2026 |url=https://lyrical-cormorant.files.svdcdn.com/production/assets/images/Publications/TESS-SRC-Policy-Brief-A-Just-Transition-Framework-for-CARICOM-Trade.pdf?dm=1769598739 |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{wilson2026just, author = {Wilson, Peta-Gay Facey}, title = {{A Just Transition Framework for CARICOM Trade}}, institution = {Forum on Trade, Environment, \& the SDGs}, year = {2026}, month = jan, url = {https://lyrical-cormorant.files.svdcdn.com/production/assets/images/Publications/TESS-SRC-Policy-Brief-A-Just-Transition-Framework-for-CARICOM-Trade.pdf?dm=1769598739}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }