PR – The Environment Division, Ministry of Climate Resilience, the Environment and Renewable Energy, in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), recently convened a one-day national workshop to review Grenada’s draft national biodiversity targets and to explore means of implementation including financing pathways for implementing the country’s commitments under the Convention on Biological Diversity. The workshop, held on 25 February 2026 at the Radisson Grenada Beach Resort, brought together representatives from government ministries, civil society, statutory bodies, the private sector, and community organizations from Carriacou in the north to St George’s. The workshop participants together reviewed and strengthened the draft national targets and considered sustainable financing options to support timely implementation.
The workshop is part of the GEF-funded Early Action Support (EAS) Project, implemented by UNDP under the Biodiversity Umbrella Programme for Grenada. The EAS project supports Grenada in setting national biodiversity targets, updating Grenada’s National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) and assessing policy and financing options necessary for effective implementation.
A central theme emerging from the workshop discussions was the importance of national ownership and multi-stakeholder collaboration in meeting the country’s biodiversity commitments. Participants emphasized that enacting and enforcing legislation as well as implementing conservation and awareness programs are key in achieving these targets and creating measurable progress by 2030.
Strengthening National Targets and Financing Frameworks
UNDP Multi-Country Coordinator for the Project, Dr. Jenna Blackwood, assured that UNDP will continue to support the Government of Grenada in revising the NBSAP, and creating a plan to generate sustainable financing for these efforts.
Environmental Specialist, Mrs. Aria St. Louis on behalf of the Permanent Secretary called for the day-long consultation to “ignite a flame for bold action” on national targets that will “conserve and regenerate irreplaceable natural and cultural heritage”.
Minister for Climate Resilience, the Environment and Renewable Energy, Hon. Kerryne James, reaffirmed Grenada’s unwavering commitment to the Convention while emphasizing the importance of developing targets that are sound, science-based, and scalable.
“What we are developing here is a national action framework, a governance instrument, a financing roadmap, and ultimately a tool for accountability. Its value will not be judged by how comprehensive it reads, but by how effectively it is implemented.”
Minister James also indicated that Grenada cannot afford policy inertia or any gap between planning and implementation in a “time of accelerating climate and ecological risks” and she applauded efforts to address means of implementation including sustainable biodiversity financing as part of the day’s discussions. Throughout the day, participants reviewed proposed national biodiversity targets, including ecosystem restoration, invasive species management, protected area expansion, and community participation. These discussions were complemented by a presentation on Grenada’s landscape for potential biodiversity financing, highlighting challenges in mobilizing domestic resources and recommendations for innovative financing solutions.
While the draft national targets represent a significant step toward translating the GBF into actionable national priorities, the workshop highlighted the need to address persistent capacity constraints, data gaps, and limitations in current financing flows to ensure long-term implementation success.
Non-government representative reporting back on group work done reviewing Grenada’s draft Biodiversity Targets
Next Steps
Feedback generated during the workshop will be incorporated into the finalization of Grenada’s draft national biodiversity targets and the ongoing assessment of sustainable biodiversity financing options. These outputs will contribute to the development of an updated NBSAP that is well aligned with Grenada’s Sustainable Development Plan (NSDP) 2035 and key national policy documents, as well as the vision of “living in harmony with nature” as set out by the Convention on Biological Diversity’s Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF). Deepest thanks are extended to the diligent participants who gave their time and talent and provided invaluable feedback to the consultants, UNDP and Ministry.
