Jamaica outlines water security, environmental protection and climate resilience agenda

Jamaica is moving to strengthen water supply, environmental protection and climate resilience through a multibillion-dollar programme outlined by Minister of Water, Environment and Climate Change Matthew Samuda in his recent sector debate presentation.

The Government plans to spend more than $15 billion in the 2026-2027 fiscal year to expand access to potable water islandwide. A central part of the agenda is improving the Water Resources Authority’s capacity to identify drought conditions early, track developing floods and respond faster.

Samuda said the WRA, working with the Meteorological Service of Jamaica, is introducing a long-range wide-area network, or LoRaWAN, over three years. Hundreds of sensors and gateways are expected to collect real-time information on groundwater, river flows and rainfall, including in remote off-grid communities.

The ministry is also targeting non-revenue water, which includes losses from leaks, illegal connections and operational inefficiencies. A national reduction programme valued at more than US$340 million is to be carried out over 11 years, with a target of cutting losses to 30 per cent by 2035. Projected annual returns include $7.7 billion in added revenue, $2.8 billion in electricity savings and $167 million in chemical savings.

Environmental measures include plans for a River Management Authority and a Cays Management Authority under the National Environment and Planning Agency. The river body would focus on risk mapping, early warning, sediment and debris management and enforcement against encroachment, while the cays body would coordinate protection of sensitive but economically important ecosystems.

Canal works are also planned for Negril to rewet wetlands and help stabilise the shoreline. Amendments to the Wildlife Protection Act are expected this fiscal year to support Jamaica’s obligations under the regional SPAW Protocol for coastal and marine biodiversity.

Following droughts from 2020 to 2023 and damage linked to Hurricane Beryl in July 2024 and Hurricane Melissa in October 2025, climate resilience remains a priority. Jamaica is expected to complete climate change legislation this fiscal year with support from the United Kingdom Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.

The ministry said the country’s LTS 2050 strategy, completed in July 2025, charts a route to net-zero emissions by or before 2050 and projects about $13.9 billion in net economic benefits and 26,000 jobs. The US$50-million Adapt Jamaica project, backed by US$40 million from the Green Climate Fund, is expected to benefit more than 700,000 Jamaicans, including farmers and rural communities.