4. Summary of Readiness

To support transition to an SBE, the RRA process identifies the level to which each of the enabling conditions of the UNEP SBE-TF is established in Antigua and Barbuda, including key challenges and the opportunities that exist for the transition.

The degree to which Antigua and Barbuda has established the enabling conditions outlined in section 3 is presented below using a scale (Figure 4.1) which ranges from the lowest (no demonstration of progress and not actively pursuing improvement) to the highest (enabling condition is well established, or significant progress and defined plan are evident). An overview of the UNEP SBE-TF and associated actions for which these critical enablers need to be in place to transition to a SBE is in Appendix 6.

Figure 4.1
Scale against which the readiness of each of the enabling factors to transition to an SBE is assessed for Antigua and Barbuda

Five on a five-point scale
Enabling condition well established, or significant progress and defined plan evident
Four on a five-point scale
Demonstration of moderate progress, with activities underway and some plans for improvement
Three on a five-point scale
Some demonstration of progress or activities for improvement but in an unco-ordinated way
Two on a five-point scale
Limited demonstration of progress, little or no plan for improvement evident
One on a five-point scale
No demonstration of progress and not actively pursuing improvement

The 'scorecards' below assess the extent to which each of the seven enabling conditions of the UNEP SBE-TF are established in Antigua and Barbuda, including key challenges and opportunities.

Leadership

Three on a five-point scale
Some demonstration of progress or activities for improvement but in an unco-ordinated way.
 

There is some high-level support for a SBE transition within GoAB, but this needs to be formalised with a mandate for delivery, and

the development of an advocacy engagement strategy to establish cross-government support.

Opportunities

  • The foundations for leadership are in place that, if clarified and championed, could steer the transition to an SBE.
  • Formalising a mandate for the DoBE for delivering an SBE transition would send a strong message of commitment and leadership that would help to generate support and engagement from other government departments.
  • Potential for Antigua and Barbuda to develop as a regional leader in the SBE transition.

 Institutional infrastructure and culture

Three on a five-point scale
Some demonstration of progress or activities for improvement but in an unco-ordinated way.
 

There are the foundations for cross-governmental coordination and cooperation, but a lack of clear roles, responsibilities and mandates generates uncertainty and constrains progress.

Opportunities

  • To build on existing communication and collaboration mechanisms including the activities of the NOGC.
  • Empower the DoBE with a clear mandate, and clarify both its remit in relation to the NOGC and how they could work together to deliver the SBE.
  • Share knowledge and technical skills across departments.

 Laws and policies

Three on a five-point scale
Some demonstration of progress or activities for improvement but in an unco-ordinated way.
 

Policy and legislation at present is fragmented with insufficient implementation and enforcement. There is no adopted national framework to sustainably manage ocean and marine resources.

Opportunities

  • The draft NOP, if adopted and implemented, could act as national framework to sustainably manage ocean resources, and through OECS would generate regional technical and financial support.
  • The cabinet-endorsed MEP has potential to act as the action plan or strategy to accompany the NOP, including the development of MSP.
  • New legal frameworks, including for seabed mining, are needed to manage emerging sectors effectively.

Planning and management 

Four on a five-point scale
Demonstration of moderate progress, with activities underway and some plans for improvement.
 

While there is not an integrated ocean management framework, the foundations exist, including in Barbuda where there are already spatial planning regulations.

Opportunities

  • The MEP provides a starting structure for MSP and integrated management to take place.
  • The DoBE is well positioned to drive forward MSP efforts with the support of the cross-governmental NOGC.
  • Lessons can be learned from Barbuda’s MSP experiences.

Sustainable finance 

Two on a five-point scale
Limited demonstration of progress, little or no plan for improvement evident.
 

Existing financial opportunities and traditional methods of funding are insufficient to maintain what currently exists and would require significant growth to enable a transition to a SBE.

Opportunities

  • Specific budget allocation to the blue economy demonstrates the priority to finance an SBE transition and can encourage external funding.
  • The inherent synergies between the SBE and climate resilience opens up opportunities for climate associated financing if the SBE transition is integrated with climate activity as set out in the upcoming NAP development in 2023.
  • Innovative financing instruments can be employed, given the relatively new emergence of the BE in the financial agenda.

Stakeholder engagement 

Two on a five-point scale
Limited demonstration of progress, little or no plan for improvement evident.
 

Stakeholder engagement is challenged by lingering conflicts, inadequate private sector engagement, inconsistent inclusion, consultation fatigue and a perceived lack of delivery or action.

Opportunities

  • Some ‘bottom-up’ approaches can be used as lessons on effective engagement and coalitions, particularly from the Barbuda experience.
  • The appetite to improve stakeholder engagement is evident, and a harmonised SBE approach would give stakeholders something around which they can coalesce.

Data and monitoring 

Three on a five-point scale
Some demonstration of progress or activities for improvement but in an unco-ordinated way.
 

Data exists, but access across departments is limited, and there is no centralised data repository or harmonised data gathering/monitoring approach. Efforts by the DoE for collecting social, economic and environmental data are planned, but these are limited to the climate agenda and will need expanding to encompass the wider SBE.

Opportunities

  • Harmonising and collating existing data would save resources and time in collecting new data.
  • Opportunity to create a MRV system to compile multiple data sources, using the one being developed by the DoE as a basis on which to build.
  • MoU with the UWI Centre of Excellence for Oceanography and the Blue Economy presents a unique opportunity to provide evidence to a central repository given its technical capacity.

 

Downloads

Download Link
Download PDF version