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Renewable energy in Jamaica

  • The high cost of electricity in the Caribbean is pushing many to install alternative energy sources

    FRANCE, 2015/11/27 Negotiators from the 15-member Caribbean Community (CARICOM) are intent on striking a transaction to keep the world temperature rise at 1.5 degrees of pre-industrial levels, but a lot of fear that a 10-year-old agreement to buy cheap petroleum from Venezuela puts their discussions in jeopardy. Across the region, nations are rolling out their “1.5 to Remain Alive” Campaign to raise awareness about the effects of climate change, while building momentum for the region’s negotiating position ahead of the 21st Conference of the Parties (COP21) of the United Nations Conference on Climate Change (UNCCC) in France in December. Some say the petroleum agreement could cause friction between member nations because of new incentives inclunding assistance with healthcare and agriculture through a Caribbean Economic Development Zone. President of the Venezuelan Republic Nicolas Maduro pledged to maintain the PetroCaribe transaction, a legacy of his late predecessor Hugo Chavez alive, while celebrating its 10th anniversary in Jamaica on September 9.