Sustained Public Education and Participation
Challenges and Opportunities
Grenada, like many Small Island Developing States (SIDS), faces significant challenges in fostering sustained public education and participation related to climate change. Key challenges include limited resources, the vulnerability of the population to natural disasters, and the need for widespread awareness to catalyse collective action. Many communities lack access to sufficient information and tools to understand the impacts of climate change on their daily lives, leading to a gap in climate action.
However, there are several opportunities to leverage public education and participation as central pillars of Grenada’s climate resilience strategy. Public education campaigns can empower communities to adopt climate-friendly practices and prepare for the increased frequency of climate-related disasters. Additionally, sustained public participation can foster a sense of ownership and responsibility toward local environmental issues, ultimately contributing to a culture of resilience. As Grenada invests in climate adaptation, increasing access to information and education can drive grassroots solutions, bringing together the public and private sectors.
Key opportunities lie in digital platforms, local school systems, and community-driven programs. Integrating climate education into formal curricula can empower youth, while utilizing media platforms for ongoing climate messaging helps to reach a wider audience. Building partnerships with local NGOs and community leaders also enhances the grassroots reach of education efforts.
Sector's Governance
The Ministry of Climate Resilience, the Environment and Renewable Energy is the lead agency responsible for public education and participation on climate issues in Grenada. The ministry collaborates with other government bodies, such as the Ministry of Education and Ministry of Social Development, to ensure climate change information is integrated across sectors and reaches various demographics.
The National Disaster Management Agency (NADMA) has made substantial efforts over the past decade to improve its communication about disaster preparedness as well as public warning systems: for flooding, tropical storms, hurricanes, and heatwaves.
A collaborative approach between government agencies and civil society organizations is key to achieving successful governance in this area. Local NGOs, such as the Grenada Community Development Agency (GRENCODA) and Caribbean Youth Environment Network (CYEN), 195 in 365 to name a few, play important roles in raising public awareness about climate change. By implementing projects that engage communities in disaster preparedness and sustainable development, these organizations complement government efforts to ensure the public is informed and engaged in climate resilience.
The National Climate Change Committee (NCCC) also plays a pivotal role in coordinating efforts between government agencies, the private sector, and civil society. This body ensures that public education and participation initiatives align with Grenada’s National Adaptation Plan (NAP) and broader climate resilience goals. The NAP Global Network provides ongoing support to the Ministry of Climate Resilience, the Environment and Renewable Energy to implement public education and stakeholder’s consultations, notably around the 2024 NAP update.
Policy Framework
Grenada’s climate resilience policies recognize the importance of sustained public education and participation. The country’s National Adaptation Plan (NAP) explicitly integrates public engagement as a cross-cutting theme, with specific measures aimed at raising awareness, promoting climate-friendly practices, and enhancing disaster preparedness.
The Climate Smart Agriculture Plan, Disaster Risk Reduction Strategy, and Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) also emphasize the role of public education in achieving Grenada’s climate goals. These policies call for community-based adaptation measures, public awareness campaigns, and capacity-building programs. The NDCs further outline Grenada’s commitment to educating the public on climate mitigation strategies, including reducing greenhouse gas emissions, protecting marine and terrestrial ecosystems, and promoting sustainable agriculture.
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 13 (Climate Action) and SDG 4 (Quality Education), also underpin the policy framework for sustained public education and participation in Grenada’s climate change initiatives.
Regional and International Agreements
Grenada is a signatory to several regional and international agreements that emphasize the importance of public education and participation in climate resilience efforts. The country’s participation in the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the Paris Agreement highlights its commitment to integrating public engagement into its climate strategies. The Paris Agreement calls for climate education and public awareness as part of its efforts to foster global climate action.
Regionally, Grenada is involved in the Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre (CCCCC), which supports member states in building public awareness and capacity for climate change adaptation. The CCCCC works with Grenada to design and implement climate awareness campaigns and community-based resilience initiatives, ensuring public participation is central to climate adaptation efforts.
Grenada’s collaboration with the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), particularly through the Eastern Caribbean Regional Climate Change Implementation Plan, also facilitates regional knowledge sharing and capacity building. This partnership enables Grenada to access resources and expertise for public education programs, enhancing its ability to engage the population in climate change mitigation and adaptation efforts.
Sustained Public Education and Participation in Grenada
Grenada has made significant strides in promoting sustained public education and participation in the context of climate change. Various government-led initiatives, NGO efforts, and community programs have raised awareness about climate-related risks and encouraged action at the grassroots level. Between 2014-2019, the Integrated climate change adaptation strategies (ICCAS) project brought the topic of climate change to the forefront of Grenada’s policies and raised public awareness on the subject. Many programs followed and built on this initial public education effort.
Public education programs in schools have integrated climate change into curricula, ensuring that young Grenadians are aware of environmental issues from an early age. In particular, the Ministry of Education has worked closely with international partners to incorporate climate change into subjects such as geography, science, and social studies. This effort is crucial, as educating the next generation on climate issues will help foster a more resilient population.
Additionally, NGOs and local community organizations have played a critical role in engaging the public on climate-related issues. Projects such as coastal clean-up campaigns, tree-planting drives, and disaster preparedness workshops have involved communities in practical climate resilience efforts. These activities help to raise awareness while also empowering individuals to take direct action in protecting their environments.
Grenada has also successfully leveraged media platforms, including television, radio, and social media, to disseminate information about climate change. Public awareness campaigns focus on disaster preparedness, water conservation, and climate-smart agriculture, reaching a broad audience and encouraging sustainable practices.
Despite these efforts, challenges remain in ensuring sustained public participation. Limited resources, particularly in rural areas, mean that some communities are still under-informed about the impacts of climate change. Moreover, while there is growing awareness, translating that knowledge into sustained behavioural change across all sectors of society is an ongoing process.
In conclusion, Grenada’s efforts in public education and participation are advancing, but there is a continued need for collaboration across government, civil society, and international partners to ensure that the population remains engaged and resilient in the face of climate change.
