Bahamas

New or Updated NDC

Analysis of Updated NDC

Timeframe

2020 - 2030

Relevant context

The Bahamas is a Small Island Developing State (SIDS) and a member of the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS). This country has the third longest barrier reef in the world, which is undergoing coral bleaching due to climate change. The Bahamas is highly vulnerable to the increasingly frequent and intense hurricanes, cyclones and tropical storms, which cause devastating losses and damages to infrastructure, environment, and lives and livelihoods.

This updated NDC focuses on strategic components that would strengthen national policies and planning, strengthen public health, enhance natural resources management, strengthen and mainstream climate change awareness and education, and leverage funding for adaptation. The Bahamas is committed to a reduction of 30% of GHG emissions compared to its business-as-usual (BAU) scenario by 2030.

Process for developing NDC

This updated NDC was prepared through a joint collaboration between the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (MoENR) and the Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre (CCCCC) supported by the Green Climate Fund (GCF) through its Readiness and Preparatory Support Project. This NDC is informed by the National Energy Policy 2013-2033, the National Adaptation Policy, the National Development Plan, the Biennial Update Report (BUR), the National Communications, and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Multi-stakeholder and cross-sector consultations were held to assess the coherence between this proposed updated NDC and the country’s policies and its economic and development goals. Stakeholders and experts were also consulted with regard to the findings of the sectoral Strength, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats (SWOT) analysis carried out on five priority sectors for mitigation—that is, energy; transportation; industrial processes and produce use (IPPU); land use, land use change and forestry (LULUCF); and waste--and in general for adaptation. Consultations held during the preparation of the BUR and the Third National Communication were also taken into account during the formulation of this updated NDC.

The targets and activities of the adaptation and mitigation measures were also linked with the relevant SDGs. However, there are no interlinkages made with SDG 5 (gender inequality) for any of the adaptation and mitigation targets and activities.

Description of Monitoring and/or Implementation Mechanism

The Bahamas government has set up institutional arrangements for the implementation and monitoring of this NDC. The implementation will be led by the Department of Environmental Planning and Protection (DEEP) under the MoENR with the support from the Bahamas National Climate Change Committee (NCCC). This Committee’s role is to provide strategic-level guidance on climate change policies, plans and activities, and is made up of representatives from government ministries and agencies, civil society and the private sector. A list of key stakeholders that would contribute to the implementation of the adaptation and mitigation components respectively were presented.

A robust monitoring, reporting and verification (MRV) system is currently being developed. This system will keep track of the progress of the implementation of this updated NDC, and serves as a database for information on funding, technology transfer and capacity-building support requested and received.

This updated NDC has a provision stating that the implementation of the mitigation and adaptation targets “are contingent upon receiving international support for technology transfer, capacity building and financial resources.”

Summary of gender reference

There are two references to gender in this NDC. Firstly, the Department of Gender and Families is recognized as one of the stakeholders involved in MRV for adaptation.

Secondly, the development of mitigation measures took into account social implications, that is investments in skill training, cultural practices and gender parity.

Bahamas Updated NDC

Gender Analysis Summary
Submitted NDC	No
Submitted language	English
Submitted translation	No
NDC commitments	Mitigation Adaptation
Type of support	Conditional
Participatory process for NDC development mentioned	Yes
Monitoring and/or implementation	Monitoring Implementation
Reference to women/gender	No

Analysis of Original NDC

Timeframe

2010-2030

Relevant context

The Bahamas is highly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change given its geographical vulnerabilities; environmental vulnerabilities; concentration of socio-economic activities and critical infrastructure in narrow coastal zones; dependence on tourism and limited human and institutional capacity. It is a small island developing state.

Process for developing NDC

Bahamas INDC builds on the participatory multi-stakeholder and cross-sectoral consultative processes undertaken during development of previous communications to he UNFCCC. These processes created genuine national ownership of the INDC and highlighted synergies with other UNFCCC related processes.

Bahamas NDC

Gender Analysis Summary
Submitted NDC	Yes
Submitted language	English
Submitted translation	No
NDC commitments	Mitigation Adaptation
Participatory process for NDC development mentioned	Yes
Reference to women/gender	No