Environmental Foundation of Jamaica
1b Norwood Avenue
Kingston 5
Tel: 960-6744
MEDIA RELEASE
Governments of the United States and Jamaica sign documents to
merge environmental agencies with $700 million Fund.
Kingston, June 26, 2015
Minister of Water, Land, Environment and Climate Change, Hon. Robert Pickersgill and the
United States Ambassador Luis G. Moreno today signed an agreement to effect the merger of the
Environmental Foundation of Jamaica (EFJ) and the Jamaica Protected Areas Trust (JPAT)/
Forest Conservation Fund (FCF). The merged entity, maintaining the name EFJ, will result in
approximately $700 million being made available for various projects geared towards the
preservation of the environment and children affairs.
Speaking at the event the US Ambassador stated that “the United States is committed to helping
the people of Jamaica mitigate the growing threat from global climate change. He said this in the
context that “Jamaica’s environment is facing significant challenges to from habit destruction
and pollution which is further exasperated by the global effects of climate change”.
Ambassador Moreno highlighted that the USAID has had a strong working relationship with the
EFJ and has worked together to effect the merger since the expiration of the initial funding in
2012. He further stated that “the streamlined operations and rationalised fund streams will
maximise the resources going towards core conservation activities”
Also speaking at the ceremony Minister Pickersgill stated the Government’s focus on Climate
Change. He stated that “the effects of a changing climate continues to impact and will continue
to impact the quality of life for all Jamaicans”. He highlighted the fact that we are now
experiencing record temperatures as reported by the meteorological service.
Minister Pickersgill opined that “to mitigate the effects of climate change and being proactive,
new partnerships are necessary. Partnerships between and among governments, civil society,
academia and most importantly the people”. He highlighted that it is in the context that the work
of the EFJ is important as since inception many of the 1,250 projects implemented, valued at
over US$42.43 million “were undertaken at the community or grass roots level”.
In further endorsing the merger Minister Pickersgill highlighted that “the success of the EFJ and
the FCJ to date will ensure that necessary financial resources will be identified.” He stated that
“the Government of Jamaica is committed to the new EFJ and will continue to support its
activities”.
This signing will among other things, effect the change to the Tropical Forest Conservation Act
(TFCA) agreement which effected the JPAT/FCF debt-for-nature swap; amend the Articles of
Association of the EFJ; and modify the Enterprise of the Americas Agreement which effected the
creation of the EFJ. It will also result in balance payments of approximately US$6.14 million
paid into the consolidated EFJ.
Also party to the agreement were USAID Mission Director for Jamaica, Mrs Denise A. Herbol;
Country Representative of The Nature Conservancy (TNC), Mrs Donna Blake; Chairman of the
EFJ, Prof Dale Webber; Chairman of JPAT, Mr Robert Stephens; and Permanent Secretary in the
Ministry of Water, Land Environment and Climate Change, Dr Alwin Hales.
About
EFJ and JPAT
The EFJ was created by two Enterprise of the Americas Initiative (EAI) agreements signed in
August 1991 and January 1993, which resulted in funding being provided to the entity of
US$21.5 million over 19 years for environmental conservation and child survival and
development. JPAT/FCF was established in similar manner, through a debt-for-nature swap
signed in September 2004, by the Governments of the United States and Jamaica and The Nature
Conservancy (TNC). That agreement provided for the payment of US$16 million over 20 years
for tropical forest conservation.
Tropical Forest Conservation Act (TFCA)
Best known for enabling "debt-for-nature" swaps, the Tropical Forest Conservation Act (TFCA)
of 1998 offers eligible developing countries options to relieve certain official debt owed the U.S.
Government while at the same time generating funds in local currency to support tropical forest
conservation activities. In addition to conserving forests and relieving debt, TFCA is intended to
strengthen civil society by creating local foundations to support small grants to NGOs and local
communities. The program also offers a unique opportunity for public-private partnerships and
the majority of TFCA agreements to date have included funds raised by U.S.-based NGOs.
For more information www.usaid.gov/biodiversity/TFCA
The Enterprise for the Americas Initiative (EAI)
The Enterprise for the Americas Initiative (EAI) was launched in 1990, in order to expand
investment in and provide some debt relief to countries in Latin America and the Caribbean. The
three components of the EAI are: the development of free-trade agreements, including the North
American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA); a US$1.5 billion grant fund to support the
implementation of investment reform programs; and a program of official debt relief.
For more information www.usaid.gov/biodiversity/TFCA/enterprise-for-the-americas-initiative
-- END -For further information on the above please call
Allison Rangolan McFarlane
Environmental Foundation of Jamaica 960-6744