Pure Grenada

Although it's been several months since my last post, this update flows seamlessly from the last because my inability to post has been due to being too busy making change to have time to write about it. Here's what happened:

Anyone that follows this blog knows that I've been working on the sustainable energy campaign for the Tourism Sector since the Earth Day Declaration of 2012 when the hotels said they wanted to be Carbon Neutral. That's making progress because funding has been approved to reduce the hotels energy efficiency. It's a small grant of USD $300,000 from the CARICOM Development Fund, but it's one of the few examples where a donor has invested money that will actually generate a measurable, positive developmental result - which is a breath of fresh air!

Then, another grant I had been pursuing got accepted - from Compete Caribbean. This one valued at USD $500,000 that will be used for value chain development - and in this case - it was to support geotourism brand positioning in a public private partnership with the Government of Grenada. So far so good! There are some growing pains (ok a LOT of growing pains) to work out in terms of how this public private partnership is going to work logistically - but we have created the brand, launched it, and begun mainstreaming the sustainable principles that support it.

What's really amazing is to see how far we have come since the GHTA 2012 earth day declaration and how far we are bound to go now that we have such a practical tool (the brand) to get us there. I am so proud to see that the campaign now has so many champions now our next challenge will be how to make space for all these new leaders. LOL! How awesome is that?!

On a more personal note - there are some really amazing people who have been pivotal in helping me achieve what I have worked so hard for:

Hon. Alexandra Otway Noel - because she understands that leadership is about enabling other people to shine, rather than imposing her will upon others.

Russ Jarman Price - for bringing the world globalization and helping us take it back (LOL). You're the bomb Obi-Wan Kenobi!!

Everyone at Les Stroud Productions - because the "Survivorman" team have done so much to support our sustainable agenda I can't even begin to list the ways.

Denyse Ogilvie - Mostly I am amazed at her ability to put her ago aside for the greater good. The world needs more people like her and believe me - we would not be at this cathartic crossroads in development without her.

The GHTA - for being brave enough to take bold steps and for standing by me when the previous government threatened to punish them for working with me.

Russ Fielden of True Blue Bay Resort - For being brave, saying it straight, having limitless generosity and walking the talk.

And to the past government for intimidating me, interfering with my work, frustrating me, refusing to work with me - and ultimately motivating me to care more, work harder and make sure that everyone knows I AM POLITICAL but it has nothing to do with party politics, and everything to do with loving this country and this planet. I'll work with anyone who genuinely wants to make a difference.

A fire has been lit in Grenada and I know we are about to go from the brink of a failure to an example for others to follow.

Watch this space!

Sustainability: Our Competitive Advantage

It's a bitter sweet victory to feel like I'm within a hair's breath of achieving something I've been working towards for three decades: We're on the doorstep of reaching the critical mass necessary for a cathartic change in a society; and it's happening right here in Grenada, right now.

Sustainability may become our economic driver.

Leaders of Grenada's largest industry, the biggest economic contributors to the island are poised on the precipice of a decision about whether or not to embrace 'sustainability' as the cornerstone that defines who we are, what we offer to the world, and how we want to head into the future. Ironically, what Grenada decides to do at this change point in it's history could have a global impact - because what happens here can and does happen everywhere. The only real difference is that we're 100,000 people on a rock in the middle of nowhere so every little thing we do is visible and counts. And what sets us apart is that we've got the critical mass ready to embrace it.

Is a post-industrial sustainable society possible?

One thing I'm convinced of is that if it is, it's got to be led by the private sector. Without wanting to offend my public service colleagues around the world; the difference between the private sector and the public sector is an important once. The public sector tends to focus on process and the private sector tends to focus on results.

We need results and we need them fast.

Because we are small we can rise fast. But because we are small, we can fall fast too.

We're going to rise. And 20 years from now, we'll be the envy of the world over.

Met with the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA)

Yesterday, I met with Mr. Alejandro Tapia, the Regional Programme Officer for Latin America and the Caribbean for the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA). He was an amazing fellow, with good energy and a lot of enthusiasm. Originally from Bolivia, Mr. Tapia is a global citzen, having lived and worked in many parts of the world and worked for many institutions including the World Bank. I joked with him that his job now was a karmic pay-off for high carbon footprint for his life so far! We had a lot of jokes and a lot of laughs and that makes me very excited about what's ahead.

Along with Mr. Alejandro, was Grenada's local consultant, a man named Mr. Telesford. I don't know much about this man yet, but I think we will be well aquainted in a few weeks time!

The International Renewable Energy Agency is conducting a renewable energy assessment of Grenada and Peru (pilots). These assessments will identify what forms of renewables would best suit Grenada and well as generating a roadmap for renewable energy conversion. They were organizing individual meetings with stakeholder groups in advance of a larger workshop. I was nominated by the Non-State Actors Panel to participate.

The workshop is scheduled for July 23rd and may be anywhere from 1 to 3 days long. I suggested that if we had such a meeting it would be good to book a venue that could provide catering on real dishes instead of disposable meal containers. It would seem a shame to be generating a bunch of garbage at a meeting designed to evaluate our readiness to reduce our carbon footprint! :o)

Demand for the Zero Carbon Future Grows

I got a call this weekend from one of Grenada’s largest companies. They are feeling the squeeze of the high electricity costs, and are seeking a cost effective renewable solution. They want “in” on the GHTA campaign.

It comes as no surprise that in a nation with one of the highest electricity rates in the world, other major players want to get involved in the GHTA project. As a sustainable development specialist; this is an ideal situation (and one I could barely imagine 20 years ago!). However, even though I want to run with the excitement and advise the Grenada Hotel and Tourism Association to open their arms and let anyone join in: Doing so may not be as good of an idea as it seems on the surface.

Question: If we want a zero carbon future, why not have anyone and everyone possible join in the campaign???

Answer: This campaign needs phasing –there are so many logistical hurdles to overcome, if we want a sustainable and eventually national solution we need to be strategic about it. In Phase One, it’s best to stay focused, solve the problems that need solving and branch out from there in Phase Two.

One thing needs to be clear: The GHTA campaign is the beginning of a National energy transformation. Not because my clients demand it, but because the rest of Grenada does. Regardless of what the government and GRENLEC want – once the private sector and the people of Grenada start to sing with one voice – it must be listened to.
There are limited Grant funds available – so those grant funds need to be used in a way that opens doors to a national transformation. Grant funds also need to be applied within the context of an energy monopoly that necessitates GRENLEC’s cooperation. Also, since history has shown again and again that technology transfer from wealthy countries to developing nations are rife with challenges – the GHTA project can provide the learning ground to ensure that Grenada’s energy renaissance will be a sustainable one. GRENLEC is also looking at renewable investments, and their expertise and research cannot be underestimated.

Hopefully, if we approach this right – we can work with GRENLEC as partners, rather than adversaries by keeping our eye on a win-zone that is appealing to everyone. Not just one side or the other.

The other reason for keeping it simple is because the GHTA project must consider much more than installing panels on the roofs of hotels. The project needs to address issues like who will fix, install and decommission the technology, what would we do with the e-waste (decommissioned panels at a later date), which technologies are the best priced and most efficient, what are the best back-up systems and what does GRENLEC need to ensure that our investments feed efficiently into the grid. These issues and more have to be resolved and they have to be resolved with a very small pot of money (to start with). This project development is being done solely through Member financial contributions and if we wanted to go bigger we’d need donor support and that would slow the whole thing down as we waited to obtain grants to obtain more grants. No thanks – we want results now.

What is great about other members of the Private Sector expressing so much support for the GHTA campaign is there is power in numbers. When we need negotiating strength we have it. It means that our political leaders will have to recognize that the Nation is ready for sustainable development, and it also means that as the opportunity landscape for national transformation presents itself – it will be a quick and welcome transition!