Already impressed by the work of the newly appointed Planning Authority in the Virgin Islands (VI), Premier and Minister of Finance, Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1) says the next step is for the territory to adopt green building practices. Photo: IndiaMart/File

According to Premier and Minister of Finance Honourable Andrew A. Fahie (R1), the new Planning Authority Board now has a role to help the Virgin Islands understand new green technologies and make smarter building decisions. Photo: VINO/File

Premier Andrew A. Fahie says the impact of climate change is visible to the people of the territory, therefore, no one can understand the issues of climate change more than locals directly impacted by its effects. Photo: VINO/File

"The world is constantly changing, and we must not only change with it, but we must get ahead of the technology escalator," Premier Fahie said in a Monday, November 11, 2019, social media video release via the Government Information Service (GIS).

VI Understands Climate Change - Premier Fahie 

The Leader of Government Business said the impact of climate change is visible to the people of the territory, therefore, no one can understand the issues of climate change more than locals directly impacted by the effects.

He reasoned that the territory ought to use its brilliant and creative minds to take a leadership role in the development and application of green building technologies. 

According to the Premier, 'We must go green, this means harmonising designs, whether it is for public infrastructure or residential or commercial building."

He said new designs must take into consideration natural elements such as wind for ventilation and solar for both lighting and heating, "it means building more energy-efficient structures that not only consume more energy but they waste less energy."

This, he noted, will contribute to lower environmental impacts or eliminate them entirely as such initiatives are being employed around the world through a collective body of knowledge.

Legislative Framework 

The Premier also noted that the new Planning Authority Board now has a role to help the VI understand new green technologies and make smarter building decisions and apply them to the territory.

"This may require a review of our legislative framework, for instance, in the area of building codes," Hon Fahie said.

Hon Fahie further noted he is anxious to see proper foundations to push green technologies. "We are looking forward to the amendments to be made to the existing legislation in this respect."  

Changes that must be made include the merging of the Building Authority Board and the Town and Country Planning Board. He said the government will also be looking at ways to strengthen existing building and construction regulations.