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Ministry of Climate Change & Environment established

- Ministry to focus on critical issues involved in preservation & sustainable use of environment
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – What was previously the Ministry of Natural Resources and Labour, will now be the Ministry of Climate Change & Environment as a new standalone ministry under the remit of the Premier and Minister of Finance, Dr the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley (R1). Photo: GIS/Facebook
Mangroves in the VI. Premier Natalio D. Wheatley said he is looking forward to the ministry’s establishment of a Department of Climate Change and Environment to respond to the needs mentioned, including climate change. Photo: Internet Source
Mangroves in the VI. Premier Natalio D. Wheatley said he is looking forward to the ministry’s establishment of a Department of Climate Change and Environment to respond to the needs mentioned, including climate change. Photo: Internet Source
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – What was previously the Ministry of Natural Resources and Labour, will now be the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment as a new standalone ministry under the remit of the Premier and Minister of Finance, Dr the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley (R7).

This comes as the Virgin Islands (VI) embarks on a drive to respond to climate change and environment challenges as well as the issues surrounding the two areas. 

The announcement was made by the Premier during a press briefing and update on his recent trip to the UK held today, May 16, 2023, where he added that the decision to establish the ministry came after internal consultations on the matter. 

“After careful consideration and internal consultations, my administration has made an adjustment to the initial ministerial portfolios announced after the General Election. I'm pleased to report that we have established the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment as a Ministry in its own right,” Dr Wheatley announced, 

“That stands separately from the Premier's office, I will serve as minister over this portfolio. This demonstrates the importance we assigned to the environment and all the critical issues involved and it's preservation and sustainable use as well as the existential threat of climate change,” he added.

Dept of Climate Change to come 

Meanwhile, the Premier said he is looking forward to the ministry’s establishment of a Department of Climate Change and Environment to respond to the needs mentioned, including climate change.

Since 2015, the VI had placed an emphasis on responding to the challenges of climate change through the establishment of the Virgin Islands Climate Change Trust Fund in March of 2025.

When questioned, the Premier detailed that Natural Resources will still fit into the new ministry, however, the New Ministry of Climate Change and Environment is more a renaming of the previous ministry to focus on matters relating to the sector.

26 Responses to “Ministry of Climate Change & Environment established”

  • Rubber Duck (16/05/2023, 17:12) Like (28) Dislike (4) Reply
    I cant wait to see what this Climate Change ministry s going to do.

    The climate is changing, it has always changed.

    What is a Ministry on a tiny island going to do about it.

    Ridiculous.
  • youth man (16/05/2023, 17:17) Like (11) Dislike (25) Reply
    Good job Premier. We have every confidence in you and your team. Keep pushing forward in making the BVI an awesome place in the world.
    • @youth man (17/05/2023, 07:47) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
      The BVI would be an awesome place if we the people would do our part, don’t just sit back complaining about the Government not doing anything. If you see a fallen tree branch in the road, what is so hard about getting out of your vehicles and move the tree branch rather than complaining about the Government is not moving the fallen tree branch. To make the BVI awesome, we all have to do our part in making the BVI awesome.
  • resident (16/05/2023, 17:39) Like (37) Dislike (3) Reply
    This is a joke, right...? This government cannot even control sewage, litter and trash disposal.....
    • @resident (16/05/2023, 20:56) Like (23) Dislike (0) Reply
      I am going to keep it real, The Government is not alone in this. The people is also a big part of the problem with sewage, litter and trash as well. Who is allowing sewage to run down from the houses on the hills that is running down in the streets? Who is tossing bags of garbage on the side of the roads and the shore line? Who is putting old furniture, stoves and refrigerators etc… in areas that is only designed for regular garbage only? Do you see the Government doing any of the above mentioned? Lay the blame where the blame should be laid.
      • @@resident (17/05/2023, 07:06) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
        Exactly, I absolutely agree that the people is also part of the problem concerning the litter, trash and sewage problems. I have seen to many people throwing garbage out of moving cars on the side of the roads like it is normal. DUMMIES, simply carry a plastic bag in your vehicles, put your trash in the plastic bag and dispose your trash properly, not at the side of the roadways.
      • No joke (17/05/2023, 09:20) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
        Global warming is affecting everyone and we are not immune. Soon places that is normally hot will have cold weather and places that is normally cold will have hot weather. The sewer and household waste that that is running down the hill is eroding the hillside. Don’t be surprise if, forbid there is a landslide from the eroding hillside and the houses start falling like dominoes. Something to think about right?
    • Really? (16/05/2023, 22:42) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
      What I'd like to know is how does this get priority over a Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports.
  • Fact Checker (16/05/2023, 17:39) Like (16) Dislike (0) Reply
    Why have a Ministry when you can just have a Department and have a head of Department that works alongside all the Ministries to implement climate change goals in the V.I?
    • BECAUSE... (16/05/2023, 21:06) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
      Ministers make Bank and department heads make a little cash....so you see what they did right?
  • Political analyst (16/05/2023, 18:09) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Was there a mutually agreed to construction completion time as to when the project would be complete and useable? If no why not? Did the contract include strong liquidated damages for avoidable delays in meeting contractual completion time? Was a full time construction inspector assigned to the project? And did he/she officially communicated (write, meet) with the contractor concerning the lengthy delay? What if any cause(s), if any, was given for the delay? Will the government be made whole for the extra expense incurred as a result of the contractor/caused delay(s)?
  • resident (16/05/2023, 18:16) Like (23) Dislike (0) Reply
    What a joke, why did we disband conservation then
  • ??? (16/05/2023, 19:18) Like (16) Dislike (0) Reply
    I saw the debates not one soul know anything about climate control in that government.
  • c (16/05/2023, 20:02) Like (9) Dislike (1) Reply
    Sounds like the opportunity to laundry some money
  • Xxx (16/05/2023, 22:16) Like (3) Dislike (8) Reply
    VIP run things
  • my 2 cents (16/05/2023, 22:36) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    We can start with decreasing our carbon footprint - increasing our solar energy output and establishing wind farms in anegada. Ban single use plastics. Force households to divide their waste into recyclable products and general waste. Improve the water supply so tap water can be used for cooking and drinking.
  • hmm (16/05/2023, 23:13) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    I understand what they want to do…but this one not mathing correck. Can’t we have just kept the name, added in “the environment” and include the mitigation of the impacts of climate change as one of the subjects?
  • herbs power (16/05/2023, 23:50) Like (12) Dislike (1) Reply
    Need a Road and Pothole ministry instead.
  • Meteorological Office (17/05/2023, 00:48) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    It makes a lot more sense to set up a meteorology office. What are you're primary sources for climatological data, forecast etc? These delayed and most times inaccurate reports come from Antigua through DDM. It is more important that a National meteorological Service be established
  • WOW (17/05/2023, 01:05) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    So still no focus on Tourism?
  • Sowande again.. (17/05/2023, 05:12) Like (0) Dislike (8) Reply
    Great move. Add another PS to accommodate that move snd I suggest you add. Ms Zoe Walcott. That's a make things happen person..Exactly what you need..
  • Solar panels (17/05/2023, 07:37) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    Solar panels is the way to go.
    • Laurie (19/05/2023, 14:49) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      Solar panels can help but be sure to mandate a decommissioning bond! This will be sure that any damaged or outdated panels are handled like the hazardous waste they contain- these cannot be out in landfills or burned! And don’t ship the old panels to Bangladesh either! Cadmium inside the glass sandwiches and lead in the soldering.
  • Guest (17/05/2023, 08:50) Like (2) Dislike (4) Reply
    Another good move. The naysayers will eventually adjust to the changes. Don't be daunted Hon. Premier.
  • chupes. Seriously? (17/05/2023, 08:59) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    add a Ministry for Disabled citizens. Thats more important
  • Aunty Susan (17/05/2023, 11:27) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    Look out for an increase in Ministers and others jetting around the world attending climate conferences.

    Because thats what they do.


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