A revised Climate Change Policy, new biosecurity legislation, and the upcoming international launch of the Virgin Islands Climate Change Trust Fund were outlined at the Ministry of Environment’s 2025 Mid-Year Review on Sept. 12, according to Assistant Secretary Tessa Smith-Claxton.
Smith-Claxton said the Biosecurity Policy, supported by the UK Darwin Plus Programme, is intended to protect the territory from invasive species, with a legislative issues paper under development to guide future lawmaking.
She added that consultations are underway on revisions to the Climate Change Policy, and a survey is being conducted to gather public input on the proposed Environment and Climate Change Bill. “The revised framework must reflect both local priorities and international best practices,” Smith-Claxton said.
The Ministry also confirmed that the Climate Change Trust Fund, established in 2009, will be officially launched later this year in Belém, Brazil, with Minister Hon. Julian Fraser and senior officials representing the territory. The fund is expected to support renewable energy projects, including incentives for residents to install solar panels.
