The Hummingbird Vol. 11 No. 6

The Hummingbird Vol. 11 No. 4

Preliminary overview of the economies of the Caribbean 2022–2023

This overview examines the economic performance of economies of the Caribbean in 2022 and comprises four chapters. The first chapter provides a comparative analysis across Caribbean economies of the main macroeconomic variables, namely GDP growth, monetary indicators, as well as fiscal and external accounts. The second chapter concludes, while the annex includes individual country briefs that give an overview of the economic situation for the Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Guyana, Jamaica, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, and a subregional assessment of the countries of the Eastern Caribbean Currenc…

Exploring the notion of a Caribbean emissions trading scheme: financing the greening of Caribbean economies

Between 2000 and 2019 the Caribbean Community produced between 0.11 and 0.16% of global emissions. However, despite being only minor emitters these countries find themselves highly exposed to the impact of climate change, increasingly vulnerable to floods, droughts, rising temperatures, rising sea-levels, hurricanes and coral bleaching etc. Furthermore, CARICOM Member States have submitted their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) to the United Nations Framework Convention for Climate Change (UNFCCC). The subregion has, however, lagged behind in the receipt of grant and concessionary su…

Educating the future workforce

The Hummingbird Vol. 11 No. 3

Population and development in the Caribbean (2018–2023): accelerating implementation of the Montevideo Consensus

This study reports on progress made in the implementation of the Montevideo Consensus on Population and Development in the Caribbean subregion over the period 2018–2023. It begins by presenting an analysis of demographic trends in the Caribbean before addressing each of the thematic sections of the Montevideo Consensus, reviewing policies and programmes implemented by governments and civil society organizations, assessing the impact of those actions, and making recommendations to accelerate implementation of the Consensus. The study discusses projected population declines, population ageing an…

The Hummingbird Vol. 11 No. 1

Progress in implementation of the Samoa Pathway: Caribbean regional synthesis report

This Report provides an overview of the implementation of the Small Island Developing States (SIDS) Accelerated Modalities of Action (SAMOA) Pathway adopted in 2014 in Caribbean SIDS. It assesses the progress, made as well as the gaps and challenges Caribbean SIDS experienced in implementing the Samoa Pathway. Recommendations on how these gaps and challenges could be addressed in future iterations of the SIDS Programme of Action are also defined. The Report further outlines emerging issues and potential priority actions that the subregion may wish to consider in its preparation for the Fourth …

The Hummingbird Vol. 10 No. 12

The Hummingbird Vol. 10 No. 11

The Hummingbird Vol. 10 No. 9

A study on challenges and opportunities in financing Sustainable Development Goals 4 and 9 in three Caribbean countries: an exploratory analysis

This study presents an exploratory analysis of the current state of financing the implementation of quality education and resilient infrastructure in Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados and Saint Lucia. The study will analyze domestic funding sources, including government budgetary resources, and foreign sources, including loans and grants. It will examine strategies the region can adopt to leverage funding at scale, such as blended finance, innovative PPPs, ESG-driven FDI and syndicated loans. The study will also examine how the countries can improve the efficiency and effectiveness of financing to…

The Hummingbird Vol. 10 No. 6

Addressing Key Challenges to Sustainable Growth and Development in the Caribbean

The Hummingbird Vol. 10 No. 5

The importance of time-use surveys in guiding social policies: the gendered impact of COVID-19 on paid and unpaid work in the Caribbean

Recognizing the importance of unpaid work is critical to achieving gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls, which is Goal 5 of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Like most SDGs that are focused on the people dimension of the 2030 Agenda, the COVID-19 pandemic has reversed some of the gains made in gender equality and women’s empowerment. Following the onset of COVID-19, many women have been forced to devote greater time to unpaid work activities, the extent of which has not been previously well-documented in the Caribbean. In this study, we evaluate how women and men allo…

The Hummingbird Vol. 10 No. 3

Policy considerations for sustainable transportation in three Caribbean small island developing States: options for improving land transportation efficiency. Barbados, the British Virgin Islands and Jamaica

As the Caribbean subregion seeks to implement strategies for meeting its obligations under the Paris Agreement, the sustainable development of its land transportation subsector has emerged as a significant challenge. This relates to both the need to reduce green house gas emissions, for which the subsector is a major emitter, as well as the necessity for reducing its overall dependence on imported fossil energy. While several policy initiatives have sought to address these issues, the evidence of growing land transportation problems now motivates a closer examination of challenges in the subse…

Exploring the elements of an optimal hydrocarbon fiscal regime

The study analyzes the process for the awarding of blocks among select countries within the western hemisphere, namely Brazil, Guyana, Mexico, Suriname and Trinidad and Tobago. The findings allow for the determination of key elements of what can be considered an optimal hydrocarbon fiscal regime for Caribbean economies that would allow governments to get their fair share of hydrocarbon rents, while ensuring sufficient exploration and production activity. The study therefore suggests that for the Caribbean, the optimal fiscal regime should include a reservation price, royalties, and a windfall …