Caribbean Regional Consultative Workshop on SIDS Lighthouses Initiative Progress Indicators and Impact Measures

In response to the 2014 S.A.M.O.A. Pathway and the subsequent launch of the SIDS Lighthouses Initiative (LHI), IRENA has played a pivotal role in supporting sustainable energy strategies in Small Island Developing States (SIDS). The LHI serves as a framework aimed at deploying renewables to transform energy systems in island countries, fostering coordinated support through partnerships among SIDS and various stakeholders. As the initiative progresses, the need for effective progress indicators and impact measures has emerged.

The SIDS LHI, initiated in 2014, addresses the urgent call for SIDS to implement their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) in alignment with the Paris Agreement. Through consultations with LHI partners, priority areas were identified in 2018, focusing on reviewing and implementing NDCs, deploying innovative solutions, promoting diverse renewable sources, supporting bankable projects, and strengthening capacity development across the renewable energy value chain. These priorities extend beyond power generation, encompassing transportation and other end-use sectors, climate resilience, and synergies between renewables and non-energy sectors.

IRENA recognizes the need to assess and measure the impacts of the SIDS LHI’s priority areas and, as part of knowledge sharing, aims to develop a set of indicators to track progress at national, regional, and global levels. The first regional consultation workshop, starting on February 26 in Kingston, Jamaica, targeted the Caribbean region. The primary objective was to present draft progress indicators and impact measures, seeking feedback on relevance, appropriateness, and potential opportunities for strengthening.

The workshop aimed to achieve consensus on the importance of participating in and reporting on the progress of SIDS LHI implementation. It also sought to develop competencies in reporting, reach agreement on shortlisted indicators and impact measures, and share experiences regarding reporting challenges and capacity needs, which were considered in refining the indicators.

Representatives from government ministries, public sectors, development partners, financial institutions, and other stakeholders from Caribbean SIDS responsible for energy transition and monitoring progress within international frameworks has participated.

The workshop represented a critical step in enhancing the effectiveness of the SIDS LHI, aligning it with the evolving energy context of SIDS, and fostering sustainable energy transitions in the Caribbean region. It underlined IRENA's commitment to supporting SIDS in realizing their renewable energy goals and strengthening their resilience to climate change.

The event was by invitation only.