Antigua and Barbuda is embarking on a transformative initiative project to upgrade its building infrastructure to withstand Category 4 and 5 hurricanes, thanks to financing from the Global Climate Fund (GCF).

The initiative, spearheaded by the Ministry of Finance-Project Management Unit, is a six-year undertaking that seeks to shift the country’s building sector towards a more proactive approach to development, positioning it to respond to the predicted impacts of climate change.

The GCF Build Project is designed to make direct investments in critical public service and community buildings so they can be made climate-proof against Category 4 and 5 hurricanes.

The project also aims to mainstream climate resilience into the building and financial sectors, as well as facilitate the upscaling of such interventions across all facilities in the country to foster sustainable development.

Additionally, the project will deliver interventions through the Antigua and Barbuda Meteorology Services (ABMS) to strengthen climate information services, facilitating early action within the building sector to respond to extreme climate events.

To mainstream climate resilience in the building sector, the Government engaged a team of consultants to conduct a Strategic Impact Assessment (SIA) of the proposed updating of the Building Code for Antigua and Barbuda to accommodate Category 4 and 5 hurricanes.

The SIA is assessing possible environmental and social impacts, as well as gender risks that are likely to manifest once the updated Building Code is operationalized. The consultants will also recommend mitigation measures to address these potential impacts and risks.

In July 2023, the Government engaged a wide cross-section of stakeholders, including members of households, businesses, representatives from the private and public sectors, youth, and community groups in consultative sessions to gather valuable insights and feedback.

The Ministry of Finance Project Management Unit is organizing a validation exercise to review the consultants’ findings and recommendations before finalization.

The validation exercise will consist of two sessions, one in Antigua at the Maria Holder Early Childhood Conference Centre on March 8, 2024, and the other in Barbuda, at the Holy Trinity Primary School on March 9, 2024.

The participation of stakeholders is critical to ensuring that Antigua and Barbuda effectively transition to the updated building code by adequately identifying the impacts and risks.

This will result in ensuring that the appropriate provisions are implemented.