Partnerships

Building partnerships with purpose

Global co-operation is the only way to create global resilience against climate change.

By serving as drivers of knowledge, skills, innovation and development solutions, universities play a unique role in helping countries achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Through regional and global partnerships, The UWI is helping to localize SDGs in the Caribbean.

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Some of our core partnerships include organisations and initiatives, such as:

  • The Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU).
  • The Caribbean Climate Modelling Consortium (established by The UWI Mona Campus’ Climate Studies Group and the Investment Plan for the Caribbean Regional Track of the Pilot Programme for Climate Resilience (PPCR).
  • The Global Resilience Research Network (GRRN).
  • The Caribbean Climate-Smart Accelerator.
  • The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB).
  • The Caribbean Development Bank (CDB).
Blue Economy Think Tank

The Global University Consortium on SDG 13 is a worldwide network that is focused on the United Nations’ sustainable development goals (SDGs).

Led by The University of the West Indies, and established by the International Association of Universities, it brings together universities representing six, geographic regions:

  • Latin America
  • The Caribbean
  • Africa
  • Asia and the Pacific
  • Europe
  • North America

Operating within the Global Cluster on Higher Education and Research for Sustainable Development, it serves as a resource and networking hub for universities to establish partnerships, access best practices, influence global policies, and scale their activities.

Within its first year, the Consortium mobilised numerous projects.

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Meet some of our partner agencies

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Who is the Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU)?

  • Membership of approximately 500 institutions from over 50 countries.
  • The ACU believes that universities have a critical role in building climate resilience across the Commonwealth.
  • In 2018, it established a Commonwealth Climate Resilience Network (CCRN) to link universities in climate-vulnerable settings with universities with relevant expertise to develop and exchange knowledge and practice in climate resilience and adaptation.

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Who is The Global Resilience Research Network (GRRN)?

  • A global network of over 30 leading institutions engaged in resilience research that informs the development of novel tools and applications.
  • The Global Resilience Institute (GRI) at Northeastern University (USA) launched it in 2018.
  • The network includes leading universities, including The UWI, institutes, non-profit organizations, and companies.

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Who is the Caribbean Climate Modelling Consortium?

  • It's a regional initiative formed by The Climate Studies Group at The UWI Mona Campus (CSGM), and the Investment Plan for the Caribbean Regional Track of the Pilot Programme for Climate Resilience, in 2018.
  • The Consortium provides critical climate data to aid resilience-building policy and programmes in the region.
  • It examines new climate projects, emerging science issues, and funding opportunities, and analyses and disseminates the latest modelling scenarios.
  • It enables networking among researchers and practitioners.
  • Cuba, Haiti, Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados, Belize, Saint Lucia, Suriname, Germany, California and Jamaica are just some of the countries who are consortium members.

Quick fact

Having joined the network in 2019, The UWI is expected to be a key contributor to the GRRN’s Island Resilience Initiative (IRI). It will bring technical expertise through faculty researchers in sustainability, resilience, and disaster risk reduction. The IRI aims to develop an action plan for a US-Caribbean Resilience Partnership that recognises the interdependencies among the built, natural, and social elements of communities and societies.

Creating the world’s first climate-smart zone

What is the Caribbean Climate-Smart Accelerator?

  • A ground-breaking initiative to make the Caribbean the world’s first climate-smart zone.
  • Born in August 2018, when The UWI hosted a coalition of 26 countries and over 40 private and public sector partners to create and implement climate solutions for resilience, renewable energy and the development of sustainable cities.
  • The Accelerator initiative is working to fast-track sound public and private investment opportunities that support climate action and economic growth through sustainable development.
  • Usain Bolt, Jamaica’s eight-time Olympic Gold Medal winner, and Sean Paul, internationally acclaimed dancehall artiste, were appointed Accelerator Ambassadors to promote the Accelerator’s work.

An Accelerated Achievement

  • Installation of 20 solar water purification panels on the roof of the children’s ward at the University Hospital of the West Indies, in Kingston Jamaica. Zero Mass Water Inc.
  • The Caribbean Climate-Smart Accelerator donated the panels, which use the technology, called Source, to produce water from sunlight and air. The panels provide free, clean drinking water to staff, patients and visitors to the University Hospital and will last for at least 15 years.

Launch of the Caribbean Climate Smart Accelerator

Global Partnerships for Climate Action Symposium

Explore partnerships with The University of the West Indies

University Office of Global Partnerships and Sustainable Futures
The University of the West Indies
Sir Frank Stockdale Building
St. Augustine Campus
Trinidad and Tobago

Telephone: (868) 662-2002 ext. 82274
Email: gpsf@sta.uwi.edu
Website: www.uwi.edu/gpsf