Premier and Minister of Finance, the Environment, Natural Resources and Climate Change Honourable, Dr. Natalio Wheatley has called on the people of the Virgin Islands to embrace incentives for transitioning to renewable energy.

 Honourable, Wheatley made the call while delivering the 2024 Budget Address on Tuesday, November 21st themed, “Planning, Priorities, and Progress: Building a Sustainable Nation” during the Sixth Sitting of the First Session of the Fifth House of Assembly. 

Premier Wheatley said, “There are a lot of benefits from green procurement, and it is the policy of the Government to ensure that green technology and practices are factored into public projects. We continue to urge persons to embrace the incentives for transitioning to renewable energy, so that we can lessen our carbon footprint and save money.”

The Premier stated that it is a well-established fact that ‘Going Green’ is good for the environment and has the potential to save money.

He said, “A lot of money is spent in fossil fuel, and because fossil fuels have to be imported, this is also an avenue by which a lot of money leaves our economy. Not to mention, also, fossil fuels are dirty.”

The Ministry for the Environment and Climate Change will be launching the Green Pledge Drive within the next few weeks, to scale up the existing Green Pledge programme.

The programme encourages all businesses and organisations, including Government agencies, to “go green” by reducing environmental impact during both development and operations.

Premier Wheatley said Government will lead by example by promoting a “Green Pledge” drive seeking the participation of the Public Service as well as the Private Sector to address the need for environmentally sustainable practices such as searching for opportunities to reduce energy consumption and waste.

The full 2024 Budget Address can be accessed on Facebook at username @BVI Government or via the link https://www.facebook.com/BVIGovernment/videos/664365719224975.

The Government of the Virgin Islands remains resolute in the promotion of the overall development of the Territory through commitment and sustainable transformation.