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The Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA) and the Caribbean Alliance for Sustainable Tourism (CAST) Issue Urgent Earth Day Call for Renewable Energy Reform Across the Caribbean
CHTA President Sanovnik Destang and CAST Acting Chairperson Karolin Troubetzkoy urge swift policy action as new report reveals critical barriers and opportunities for energy transition
As the world marks Earth Day 2025, the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA) and its affiliate, the Caribbean Alliance for Sustainable Tourism (CAST), are sounding a clear call: it is time to prioritize renewable energy adoption across the region.
“This year’s Earth Day theme—Our Power, Our People, Our Planet—resonates deeply with the Caribbean,” shared CHTA President Sanovnik Destang.
“It is a powerful reminder that by working together—governments, the tourism industry, and our communities—we can harness our collective strength to drive meaningful progress toward a more sustainable, resilient future.”
The Caribbean’s tourism industry has made great strides in energy efficiency and renewable energy over the last two decades, with many governments enacting policies to support this transition.
However, challenges remain in reducing energy costs—especially in scaling up renewable energy adoption in line with global climate goals.
A recent report prepared by CHTA and CAST, “Empowering the Caribbean Tourism Industry through Renewable Energy: A Call for Policy Action,” presents key findings from 17 jurisdictions and recommends practical steps to move forward.
Among the key barriers described in this report are:
- Red Tape and Unclear Guidelines – Most jurisdictions allow renewable energy installations—but red tape and unclear guidelines are slowing adoption.
- Confusion over Permitting Requirements – Nearly 40 percent cite confusion over permitting requirements for renewable energy systems.
- Skills Shortages – Lack of skilled labor to install and maintain systems is a challenge in 31 percent of countries.
- Financing – Overwhelmingly, access to affordable financing for renewable investments remains limited.
- Incentives – Investment incentives are weak or non-existent in many places.
- Stimulating Self-Generation with Buy-Back Programs – No buy-back programs exist in nearly half of the jurisdictions—and where they do, credits are often undervalued.
Drawing upon its research, CHTA and CAST recommend the following actions:
- Remove Arbitrary Size Limits for self-generation capacity. Allow renewable systems to be sized based on energy needs and site feasibility—not outdated kW caps.
- Streamline Permitting Processes – Simplify and clarify approval procedures to accelerate investment in renewable projects.
- Redefine the Role of Electric Utilities – As energy production changes, so too must the roles of utilities. They should be redefined to encourage competition and allow private-sector participation in energy generation.
- End Unfair Utility Fees – Eliminate discriminatory charges on self-generators and ensure fair interconnection rules.
- Offer Stronger Financial Incentives – Introduce or expand tax breaks, grants, and low-interest loans to support renewable adoption.
- Create and Improve Fair Buy-Back Programs – Implement net billing or feed-in tariffs that fairly compensate private renewable producers.
“The Caribbean stands at a pivotal moment,” stated CAST Acting Chairperson Karolin Troubetzkoy.
“With the right policies and partnerships, we can accelerate the region’s transition to renewable energy and position our industry as a global leader in sustainable development. The time to act is now.”
For access to the full report please visit https://caribbeanhotelandtourism.com/commitment-initiatives/advocacy/. For more information on CHTA, please visit https://caribbeanhotelandtourism.com. For more information on CAST, please visit https://cast.caribbeanhotelandtourism.com.
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About the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA)
The Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA) is the Caribbean’s leading association representing the interests of national hotel and tourism associations.
For more than 60 years, CHTA has been the backbone of the Caribbean hospitality industry. Working with some 1,000 hotel and allied members, and 32 National Hotel Associations, CHTA is shaping the Caribbean’s future and helping members to grow their businesses.
Whether helping to navigate critical issues in sales and marketing, sustainability, legislative issues, emerging technologies, climate change, data and intelligence or looking for avenues and ideas to better market and manage businesses, CHTA is helping members on issues that matter most.
About the Caribbean Alliance for Sustainable Tourism (CAST)
Founded in 1997, the Caribbean Alliance for Sustainable Tourism (CAST) has a longstanding history of providing guidance and expertise in awareness-raising programs, environmental management systems and best practices to achieve responsible environmental and social management of natural and heritage resources, within the Caribbean’s hotel and tourism sector.
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Renewable energy is a scam, all the countries that push it has their main source of power is nuclear power plants, the renewable energy is too dynamic where one time there is no wind and cloudy days so no sun, it’s a money making stunt to force third world countries as they call us to buy their products under their government influence of Caribbean leaders, it’s a good backup for transients but not power demand for manufacturing and industrial use. The Caribbean should get thermal energy or nuclear power plants, and this is where the USA and other large country are scared of their former slaves attaining nuclear power that can be used to make weapons, so they are supervising their former subjects away from self sufficiency and sovereign determination, so they stifle any industrial manufacturing aspirations that work harmoniously with cheap power production which comes from thermal or nuclear power.