Partanna Bahamas, pioneer of the world’s first carbon-negative concrete, has signed an MoU with the Caribbean Climate-Smart Accelerator (CCSA), an entity driving the Caribbean economy transition into a climate-smart zone.
As part of the agreement, both parties will highlight the growing economic and social costs of climate change to the region, and call on governments and the private sector to invest in climate-resilient infrastructure.
Partanna’s carbon-negative concrete has the potential to revolutionise the global construction industry — which contributes around 40 per cent of the world’s annual CO₂ emissions. The CCSA will help Partanna to realise its mission and potential by identifying public and private sector collaborators throughout the region.
The MoU is part of a drive by CCSA to champion Caribbean businesses with the potential to create global impact through their climate innovations. The CCSA does this by matching entrepreneurs and businesses to its network of regional donors, investors, and philanthropists
The agreement comes shortly after Partanna announced the development of up to 1000 affordable homes with the Government of the Bahamas, a move set to meet shortages and revolutionise affordable housing in a nation at the frontline of the climate crisis.
Paramount to the MoU is a commitment from both parties to make use of the region’s young talent. It is hoped that increased use of Partanna within the Caribbean can spark a green jobs boom, in a region where 1 in 4 young people are unemployed.
Partanna’s housing development project will provide at least 1000 direct and indirect jobs for Bahamians over its duration. Partanna will also provide training in the new skill sets required to establish the Caribbean as a global centre of a new sustainable building materials industry.
Rick Fox, former Los Angeles Lakers and founder of Partanna Global, commented: “For the Caribbean, adaptation to climate change is a matter of survival. With more and more extreme weather events impacting our region – it’s vital we invest today in resilient homes and infrastructure that can cope with climate change.
“Our building materials offer greater protection, and also suck CO2 from the atmosphere – making them part of the short-term and long-term solution to climate change.
“We know there is simply no time left, and the CCSA shares our urgency. We’re delighted to work with the accelerator and its incredible network of regional leaders, to secure green growth that delivers for Bahamians and the region.”
Racquel, Moses UNFCCC Global Ambassador & CEO of the Caribbean Climate-Smart Accelerator, said: “Times are few that we have such a unique opportunity to build global leadership within our region. We see the Partanna solution as one that can finally usher in a new age of Global South leadership in setting the standards and by extension bringing within the region the certification process for climate action projects. We need to be smart, avoid the climate catastrophe by unlocking positive economic transformation.
“Local solutions will be critical to our transition to low carbon economies. By engaging local innovators, like Partanna, we want to lead on the world’s stage, not follow, and with construction being one of the most difficult to decarbonise industries, Partanna offers an exciting opportunity to do so” (Loop News).
