World Wildlife Day has been commemorated by the Parties of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), annually on the 3 March since 20 December 2013 when the 68 session of the United Nations General Assembly decided to proclaim the day to celebrate and raise awareness of the wild fauna and flora of the world. This year’s theme is, “Connecting People and Planet: Exploring Digital Innovation in Wildlife”.

Jamaica became a Party to CITES in July 1997.  The Natural Resources Conservation Authority (NRCA) serves as the Management Authority and the Scientific Authority is appointed by the Ministry with responsibility for Environment. However, NEPA performs the administrative functions for the NRCA.

This year’s celebration will be focused on highlighting the use of digital technology for the conservation of flora and fauna. The Agency will focus on the Jamaican Iguana, sea turtle, White Crown Pigeon and the work done by Hope Zoo. 

For more information about World Wildlife Day please stay tuned to our social media pages and our YouTube page @NEPAJamaica.

The National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA) will be commemorating World Wetlands Day on February 02, 2024, under the theme, “Wetland and Human Wellbeing”. This day marks the date of the adoption of the Convention on Wetlands formerly The Ramsar Convention on Wetlands of International Importance, especially as Waterfowl Habitat on February 2, 1971, in the Iranian city of Ramsar. This year’s theme recognizes wetlands as critical to people and nature, underscoring the intrinsic value of wetland ecosystems and their benefits and services, including contributions to sustainable development and human wellbeing. Similarly, being the Administrative Authority for the Ramsar Convention in Jamaica, the National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA) continues to spearhead the celebration of World Wetlands Day in Jamaica.

World Wetlands Day 2024 Activities

The national focal point this year is the Mason River Protected Area (MRPA). On the day there will be a series of guided tours conducted at the Institute of Jamaica’s (IOJ) field station in Mason River, Clarendon where tour guides from IOJ, NEPA, and the Forestry Department will engage students from participating schools. The celebrations will also feature a joint exhibition from members of the  National Ramsar Committee (NRC) including: the Caribbean Coastal Area Management Foundation (CCAM), the Institute of Jamaica Natural History Museum and the Forestry Department at the focal point. Additionally,  on February 02 and 05 2024, the Agency will conduct mangrove restoration and planting activities at the Palisadoes Port Royal Protected Area in collaboration with JPS, UWI Marine Lab and other stakeholders under NEPA's "Adopt A Mangrove Initiative".

For more information about the World Wetlands Day activities, persons may reach out to the National Environment and Planning Agency at  pubed@nepa.gov.jm

World Town Planning Day (WTPD) is an international event celebrated annually across the world on November 8, in approximately 30 countries on four continent. The am is to increase awareness of planning as a profession and to highlight its important role in the development of the nation.  Jamaica commenced celebrating this event in the 1970s primarily via professional bodies such as the Jamaica Institute of Planners and the Town and Country Planning Authority. The National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA) in collaboration with the other stakeholders began commemorating WTPD in Jamaica in 2001. Since then, the Agency has sought to engage the wider public increasing their knowledge of the field of Planning and its significance.

The National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA) will be celebrating Geographic Information System (GIS) Day from November 16-18, 2020 under the national theme 'Geospatial Technologies: Shaping the Future.' GIS Day is an annual event celebrating the technology of Geographic Information System (GIS). The event is an opportunity for people to learn about geography and the many uses of GIS. 

GIS is a scientific framework for gathering, analyzing and visualizing geographic data that help in decision making for various professional disciplines. The technology assists in developing and implementing solutions that can ultimately enhance and improve the work of Ministries, Departments and Agencies towards sustainable development, wellbeing and quality of life for all Jamaican.

World Ozone Day is celebrated on September 16 annually. This year's celebration will be done under the theme 'Ozone for Life: 35 years of Ozone Layer Protection.'

The protection of the ozone layer began with the Vienna Convention in 1985, which was a system desinged for global monitoring and reporting on ozone depletion. 

This was followed by the Montreal Protocol in 1987. This Treaty was signed by 197 countries on September 16, 1987. Jamiaca became a party to the protocol 1993. 

Since 2000, the ozone layer has regenerated at a rate of 1-3% per decade according to a Scientific Assessment of Ozone Depletion conducted in 2018. It is expected that by 2030 Northern Hemisphere and mid-latitude ozone will heal completely; the Southern Hemisphere and Polar regions will follow suit in 2050 and 2060 respectively.

Ozone layer protection efforts have also contributed to the fight against climate change by averting an estimated 135 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions, from 1990 to 2010.

The Kigali Amendment, was agreed on in Rwanda in 2016. It was entered into force on January 1, 2019. This Amendment aims to phase down the use of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) which contributes to the increase in greenhouse emissions. 

Jamiaca is going through a ratification process before they can become a party to this amendment.

International Coastal Clean-up Day (ICCD) is celebrated annually on the third Saturday of September. This year will mark the 35^th year of ICCD and will be celebrated on September 19, 2020, under the theme 'Fighting For Trash Free Seas.' The one-day celebration will expand one week this year, giving you more information on how ICCD has been beneficial to the environment.

Organized internationally by Ocean Conservancy, ICCD charges stakeholders throughout the world with helping to save the lives of marine animals, protecting the world’s beaches and improving livelihoods through strategic beach clean-ups.

For over thirty (30) years, this event has successfully brought NGOs, government agencies, community-based organizations and volunteers from educational institutions together. Such a collaborative and focused approach has led to ICCD being the largest one-day volunteer event in the world.

As a Small Island Development State (SIDS) with more than 90 public beaches, Jamaica is a key stakeholder in the mission of Ocean Conservancy’s International Coastal Clean-up Day 2020.