The Virgin Islands Climate Change Trust Fund (VICCTF) received major international and regional support during its launch at the International Climate Change Conference in Brazil during the 30th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP30) in Belém, Brazil. Photo: Facebook

The Virgin Islands held a series of side events to showcase the Virgin Islands Climate Change Trust Fund and regional innovative financial solutions during the conference, hosted in partnership with the Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre at the CARICOM Pavilion from November 13 to 14, 2025. Photo: Facebook/CARICOM

(L-R) Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Natural Resources and Climate Change Dr Ronald F. Smith-Berkeley, Climate Envoy for the Premier and former Minister for Natural Resources and Labour, Dr Kedrick D. Pickering- Head of Environmental Sustainability Division, Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States Commission, Mr Chamberlain Emmanuel, Director of Environment, Ms Angela Burnett Penn, Climate ChangeCoordinator, Caribbean Development Bank Dr Donneil Cain, Chairman of The Virgin Islands Climate Change Trust Fund Board Mr Edward Childs. Photo: Government of the Virgin Islands

The Virgin Islands held a series of side events to showcase the VICCTF and regional innovative financial solutions during the conference, hosted in partnership with the Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre at the CARICOM Pavilion from November 13 to 14, 2025. 

VICCTF is designed to mobilise, manage and disburse climate finance for priority climate adaptation and mitigation initiatives outlined in The Virgin Islands Climate Change Policy to achieve a climate-smart island chain. 

The trust fund is scheduled to be officially launched in 2026.

The delegation from the VI included Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Natural Resources and Climate Change- Dr Ronald F. Smith-Berkeley, Climate Envoy for the Premier and former Minister for Natural Resources and Labour- Dr Kedrick D. Pickering, Director of Environment, Ms Angela Burnett Penn,  and Chairman of The Virgin Islands Climate Change Trust Fund Board- Mr Edward Childs. 

Endorsements and partnerships 

According to a press release from the Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources and Climate Change, these side events led to endorsements and partnership commitments from key regional and international partners.

Executive Director of the Caribbean Community Climate Change Center, Dr Colin Young, praised the VI’s initiative as a best international practice model of how small island economies can meet global climate challenges. 

He also commended the VI for its leadership in establishing a national financing mechanism with seed funding from the Environmental and Tourism Levy that serves as a model that other small island coastal states and Overseas Territories can replicate.

The Virgin Islands Climate Change Trust Fund will also serve as a regional demonstration platform for innovative climate finance mechanisms, knowledge sharing and private sector engagement, the release added. 

The VICCTF’s governance structure includes public, private and civil society representatives to ensure transparency and inclusivity. 

Expressions of interest

The side events hosted by the VI also led to several immediate tangible outcomes for advancing the operationalisation of the trust fund. 

These expressions of interest include an agreement in principle for a partnership with the Caribbean Development Bank and the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office in Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean to develop and implement a Capacity Building Strategy for the trust fund. 

“The strategy will not only ensure that the trust fund has the necessary qualified staff, but ensure that local businesses and organisations have the necessary training and know-how to prepare project proposals for funding by the trust fund and to successfully implement their funded projects,” the release explained. 

The VICCTF also secured the commitment of support from the successful Antigua and Barbuda Sustainable Island Resources Framework (SIRF) Fund, through the sharing of lessons learnt, including on capacity building. 

Expressions of interest were also made from the Caribbean Centre for Renewable Energy and Efficiency to support the development of an Integrated Resources Plan for the sustainable transition to renewable energy for the VI.