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4.24. Pursuant to the Fisheries Act, the Fisheries Division publishes the Fisheries Management Plan (FMP). According to the authorities, the FMP is drafted in close cooperation with other Caribbean Community (CARICOM) partners, following the Caribbean Regional Fisheries Mechanism. The current FMP was published in 2020. The authorities note that the FMP is not a legal instrument, but a policy instrument for fishery resource conservation.

4.27. In 2019, Barbados adopted the Barbados National Energy Policy 2019 2030 (BNEP). The Policy sets out an ambitious target for the country to move away from fossil fuels to renewable energy, aiming at reaching 100% renewable energy and carbon neutrality by 2030.

4.28. In order to achieve the target, the Government took measures to address issues on both energy demand and supply sides. On the demand side, the Government encouraged the adoption of energy efficiency technologies and the promotion of energy conservation. In this respect and with this purpose, the Control of Inefficient Lighting Act was assented by the then Governor General in July 2021. On the supply side, the Government is making plans to diversify the sources of energy, with an aim to increase supply from renewable energy. Reaching the target by 2030 may be a challenge, as just 2% of the energy consumed in the country came from renewable sources as of end 2018. As a step in this direction, the authorities note that an Integrated Resource and Resiliency Plan was submitted to the Cabinet for approval.

4.30. With regard to power generation, the Barbados Light & Power Company Limited (BLPC) operates three power plants, and a number of power generating substations, with a total capacity of 252 MW. BLPC generates electricity using diesel, heavy fuel oil, and kerosene. Recently, BLPC installed a new photovoltaic (PV) plant with a capacity of 10 MW. The Barbados National Energy Policy 2019 2030 (BNEP) has set a target of having at least 35,000 buildings with rooftop or ground-mounted PV systems; the Government is also supportive of the development of bio energy (e.g. sugarcane) to generate baseload power.

4.31. When the Electric Light and Power Act (ELPA) entered into force on 4 May 2015, the Barbados Light & Power Company Limited (BLPC) lost its monopoly in the electricity generation market. The ELPA liberalized the segment of power generation, and introduced a licensing regime for the supply of electricity from independent power producers (IPPs). (...) The authorities note that the liberalization of the power generation segment has facilitated the addition of 69 MW of renewable energy to be distributed on the grid. In FY2020/21, the Government, with the aim of encouraging the uptake of renewable energy, granted IPPs a special premium on top of the feed in tariff. According to the authorities, a total of 84 GW electricity was generated by renewable energy in 2021, accounting for 8% of the total electricity generation.

4.35. With the aim of encouraging a reduction in the use of fossil fuels for automobiles, in the 2022 budget the Government provided fiscal incentives for the purchase of electric vehicles (EVs) and hybrid vehicles. These incentives include: (i) reduction of import duties on battery EVs and fuel cell EVs, and solar powered vehicles, regardless whether they are new or used; (ii) import duty reduction for vehicles powered by liquefied petroleum gas and compressed natural gas; (iii) reduction of excise tax for new fuel cell EVs; and (iv) a 24 month excise and VAT holiday for buying EVs (effective from 1 April 2022). In addition, in April 2021 the Government introduced a policy for governmental agencies and state owned entities to restrict the procurement of cars, sports utility vehicles, and light goods vehicles powered by fossil fuel.

4.77. For the purposes of job protection and investment attraction against the devastation caused by the pandemic, the Government also developed the Barbados Employment and Sustainable Transformation (BEST) Programme. A total of BBD 300 million was pledged in the Programme for supporting the tourism sector; support was provided through grants or preferential share investment, with an aim of enhancing the cash flow of businesses so as to allow these businesses to continue hiring employees and transform their business model to adapt to the new reality.

4.83. As provided by the Special Development Areas Act, Cap. 273A, developers involved in constructing, renovating, or refurbishing buildings related to certain tourism activities in specific areas of the country are eligible for exemption from certain taxes. Tax exemptions relate to (...) the environmental levy (...)

4.96. According to the authorities, the land transport sector is set to undergo a major transformation to a fossil fuel free sector by 2030. The Barbados Transport Board began electrification of its bus fleet. The authorities further indicate that the large programme upgrading the country's road system over the 2022-26 period will support other investments in the decarbonization of road transport.

3.39. The import licensing regime is governed by the Miscellaneous Controls Act, Cap. 329, of 1985, the Miscellaneous Controls (General Open Import Licence) Regulations of 2014, and the Miscellaneous Controls (Importation and Exportation of Goods) (Prohibition) (Radioactive Materials) Regulations, 2004. (...)