Kerri Gooding
Published on November 11, 2026
The Caribbean’s energy transition must extend beyond electricity generation. How the region moves people and goods is also central to reducing fossil fuel dependence, lowering greenhouse gas emissions and strengthening energy security.
That was the focus of “Charging the Transition: Scaling Electric Mobility Ecosystems for NDC Delivery in SIDS”, a CCREEE-hosted session at the CARICOM Pavilion during COP31 in Antalya, Türkiye, on November 10, 2026.
The discussion brought together regional and international perspectives on what it will take to scale electric mobility across Small Island Developing States. Moderated by Vekash Khan, Technical Chief of Staff at CCREEE, the panel featured Adam Ó Ceallaigh, Ireland’s Climate Youth Delegate; Francois Rogers, Executive Director of Blue Planet Alliance; Lisa-Ann Fraser, Head of Operations at CCREEE; Frances Fuller, Head of Programme Strategies at Climate Analytics; and Leslie Smith, Director of Renewable Energy and National Ozone Officer in Grenada’s Ministry of Climate Resilience, Environment and Renewable Energy.
The conversation considered the practical requirements for moving from electric mobility pilots to wider adoption. These include charging infrastructure, grid readiness, supportive policies and standards, access to finance, institutional capacity and a stronger role for regional cooperation. Panelists also considered lessons from government fleet electrification, electric buses and emerging marine applications.
The case for action is significant. Transport accounts for approximately 30 per cent of fuel consumed across CARICOM, while fuel imports represent roughly 10 per cent of the Community’s GDP. Reducing reliance on imported petroleum in the transport sector can therefore contribute to climate goals while supporting more secure and resilient economies.
CCREEE is advancing this work through initiatives including its Regional Electric Vehicle Strategy and the GIZ-supported NDC-TEC Programme. These efforts support policy development, technical assistance, demonstration projects and institutional capacity-building to help countries advance their energy and transport transitions.
“At the center of scaling electric mobility are three things: people, policy and programmes,” said Vekash Khan, Technical Chief of Staff at CCREEE.
“People, because the transition depends on trained technicians, engineers and institutions with the skills to plan, install and maintain these systems. Policy, because governments need the right incentives and meaningful consultation with stakeholders to give investors and consumers confidence. And programmes, because through pooled procurement we can bring our small markets together into one scalable market, lowering costs and making electric mobility viable across the region.”
The session reinforced the importance of treating electric mobility as part of a wider energy system transformation. Progress will depend on coordinated planning, investment and cooperation, with national ambitions translated into practical solutions that work for Caribbean people and economies.
