The Saint Lucia Chamber ofCommerce, Industry and Agriculture recently participated in a SensitizationWorkshop on the Strategic Tool for Assessment of Risk (S.T.A.R.), held onMarch 9, 2026, at the Bay Gardens Hotel in Gros Islet. The workshop was hostedby the Ministry of Economic Development and the Youth Economy in collaborationwith the Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre (CCCCC) and the Universityof Oxford, with funding support from the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth andDevelopment Office (FCDO).

The workshop introducedparticipants to the J-SRAT (Jamaica Systemic Risk Assessment Tool), adigital platform designed to assess climate-related risks and vulnerabilitiesaffecting infrastructure and other critical assets. The tool enables users toanalyze hazard exposure through an interactive mapping system that identifiesareas at risk from events such as hurricanes, flooding, and coastal hazards.

Key components of the systeminclude the Exposure function, which allows users to select and evaluatehazard scenarios across geographic areas; the Risk component, whichhighlights the level of risk and estimates potential economic losses associatedwith assets such as infrastructure, transportation networks, and commercialhubs; and the Adaptation feature, which enables users to comparedifferent strategies to reduce vulnerabilities and improve resilience.

Participants also discussed the growing importance of risk assessment tools as natural hazards continue to increase in intensity and frequency due to climate change. By categorizing assets based on their economic importance such as major trade routes, labour hubs, and high-traffic areas the tool supports decision-makers in prioritizing investments in infrastructure resilience and disaster preparedness.

A practical demonstration includeda case study from Jamaica, where the system was used to assess theimpact of Hurricane Melissa. The model accurately identified areas that weremost vulnerable prior to the storm and closely matched locations thatexperienced damage after the hurricane. The tool also estimated both directlosses to assets and projected economic losses over time, demonstrating itsvalue for planning and recovery strategies.

The workshop further highlighted capacity-buildingopportunities, including open data training initiatives, free online courses through the Open University, and a planned Summer School programme aimed at strengthening regional expertise in climate risk assessment.

Participation in workshops such asthese is important for the Chamber as it continues to represent the interestsof the private sector. Staying informed on emerging risks and resiliencestrategies strengthens the Chamber’s ability to engage in strategic advocacyand promote pro-business policies that support sustainable economic growth,resilient infrastructure, and a stronger national business environment.

The Chamber welcomes initiativesthat enhance national resilience and support better planning for businesses andcritical infrastructure in the face of climate-related risks.

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