Our Projects
May 2024 – December 2024
Project Partners
IAMovement – Scotiabank – Close the Loop Caribbean Initiative
A dynamic environmental program that combines hands-on restoration, climate education, and innovative nature-based solutions. From reforesting degraded lands to training future climate leaders, the initiative integrated green-engineering solutions like the Vetiver System while fostering partnerships for long-term resilience by engaging youth, corporate volunteers, and local communities.
The IAMovement Scotiabank Close the Loop Caribbean Initiative marked a significant milestone in corporate social and environmental responsibility. This initiative laid the groundwork for long-term sustainability through strategic partnerships, large-scale environmental restoration, and community engagement. Following the United Way National Day of Caring (NDOC) 2024, the initiative expanded into the Climate Champion Training Days, which continued until December 2024, providing hands-on climate education and strengthening environmental leadership among youth.
NDOC 2024 focused on unveiling Trinidad & Tobago’s largest future commercial and industrial-scale composting facility at the Orange Grove agricultural estate in Tacarigua, enhancing reforestation and land regeneration efforts, and fostering climate education. The event engaged over 750 participants in environmental restoration efforts, planting 150 fruit and hardwood trees, propagating 1,050 vetiver plants with the potential to expand to 50,000, and eliminating over 4,250 single-use plastic bottles.
Through Close the Loop Caribbean’s Greening Services, composting and waste diversion efforts led to a significant reduction in landfill waste. Hands-on activities such as tree planting, vetiver installation, and composting demonstrations brought together corporate volunteers, government officials, and local communities in a collective effort to promote sustainable practices.
The Climate Champion Training Days, which extended the initiative, empowered over 90 young participants across three full-day training events in Paramin, Vessigny, and St. Augustine. These sessions combined interactive climate education with hands-on environmental restoration efforts, equipping participants with practical skills in vetiver grass installations, tree planting, and sustainable workshops. The program’s success was reflected in knowledge assessments, which showed steady improvements where 67% of participants demonstrated increased climate literacy in July, rising to 90% in October and 85% in December. With an additional 22,000 vetiver plants projected for propagation, the initiative ensured a continuous supply for future land stabilization and reforestation efforts. The program also emphasized knowledge-sharing, encouraging youth to become advocates for sustainable practices and to lead climate resilience initiatives in their schools and neighborhoods.
Building on these sustainability efforts, the establishment of a vetiver nursery and composting facility created long-term environmental and economic benefits, promoting a sustainable model for green infrastructure development. These initiatives not only supported ecosystem restoration but also empowered local communities with sustainable livelihood opportunities.
To learn more about IAMovement’s Climate Champion Training Days, please visit here.
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