How the Bridgetown Initiative is Changing the Way we Fight Climate Change

Abstract

This project examines the Bridgetown Initiative, a policy designed to fight climate change and the debt crisis introduced by Mia Motley, the Prime Minister of Barbados at COP 27 in November 2022 (pictured in Figure 1). Through exploring this initiative and comparing it to earlier climate accords we will consider the viability of it becoming a national agreement. The Bridgetown Initiative focuses on climate change’s impact on developing countries and how the debt crisis is making it even harder to make steps forward. The initiative has received praise from countries of varying sizes and wealth. A major remodel of the financial system that is currently putting developing countries into farther debt is what the initiative is asking for. This change will allow smaller countries to be better protected from the climate disasters that are only getting worse while also working to make the switch to cleaner energy. Past examples show that including developing countries in the protocol gives it a better chance of success, but without confirmation and dedication form developed countries and current system changes it would have a hard time getting off the ground.