Accelerate the introduction of low-carbon electric mobility in Grenada, leading to reduced national fossil fuel consumption, greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution.

Note: Disbursement data provided is cumulative and covers disbursement made by the project Agency.

The direct project beneficiaries includes participants involved in the demonstrations and the trainees and future trainers attending the capacity building activities of the national project and the global programme. Social benefits In terms of benefits for the local population, through the introduction and expansion of electric vehicles, the project will help to replace ICEs in the country in the medium to long term, reducing air pollution from road traffic-related emissions and thus improving air quality for the citizens of the country. This has the co-benefit of improving citizens' health and lowering associated health care costs and potential death rates, which has become even more relevant due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Notwithstanding that there is no regular information on air quality in Grenada, the most recent data from the World Health Organization (WHO) shows that the annual mean PM2.5 value in Grenada in 2016 was almost 22 µg/m3.[1] In comparison, WHO air quality guidelines stipulate that the mean PM2.5 value should not exceed 10 µg/m3.[2] According to a recent study, the death toll attributed to air pollution is rapidly growing, making it now the world’s largest single environmental health risk (killing more people every year than malaria and AIDS).[3] In 2017, the number of deaths attributable to ambient air pollution in Grenada was estimated at 73, up from 59 deaths in 2010.[4] The project will provide an estimate of the pollutant emissions avoided through the demonstration (see D.2.2.6 and D. 2.2.7). In addition, the introduction of electric vehicles will reduce noise pollution. Economic benefits In terms of economic benefits, Grenada currently spends around 18% of its GDP on fuel imports annually.[5] Although the introduction of low carbon electro-mobility also requires imports and thus investments in renewable energies, electric vehicles and charging infrastructure, in the medium- to long-term the transition will make the country less dependent on global oil prices. Over time this will support the fiscal health of the Grenadian government, as it won’t have to provide such significant fuel subsidies, as well as reduce fuel payments made by vehicle users. A reduced dependency on fossil fuel imports will slowly reduce investment uncertainties, which in turn should lead to a more favourable investment environment, lowering interest rates and expected short-term returns, and making long-term investments more attractive. In addition, the transition to electro-mobility will create a new market for the power generation and distribution sectors, making investments in the latter more attractive and thus improving the reliability of the overall system. Environmental benefits By focusing on safe management and disposal of electric vehicle and its components, the project also anticipates emerging environmental issues stemming from a large-scale market introduction of electric vehicles and seeks to develop policies and regulations to mitigate the associated risks. By providing a direct focus on solid waste management of vehicles, the project aims to have a net positive effect on the environment by reduction of derelict dumped vehicles. [1] World Health Organization (WHO) (2018): Concentrations of fine particulate matter (PM2.5). URL: https://www.who.int/data/gho/data/indicators/indicator-details/GHO/concentrations-of-fine-particulate-matter-(pm2-5) [2] WHO (2005): WHO Air quality guidelines for particulate matter, ozone, nitrogen dioxide and sulphur dioxide, p. 9. URL: https://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/handle/10665/69477/WHO_SDE_PHE_OEH_06.02_eng.pdf;jsessionid=3252302599942E092D270818EDBB969F?sequence=1 [3] Piqueras, P.; Vizenor, A. (2016): The rapidly growing death toll attributed to air pollution: A global responsibility, p. 1. URL: https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/content/documents/1008357_Piqueras_The%20rapidly%20growing%20death%20toll%20attributed%20to%20air%20pollution-A%20global%20responsibility.pdf [4] Statista (2019): Number of deaths attributable to ambient air pollution in Grenada between 2000 and 2017. URL: https://www.statista.com/statistics/868828/number-deaths-ambient-air-pollution-grenada/ [5] NREL (2015): Energy Transition Initiative, Island Energy Snapshot - Grenada, p. 1