DoE Director Gina Ebanks-Petrie wins leadership award

Department of Environment Director Gina Ebanks-Petrie has received the 2022 Women Sustainable Development Goal Leadership Award.

Ebanks-Petrie was honoured at the Island Innovation Awards ceremony, which was held virtually, on Friday, 29 April.

The award celebrates “an outstanding woman leader who is driving positive social, economic, or environmental change in her country, island, or community”, according to organisers.

Unaware she had been nominated for an award, Ebanks-Petrie said the honour came as a complete surprise.

“This award is a testament to the collective efforts of the dedicated, hardworking team I have the privilege of leading,” Ebanks-Petrie said in a press release. “We work every day to serve the people of the Cayman Islands by helping to conserve our environment and responsibly managing our natural resources.

“Sustainable Development Goals: 13 – Climate Action, 14 – Life Below Water and 15 – Life On Land, are paramount to our mission. I hope this award will inspire, not just other women in the field of environmental sustainability, but everyone in our community who is working towards a more sustainable and climate resilient future for the Cayman Islands.”

In her acceptance speech, Ebanks-Petrie highlighted some of the work she and the DoE have done over the years, including establishing protected marine areas across all three islands; and implementing conservation measures that have resulted in the recovery of Nassau grouper aggregations and an increase in nesting numbers of two species of endangered sea turtles.

She also noted that her department had worked on drawing up the National Conservation Act, which provides a framework for the management of protected areas, and the conservation of native species and habitats.

“Recently, we’ve been working in support of the preparation of the country’s first set of eco-system accounts, and in a few weeks, alongside other local and international experts, we will help to undertake a climate change risk assessment for the country.”

She added, “There is still a lot to be done, and I look forward to continuing my work with my awesome team at the DoE to help further embed sustainability in our nation’s decision-making processes here in the Cayman Islands.”

Premier Wayne Panton, who is also minister of sustainability and climate resiliency, congratulated Ebanks-Petrie, saying, “Gina’s accomplishments certainly make her a worthy recipient of this award. Her 26 years at the helm of the Department of Environment, and her many years of dedicated services prior to taking up that role, have culminated in expansive protections for our coastal waters, and the passage of landmark legislation to conserve our terrestrial environment.

“It also speaks volumes about the caliber of Gina’s leadership that her staff would take the time to nominate her for this recognition on the global stage.”

DoE senior environmental assessment officer Lauren Dombowsky said in the release, “Gina has taught me that through perseverance, we can make tangible change for the better.”

About the awards

Dedicated to individuals, organisations and projects driving positive change for remote and island communities globally, the Island Innovation Awards are hosted in partnership with the Clinton Global Initiative.

The 2022 awardees were decided by a 20-person jury that included former president of the Republic of Seychelles James Michel, former United Nations High Representative Fekitamoeloa Katoa ‘Utoikamanu, Blue Planet Alliance president Henk Rogers and 8th vice-chancellor of the University of the West Indies Sir Hilary Beckles, among other evaluators.

Island Innovation is a global network of private sector companies, governments, universities, NGOs and utilities connecting them with the island stakeholders to help them develop and accelerate sustainability initiatives.