A commitment to protect Bermuda’s environment was renewed after a major environment conference in Glasgow last week.

Walter Roban, the Minister of Home Affairs, said last week’s Throne Speech highlighted the Government’s dedication to safeguard the seas around Bermuda and move towards renewable energy sources.

Mr Roban said: “The introduction of a Marine Development Act will include a marine spatial plan identifying the 20 per cent protected area of Bermuda's Exclusive Economic Zone.

“The Act will also create a framework to balance development and sustainability, providing an application process for the investment in fishing, offshore renewable energy and ‘blue tourism’.

“The process will guide the management of ocean uses across the EEZ, drawing on local expertise and utilising an environmental impact procedure akin to the Bermuda Plan for land development."

He was speaking after the UN’s COP26 event in Glasgow – an international environmental conference designed to combat climate change.

Mr Roban, who led a delegation of representatives from the British Overseas Territories to Scotland, said he used the opportunity to highlight the island’s green credentials.

He said he had met Marc Vanheukelen, the ambassador at large for climate diplomacy at the European External Action Service, Gene Leon, president of the Caribbean Development Bank, and Gina McCarthy, a White House adviser on climate change.

Mr Roban said: "In the meeting with Ms McCarthy, I expressed Bermuda's willingness to support the US on several climate action initiatives they have ongoing.

"We also discussed Bermuda's involvement in the White House Greening Government Initiative and the islands own greening initiatives.

"It was also the perfect opportunity to discuss how the US might assist Bermuda in the protection, observation, surveillance and management of our Exclusive Economic Zone.“

Mr Roban added Ms McCarthy was “keenly interested” in Bermuda and that had supported renewable energy and the Climate Risk Finance project.

He said: "Ms McCarthy expressed her commitment to looking into the matters raised to support Bermuda's efforts that are in line with the US Government's own climate action plans and objectives.“