Max Puig urges stronger territorial planning to address climate displacement
Santo Domingo.- Territorial planning, disaster risk management, climate adaptation and infrastructure development must be integrated into decision-making to strengthen the Dominican Republic’s resilience to climate change and environmental threats, experts said.
The statement was made by Max Puig, executive vice president of the National Council for Climate Change and Carbon Market (CNCCMC), during a panel held to present the results and close the project “Territorial Planning and Comprehensive Risk Management to Increase Resilience to Disaster Mobility, Environmental Degradation and Climate Change in the Dominican Republic.”
Puig emphasized the importance of making climate and risk information available at the local level and converting scientific data into practical tools for territorial decisions. He highlighted the need to combine meteorological, territorial and satellite data with early warning systems.
Alba Goycoechea, head of mission of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in the Dominican Republic, said the initiative helped strengthen collaboration around the links between climate change, human mobility and territorial planning. She stressed the importance of maintaining the partnerships and results achieved to promote safer and more resilient communities.
Meanwhile, Deputy Minister of Territorial Planning Domingo Matías said the country is increasingly using scientific information to guide territorial planning. He noted that studies of municipal socioeconomic dynamics are being developed to track changes in population, economic activity and livelihoods.
Matías also highlighted the Municipal Climate Change Vulnerability Index, which identifies differences in municipalities’ exposure, sensitivity and capacity to adapt to climate impacts.
The project strengthened the capacities of government institutions, local authorities and communities through contingency plans, territorial planning tools and risk-management initiatives in Miches, Puerto Plata and María Trinidad Sánchez.
