Unlocking Jamaica’s Clean-Tech Potential: A Call to Action
At a recent panel discussion hosted by the Scientific Research Council, Carlington Burrell, the chief executive officer of the Caribbean Climate Innovation Centre (CCIC), raised an urgent issue: Jamaica is sitting on a goldmine of clean technologies, yet many of these innovations are gathering dust instead of being put to use. The event, titled "Weathering the Future: Science, Food Security, and Smart Infrastructure for a Resilient Jamaica," took place at the Jamaica Pegasus hotel in Kingston on November 27, 2025.
Burrell pointed out a troubling trend: promising patents developed by PhD students at institutions like The University of the West Indies (UWI) and the University of Technology (UTech) often remain uncommercialized. “Once these research papers are published, students move on with their lives,” he explained. “What we want to see is these innovators take their patents and actually commercialize them.”
The Brown Economy Dilemma
During the discussions, Burrell highlighted that many universities are producing what he calls “brown economy” innovations—solutions in water management, agri-tech, and climate resilience that could benefit entire communities. However, once students complete their theses, these valuable patents often go unused.
To bridge this gap, Burrell emphasized the role of technology commercialization sub-offices (TCSOs) established by the Development Bank of Jamaica (DBJ). These offices, located at the Scientific Research Council, UWI, and UTech, aim to help innovators transition from research to market. “We encourage people to reach out to us,” Burrell urged. “Whether you’re at the idea stage or already commercialized, we can help you scale into new markets.”
Support for Entrepreneurs
Burrell acknowledged the challenges faced by students and innovators, particularly when it comes to financing. He encouraged them to partner with organizations that can help develop their patents further. The CCIC offers direct support, financing, and technical guidance to entrepreneurs at all stages. “We walk these entrepreneurs through different business models,” he said, ensuring they have the tools they need to succeed.
However, he also cautioned that the commercialization process can be tedious. Innovators should start early by refining their concepts and identifying the specific problems their ideas aim to solve. The CCIC is currently collaborating with the Sygnus Group to identify bankable entrepreneurs ready to scale their businesses. “There’s a US$5-million facility right now that entrepreneurs can tap into,” Burrell shared.
Recognizing Clean-Tech Opportunities
Interestingly, many innovators don’t realize their ideas fall within the clean-tech or climate-tech space. Burrell encourages them to reach out to the CCIC for guidance in identifying and strengthening the clean-tech elements of their products. Even solutions not initially designed as climate-tech can pivot into commercially viable offerings with the right support.
As the discussion wrapped up, the importance of collaboration and innovation in tackling Jamaica’s climate challenges became clear. With the right resources and partnerships, Jamaica could transform its research into real-world solutions that benefit communities across the island.
Are we ready to unlock this potential and turn our innovative ideas into action?