The Cayman Islands Chamber of Commerce marked a significant milestone on Thursday, 7 May, by hosting its inaugural Environmental and Sustainability Luncheon and Showcase at the Grand Cayman Marriott Resort. The event brought together business leaders, public‑sector representatives, environmental organisations and community advocates to explore how environmental stewardship and sustainability are increasingly central to Cayman’s economic resilience and long‑term prosperity.
The luncheon forms part of the Chamber’s broader, long‑standing commitment to environmental action, building on the momentum of its Annual Earth Day Cleanup, held this year on Saturday, 18 April. The cleanup mobilised more than 3,500 volunteers from Chamber member businesses, schools, service clubs, non‑profit organisations and community groups, collectively removing large volumes of litter from roadsides, beaches and public spaces across all three Islands.
Established as a new platform for collaboration and dialogue, the Environmental and Sustainability Luncheon showcased organisations actively engaged in environmental protection, conservation, restoration, enforcement and sustainability initiatives across the Islands, while encouraging stronger connections between the business community and those working on the front lines of environmental stewardship.
Opening the luncheon, Chamber President Cristina Spratt emphasised that sustainability is not a peripheral issue, but one that sits at the core of the Chamber’s advocacy priorities.
“Sustainability sits at the intersection of our three advocacy pillars — building a future‑ready workforce, sustaining economic success and advancing quality of life,” Ms Spratt said. “A healthy environment underpins a strong economy. It supports tourism, protects livelihoods, and ensures that future generations can continue to thrive in a place we are proud to call home.”
She noted that Cayman’s marine and terrestrial environments are not only ecological assets, but economic drivers and vital parts of the country’s national identity. Ms Spratt pointed to recent Government actions — including the designation of new protected areas across all three Islands and the acquisition of environmentally sensitive land — as positive examples of long‑term environmental stewardship deserving of recognition.
Drawing on her own experience volunteering for more than a decade with Blue Iguana Conservation, Ms Spratt described the recovery of the endangered Blue Iguana as proof that conservation efforts can succeed when backed by collaboration, science and sustained commitment. The story, she said, is a reminder that sustainability is about protecting both Cayman’s natural landscapes and the living systems that define the Islands.
While acknowledging meaningful progress, Ms Spratt stressed that sustainability requires continued partnership between Government, business and civil society, and a balanced approach to development that safeguards quality of life for decades to come.
Serving as Master of Ceremonies, Chamber Chief Executive Officer Wil Pineau welcomed guests and highlighted the Chamber’s long‑standing environmental initiatives, including the Earth Day Cleanup and Cayman Clean, which for more than two decades have mobilised thousands of volunteers and removed tens of thousands of bags of litter from Cayman’s roadsides, beaches and communities.
The Chamber also extended sincere thanks to the sponsors whose support made the Annual Earth Day Cleanup and the Environmental and Sustainability Luncheon possible. The Major Sponsor, the Ministry of Health, Environment & Sustainability, was recognised for its leadership and partnership in advancing environmental stewardship. Event Sponsors CSC, Dart, Health City Cayman and Cayman National Corporation were thanked for their support, alongside Promotional Sponsor Total Health.
Special recognition was given to the many T‑shirt and tote sponsors whose contributions helped equip thousands of volunteers with essential supplies, including tote bags, trash bags, gloves and branded T‑shirts. These included KPMG, Island Heritage, Baptist Health, Creative Tech Ltd., Island Waste Carriers Ltd., Caribbean Alliance Insurance Company Ltd., Marsh Management Services Cayman Ltd., Water Authority – Cayman, PROVEN Bank (Cayman) Limited, Waystone, Pestkil Ltd., Cayman Cost‑U‑Less, Cayman Turtle Conservation and Education Centre Ltd., Brava by Logic, RBC Royal Bank (Cayman) Limited, Caribbean Utilities Company, Ltd., Carey Olsen, Consolidated Water Company Ltd., CG BritCay, Rotary Central, Rawlinson & Hunter, Mourant and Foster’s Supermarket. Their contributions were described as instrumental to the success of the cleanup and a strong demonstration of corporate social responsibility in action.
Chamber President Spratt formally introduced the keynote speaker, Hon. Katherine Ebanks‑Wilks, Minister for Health, Environment and Sustainability, who challenged attendees to think differently about resilience and long‑term planning.
“Sustainability and resilience are no longer peripheral issues,” Minister Ebanks‑Wilks said. “They are central to how we think about economic sustainability, investment and the long‑term future of the Cayman Islands.”
She stressed that these considerations are not abstract policy discussions, but issues that directly affect households, businesses and national stability. “We are talking about whether families can afford to power their homes, whether businesses can operate with certainty, whether our infrastructure can withstand pressure, and whether future generations will inherit a Cayman that is stable, liveable and economically strong,” she said.
Minister Ebanks‑Wilks highlighted the interconnected nature of health, environment and sustainability, noting that resilience encompasses environmental, economic, social and fiscal dimensions. She outlined the Government’s shift toward long‑term resilience planning, including the development of the Cayman Islands Resilience Index (CIRI) under the Climate Change Policy 2024–2050, alongside actions on waste management, energy security, protected areas and single‑use plastics.
The luncheon concluded with a question‑and‑answer session, allowing attendees to engage directly with the Minister on issues such as enforcement, planning decisions and environmental protection.
The Chamber described the inaugural Environmental and Sustainability Luncheon as the beginning of an ongoing conversation — one focused on resilience, partnership and ensuring that Cayman’s natural environment remains a foundation of its economic strength and quality of life for generations to come.