Judgement Day
Grenada Land Actors' Legal Fight for Sustainable Development: Defending Grenada’s Environmental Future
Over the past decade, our island has become a prime target for foreign investors eyeing its natural beauty as a blank canvas for sprawling resort & marina projects. While development can offer significant benefits to local economies, it often comes with a high price when environmental and community concerns are overlooked. This is where we’ve stepped in as advocates for Grenada as a voice for our voiceless island.
Grenada Land Actors mounted a legal challenge against the Planning and Development Authority of Grenada, that initially spotlighted three major resort developments that have raised alarm among environmental advocates:
1. Levera in St. Patrick’s
2. Mt. Hartman in St. George’s
3. La Sagesse in St. David’s
These developments are seen as the manifestations of a troubling trend across the Caribbean—land grabbing for large-scale projects that threaten both the environment and local communities. At the heart of this legal challenge are several critical issues including inadequate environmental impact assessments (EIAs); lack of proper public consultation; and the withholding of vital information that should have been made available to the public as required by law.
Artist rendition of Mt. Hartman development. It is important to note that where you see 'development' large portions of land and natural habitats had to be cut away. Water treatment and waste disposal would put a drain on existing infrastructure, not to mention the physical structure itself and it's detrimental effect on the land it stands on.
Environmental Impact: Fragile Ecosystems at Risk
Grenada’s natural habitats are a delicate balance of biodiversity, providing homes for unique wildlife and acting as critical defenses against the climate crisis. Unfortunately, the resort projects in question—like many in the Caribbean—are often built in ecologically sensitive areas, putting endangered species and critical ecosystems at risk.
The projects in Levera, Mt. Hartman, and La Sagesse threaten Grenada’s coastal wetlands, marine ecosystems, and inland forests. These areas not only support the island’s biodiversity but also serve as buffers against extreme weather events such as hurricanes and rising sea levels, which are becoming increasingly common due to climate change. In the face of such challenges, responsible stewardship of land is more important than ever. The resort developments, with inadequate EIAs, have failed to account for the long-term environmental damage they may cause, from habitat destruction to water contamination and land erosion. La Sagesse has since been completed–at the cost of an irreplaceable birding site and natural habitat that was called a ‘jewel of the Caribbean’. The resort, still poses threats to local water supply and water quality.
The Role of Citizens in Environmental Advocacy
This case is about more than just protecting a few plots of land; it’s about ensuring that the people of Grenada have a say in how their island develops. One of the main contentions of Grenada Land Actors is the lack of public consultation in the planning process. Local residents, environmentalists, and other stakeholders were not given the opportunity to voice their concerns or provide input, as is actually required by Grenadian law. This is a fundamental breach of democratic processes that every Grenadian has the right to expect. It is a slippery slope and a frightening harbinger of things to come if such huge decisions about our home environment are left to a few to make, cloaked in darkness and without the awareness of Grenadian citizens. So who is given a seat at the table? Non-Grenadian, unconcerned foreign investors who live safely and securely in their own homes thousands of miles away, unaffected by the damage of their resorts. A group that grows wealthy off the spoils of these on-island resorts, while Grenada and the local economies suffer.
Early damage to La Sagesse Beach that went on to be completed. Drastic changes to the environment as seen here will have a lasting and irreparable affect on local fisheries, wildlife and water quality and supply.
“Citizens across the Caribbean are increasingly stepping up as defenders of the environment. As climate change continues to exacerbate the region’s vulnerability to natural disasters, community-led initiatives have become pivotal in advocating for sustainable practices that align with the Caribbean’s unique needs. Grenada Land Actors’ fight represents a broader movement across the region—a fight for transparency, accountability, and an environmental future that prioritizes sustainability over short-term profits”
What the Grenada Land Actors Are Asking For
The Grenada Land Actors Inc. are not calling for an outright halt to development but rather for development to be done responsibly. In their legal challenge, they are asking for:
The cancellation of planning approvals for the resort developments until proper environmental assessments and public consultations are conducted.
A mandate for the Planning Authority to maintain a public register with all necessary information about planning applications, ensuring transparency.
Stronger regulations around how EIAs should be conducted and how public consultations must take place before any development projects are approved.
Photo: Outlook Travel Mag
What Success Would Mean for Grenada’s Future
A victory for Grenada Land Actors in this case could set a powerful precedent, not just for Grenada but for the entire Caribbean. If successful, the following outcomes could reshape the island’s development landscape:
Pause on resort developments: The projects would be stopped until thorough environmental assessments and public consultations are properly completed, ensuring that decisions are made in the best interest of both the environment and the local population.
Greater transparency: The Planning Authority would be required to make information on development projects more readily accessible, allowing citizens to be fully informed and involved in decisions that impact their communities.
Clearer rules for environmental assessments: Stronger regulations would provide a framework for how EIAs should be carried out and how public participation must be integrated into the planning process, ensuring that the voices of Grenadians are heard and respected.
Why Sustainable Development Matters Now More Than Ever
As climate change continues to wreak havoc across the globe, small island nations like Grenada are on the front lines. Rising sea levels, more frequent hurricanes, and changing weather patterns all threaten the livelihoods of the Caribbean’s people. In such a fragile environment, it is essential that development projects not only respect local ecosystems but also actively contribute to long-term climate resilience.
Sustainable development is the only path forward if Grenada is to protect its rich natural heritage for future generations. Grenada Land Actors’ legal challenge is a critical step in ensuring that Grenada’s development aligns with the principles of sustainability, transparency, and public involvement. By standing up against reckless development, they are safeguarding the island’s environment, its people, and its future.
A Call to Action
This legal challenge is more than just a court case; it’s a rallying cry for the people of Grenada and the Caribbean at large. It’s a call to demand more from governments and developers, to insist that the environment be treated as a partner in progress, not an obstacle to overcome. Grenada Land Actors show that we, as citizens, can and should have a say in how our islands evolve. Our fight is a reminder that development and sustainability can—and must—go hand in hand.
Our heritage and culture are under threat because those things are tethered to the land they thrive on. Our history and future rely on the success of our voices being heard.
In the end, protecting Grenada’s natural beauty isn’t just about saving its forests or beaches; it’s about preserving the heart and soul of the island itself.
