https://www.gov.ky/sustainability/

Ministry of Environment & Sustainability, Government Administration Building, Box 140, George Town (2026)

01/12/2025

Government teams continued containment and monitoring efforts today following confirmed H5N1 in birds at a farm in West Bay. All poultry at the site have been removed, and the area is undergoing disinfection.

There are no confirmed human cases of avian flu in the Cayman Islands, and the risk to the public remains low.

Public Health advises the community to avoid touching sick or dead birds or animals, and to seek medical attention if symptoms develop two to fourteen days after possible exposure.

🔗 Read more: https://www.gov.ky/news/press-release-details/containment-efforts-continue-following-h5n1-avian-flu-detection

19/06/2025

Our environment. Your health. One mission.
We're now part of something bigger: the Ministry of Health, Environment and Sustainability.
Follow our new page for all the environmental stories you care about — plus how they link to your wellbeing, our economy, and our future.
Like and follow the Ministry of Health, Environment and Sustainability page today: https://www.facebook.com/mhescayman?mibextid=rS40aB7S9Ucbxw6v

12/06/2025

As part of her ongoing tour of departments under the new Ministry of Health, Environment and Sustainability, Hon. Minister Katherine Ebanks-Wilks visited the Poinciana Rehabilitation Centre in East End, Caribbean Haven Residential Centre, the Department of Counselling Services, the Department of Health Regulatory Services (DHRS), and the Health Services Authority (HSA). These visits offer the Minister and her leadership team valuable insight into the services, challenges and needs across the healthcare system, as the Minister works to determine priorities and policy decisions that will support stronger, more resilient health and wellness outcomes for the people of the Cayman Islands.

11/06/2025

The Honourable Katherine Ebanks-Wilks, Minister for Health, Environment and Sustainability, has reaffirmed Government’s commitment to addressing the growing volume of solid waste at the George Town Landfill, describing it as “an urgent national priority".

The Minister toured the landfill site on Thursday, 5 June, as part of her ongoing orientation across departments under her remit. The visit coincided with World Environment Day, which this year carries the theme “Beat Plastic Pollution”—a global call to reduce, reuse, and recycle single-use plastics. The theme aligns with the Ministry’s waste management strategy and its broader commitment to sustainability across the Cayman Islands.

Minister Katherine Ebanks-Wilks said: “Standing at the edge of the landfill today, it is painfully clear that this is not just an environmental problem—it’s an urgent national priority that affects our land, our health and our economy. The Cayman Islands needs a waste system that works, and I am fully committed to delivering one that is both affordable and built to last.”

The George Town Landfill has been in operation since the 1970s and now spans approximately 58 acres.

During the tour, Minister Ebanks-Wilks also issued a call to action, encouraging the public to take individual responsibility for reducing household waste:
“I’m challenging every household to recycle all Type 1 and Type 2 plastic items to reduce their garbage by just one bag per week,” she said. “This is one small change that each of us can make, and it will have a direct impact on the lifespan of the landfill. There are free recycling drop-off points in every district—so before your weekly grocery shop, take a moment to drop off your recyclables. These small everyday choices will make a big difference in the landfill capacity.”

To read the full press release, visit https://www.gov.ky/news/press-release-details/gt-landfill-an-urgent-priority

♻️

05/06/2025

World Environment Day is a time for countries around the world to raise awareness of the most urgent environmental challenges of our time. This year, the spotlight is on plastic pollution— a growing problem that we, in the Cayman Islands, are not immune to.

To mark World Environment Day, the Hon. Minister Katherine Ebanks-Wilks has shared a special message to remind us all to reduce, reuse and recycle.

Read the full message on our website: https://www.gov.ky/news/press-release-details/world-environment-day-message-from-minister-ebanks-wilks

Small choices add up. Let’s protect what makes Cayman, Cayman. 💚♻️

03/06/2025

Departmental Briefings Underway

Minister of Health, Environment and Sustainability, Hon. Katherine Ebanks-Wilks, continued her orientation with a full day of in-depth briefings from departments across the Ministry on Friday, 30 May, followed by department visits today, 2 June.

On Friday, Heads of Department delivered detailed presentations outlining their core functions, financial status, current projects, and the key challenges they face. These sessions are an important step in ensuring the Minister is fully informed and aligned with each department’s operations and priorities.

Department tours, which began today, will include visits to teams on all three islands. These tours will give the Minister the opportunity to meet staff in person and see first-hand the work being done across the Cayman Islands. These visits are a crucial part of understanding day-to-day operations and recognising the contributions of frontline teams.

“I want to thank all of our department leaders and their teams for their insight, preparation, and continued commitment to improving health outcomes, protecting our environment, and advancing sustainability across the Cayman Islands,” said Minister Ebanks-Wilks.

Chief Officer Tamara Ebanks added, “These briefings and visits reflect our Ministry’s dedication to open communication, strategic alignment, and a shared sense of purpose. We are proud of the work being done and look forward to building on this strong foundation with the Minister’s leadership.”

The departments and SAGCs under the Ministry of Health, Environment and Sustainability are: Department of Counselling Services, DoE Cayman, Department of Environmental Health, Department of Health Regulatory Services, Cayman Islands Mosquito Research and Control Unit (MRCU), Poinciana Rehabilitation Centre (PRC), Cayman Islands Health Services Authority (HSA) and the National Drug Council (NDC).

The Ministry looks forward to continued collaboration as it works to support the wellbeing of the people and environment of the Cayman Islands.

27/05/2025

Minister Begins Briefings with Leadership Team to Advance Health, Environment and Sustainability Agenda

Grand Cayman, 27 May 2025 – Hon. Katherine Ebanks-Wilks, Minister of Health, Environment and Sustainability, began formal briefings with her leadership team last week, as the newly established Ministry moves decisively to deliver on national priorities and enhance the wellbeing of Caymanians and the Islands.
The Ministry brings together three essential and interconnected areas—health, environment, and sustainability—into a single, strategic portfolio. This integration reflects Government’s recognition that lasting improvements in public health depend not only on access to care, but also on the quality of our natural environment and the long-term resilience of our communities.
In her first official meeting with the entire senior leadership team, Minister Ebanks-Wilks was joined by Parliamentary Secretary Hon. Wayne Panton. Together, they were briefed on key programmes, legislative priorities, and opportunities for immediate and measurable impact.
“We are getting down to work,” said Minister Ebanks-Wilks. “The wellbeing of our people and the health of our environment go hand in hand. From ensuring access to quality healthcare to protecting our natural resources and planning for a sustainable future, this Ministry is about improving life today while safeguarding the Cayman Islands for generations to come.”

The full press release can be read here: https://www.gov.ky/news/press-release-details/minister-begins-briefings-with-leadership-team-to-advance-health,-environment-and-sustainability-agenda

27/05/2025

The Ministry of Health, Environment & Sustainability has announced the appointment of nine new members to the National Conservation Council (NCC) as confirmed by Cabinet on Thursday 15 May.

The membership of the Council consists of 13 voting members, of which four are ex-officio statutory members, representing the Government Departments of Agriculture, Environment and Planning. The Department of Environment also provides a non-voting secretary to support the Council. There are eight voting members appointed by the Cabinet, of which at least four must have relevant scientific or technical expertise and at least one person shall be from each of the following districts: West Bay, George Town, Cayman Brac and Little Cayman, Bodden Town, North Side, and East End. Additionally, the National Trust for the Cayman Islands nominates a member who is appointed by the Cabinet.

Hon. Katherine Ebanks-Wilks, Minister for Health, Environment & Sustainability, on behalf of Cabinet, thanked the outgoing Council members for their service and welcomed the new members: “I want to express my gratitude to the outgoing members of the National Conservation Council and welcome the new appointees. This Council plays an important role in protecting our environment and natural resources for the benefit of current and future generations. The updates to the Council demonstrate the Government’s commitment to good governance and balanced decision-making that prioritises national wellbeing and sustainability for all Caymanians."

To view the full press release, visit https://www.gov.ky/news/press-release-details/cabinet-appoints-new-members-to-the-ncc

15/05/2025

The Ministry of Health, Environment & Sustainability (MHES) is proud to announce that its residential and public sector building energy efficiency programme has been named Best Energy Efficiency Project by the Caribbean Renewable Energy Forum (CREF) at its recent conference in Miami.

This exciting programme, funded by a RESEMBID grant, focused on reducing energy consumption and improving efficiency in National Housing Development Trust homes and public sector infrastructure.

Read the full press release here: https://www.gov.ky/news/press-release-details/cayman-islands-wins-best-energy-efficiency-project-award

05/05/2025

If you have ever experienced the panic of trying to flush your toilet and seeing the water rise instead of going down, you know how important having a functioning sewerage system or septic tank is to our health. Climate change will impact almost every aspect of life in our islands – including our wastewater systems.

Changes in hurricane frequency and severity, along with continued sea level rise, pose a risk to wastewater treatment infrastructure, and in turn to public health and the environment. This is due to storm surge damage and surface water flooding from high rainfall events.

To ensure our wastewater infrastructure is resilient to climate change, the draft Cayman Islands Climate Change Policy proposes strategies to enhance the capacity and functionality of critical infrastructure and networks to withstand extreme weather events.

If having a working toilet is important to you, please help us spread the word about the climate change risks facing our islands. Learn more at: www.gov.ky/sustainability/climatechangepolicy

Ministry of Environment & Sustainability

01/12/2025

19/06/2025

12/06/2025

11/06/2025

05/06/2025

03/06/2025

27/05/2025

27/05/2025

15/05/2025

05/05/2025

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