An ILA Leadership Perspectives Webinar

The Energy Justice Challenge: Leadership Lessons From the Frontlines of the Caribbean Energy Transition

The Energy Justice Challenge: Leadership Lessons from the Frontlines of the Caribbean Energy Transition Monday, 29 June 5PM EDT. With Charlin Bodley and Pauline Elwin (Moderator)

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With Ms. Charlin Bodley and Dr. Pauline Elwin (Moderator)

Cost: Free to all. Sponsored by Global Voices, an initiative of ILA’s Leadership Development Member Community. 

  • 29 June 2026, 5:00 PM EDT (UTC-4)
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On the frontlines of climate change, Small Island Developing States (SIDS) face the most severe climate impacts, while contributing the least to global greenhouse gas emissions. Yet, their longstanding heavy dependence on fossil fuels persists against the backdrop of energy insecurity and climate vulnerability.

Drawing on leadership experiences across energy transition initiatives in the Caribbean and the Global South, this presentation examines the intersection of energy justice and climate justice through a leadership lens. It explores how leaders navigate complex trade-offs between the dimensions of the energy trilemma—reliability, affordability, and sustainability—while advancing ambitious clean energy goals in small island economies.

SIDS face unique challenges in pursuing a just energy transition. In particular, their electricity systems are characterized by small and isolated grids, heightened exposure to climate-related disasters, aging infrastructure and diseconomies of scale. Despite being endowed with abundant renewable energy resources, SIDS often lack the financial and institutional capacity to mobilize the substantial investments in grid modernization, energy storage, digitization and climate-resilient infrastructure needed to seize the transition opportunities presented by renewables.

Many SIDS are among the most indebted nations in the world, limiting their ability to finance the infrastructure needed to achieve ambitious energy and climate goals. Access to affordable capital remains a persistent challenge, with projects frequently facing higher financing costs, limited access to concessional funding, and elevated perceptions of risk among investors. The session will highlight lessons from the Caribbean’s energy transition journey and explore how leadership, innovative financing, and international partnerships can help address structural inequities that continue to shape energy transition outcomes in SIDS.

Charlin Bodley
Ms. Charlin Bodley brings over 15 years of experience in energy policy, project management, and sustainable development. Most recently, she served as Associate Director of the Energy Innovation Portfolio at the Bezos Earth Fund, where she provided strategic and technical leadership for global clean energy initiatives. Prior to that, she served as Manager within the Global Energy Transition Academy at the Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI), supporting the development of capacity-building programmes for utility professionals, policymakers, and energy leaders across the Global South.
 
Earlier in her career, Charlin served as an Energy Officer with the Government of Saint Lucia, managing renewable energy projects, advising on policy, and leading national consultations on geothermal energy. She has also served as Programme Manager for the Caribbean Chapter of the Women in Renewable Energy (WIRE) Network. Her consistent focus on inclusive energy transition has earned her recognition as a thought leader, keynote speaker, and advocate for gender equity in the energy sector.
 
Charlin holds a BSc in Environmental Engineering, a Master’s degree in Energy Engineering and Environmental Management, and a postgraduate qualification in Geothermal Energy Project Management and Financing. She is also a certified Project Management  Professional (PMP) and IPMA Level C Project Manager, with a strong track record in delivering complex, multi-stakeholder, donor-funded projects on schedule and within budget. Charlin currently serves as Chief Technical Advisor at the Caribbean Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (CCREEE), where she leads the SKN-100 project supporting the decarbonization of the energy sector in St. Kitts and Nevis. She also serves as Caribbean Focal Point for the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA).
Dr. Pauline Elwin is a transformational leadership champion, organizational strategist and Founder of Elwin Innovative Global Consulting with 15+ years driving change across corporate, nonprofit, and government sectors. Born in Dominica, she brings Caribbean resilience and community-centered values to every engagement. Known for her authenticity, research-based insights, and dynamic presence, Dr. Elwin delivers high-impact coaching, workshops, and presentations that inspire action and elevate performance. Her research focuses on transformational leadership, employee engagement, intentional leadership for sustainable impact, and women in leadership. She holds an EdD and MA from Northwest University, an MA from Brooklyn College (CUNY), and BA from John Jay College of Criminal Justice (CUNY) with distinction.
28th ILA Global Conference. 28-31 October, Toronto, Canada.