Wednesday 29 February 2012

Training Sessions on Ozone Depleting Substances and Servicing Practices for the Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Sector

The National Ozone Unit within the EPPD, recently embarked on the distribution of 16 HCFC recovery units and tanks to technicians and service companies in the Air Condition and Refrigeration Industry as well as, to schools that teach this discipline.

Two of these schools agreed to host one-day training sessions to ensure that the recovery units are used in a safe and responsible manner and that Ozone Depleting HCFC Gases are not vented into the atmosphere.  Lectures were given by the National Ozone Unit to kick-off the training sessions, on Ozone Depleting Substances and the importance of appropriate practices in servicing Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Equipment and the protection of the Ozone Layer.

Locations:  National Energy Skills Centre (NESC), Point Lisas – January 24, 2012 and School Of Air Conditioning and Refrigeration, Palmiste – February 2, 2012
Facilitator:  Mr Vernon Ramjattan
Lecture:  Ozone Depleting Substances and the importance of proper practices in servicing refrigeration and Air Conditioning Equipment to protect the Ozone Layer – Dr Marissa Gowrie (Deputy Environmental Manager/National Ozone Officer).
Purpose:  Training on the safe and responsible use of the recovery machines distributed to ensure that no ozone depleting refrigerant gases are vented into the atmosphere.

Dr Marissa Gowrie (National Ozone Unit Officer) and Technicians next to a recovery training model (including HCFC recovery Unit and tank) at the School Of Air Conditioning and Refrigeration, Palmiste.

Dr Gowrie lecturing at the NESC, Pt. Lisas. 

Tuesday 14 February 2012

18th Meeting of the Forum of Ministers of the Environment of Latin America and the Caribbean

Tuesday 31st January - Friday 3rd February, 2012
The Forum of Ministers of the Environment of Latin America and the Caribbean was established by the Governing Council of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and is the principal regional forum for Latin America and the Caribbean in the field of the environment. 

The Forum provides an opportunity for regional dialogue on items on the global environmental agenda and to strengthen cooperation in environmental management among countries of the region. The 18th Meeting of the Forum (FME18) took place in Ecuador from January 31 to February 3, 2012. Trinidad and Tobago was represented by the following delegation:
  • Mr Antony Ramnarine, Deputy Permanent Secretary (Ag), Ministry of Housing and the Environment (Head of Delegation)
  • Mr Asgar Ali, Advisor to the Minister of Housing and the Environment
  • Dr David Persaud, Environmental Manager, EPPD, Ministry of Housing and the Environment
  • Mr Kishan Kumarsingh, Head, MEAU, Ministry of Housing and Environment 
In addition to the FME18, delegates took the opportunity of the presence of Ministers of Environment from across the region to convene the First Meeting of the Environment Ministers of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) which agreed to form a working group to define a regional environment strategy.

The Forum adopted a high-level Political Statement – “the Quito Declaration” and 10 decisions related to governance; sustainable consumption and production; environmental indicators; a regional financial strategy; air pollution; chemicals, and hazardous and other wastes; landlocked countries; Small Island Developing States (SIDS); environmental education; and the Central American and Caribbean countries. 



Deputy Permanent Secretary Anthony Ramnarine (Ag) and Head of the MEAU, Kishan Kumarsingh at the FME18.
Preparatory Meeting of High-Level experts -
Part of the Trinidad and Tobago delegation situated at centre: Dr David Persaud (L) and Mr Kishan Kumarsingh (R)