Twenty Fifth Conference of Parties of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change- Madrid

The Twenty Fifth Conference of Parties of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) convened in Madrid, Spain during the period November 27 to December 15, 2019 under the theme of “The Time to Act- now.” The other Governing Bodies and Constituted Bodies also met during this period. Trinidad and Tobago was represented at the meetings by Mr. Ric Ali, Deputy Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Planning and Development, Mr. Kishan Kumarsingh, Head, Multilateral Environmental Agreements Unit, Ministry of Planning and Development, Ms. Sindy Singh, Climate Change Specialist, Ministry of Planning and Development, Ms. Crystal Lawrence, Tobago House of Assembly and Ms. Kristin Qui. 

 Some key issues on the Agenda of these meetings included the review of the Warsaw International Mechanism on Loss and Damage, Article 6 negotiations for markets and non-market mechanisms, and gender and climate change. The Conference resulted in the Chile Madrid Time for Action suite of decisions. Parties were unable to reach consensus on key issues related to Article 6 and further deliberations are expected at the next session. 

More information regarding this event will be shared subsequently. 

#MinistryofPlanningandDevelopment #EnvironmentalPolicyandPlanningDivision #EPPD #EnvironmentalPrideIsNationalPride 

Official Handover of Enforcement Officer Resources

On Wednesday December 11^th, 2019 the Food and Agriculture Organisation Food of the United Nations (FAO/UN) held the official handover of Enforcement Officer Resources stemming from the Improving Forests and Protected Areas Management (IFPAM) Project. 

The handover represents the results of the ongoing efforts of the IFPAM project, in particular three (3) workshops held under the auspices of the Environmental Management Authority (EMA) in collaboration with the FAO/UN between June and August of 2018 at Port-of-Spain, San Fernando and Tobago.  The theme of those workshops was “Boosting our frontline: Improving enforcement of laws for environmental management.”

The objectives of the workshops, were to:

• Improve knowledge of the impacts of deleterious actions on the health of ecosystems and livelihoods
• Build and strengthen networks to enable improved collaboration among governmental organisations.
• Improve knowledge of the Environmental Management Act 2000 Ch. 35:05 and rules; the Forest Act Ch. 66:01; the Conservation of Wildlife Act Ch. 67:01 and other relevant laws, in particular the State Lands Act Ch.57:01 and The Town and Country Planning Act Ch.35:01.

As part of this initiative, three (3) tangible outputs were created;  

1. An enforcement officer’s guidebook, which lists some of the most applicable legislation, additionally, the guide explains at a basic level the methodology for coordinating among the various enforcement agencies and the fundamentals for laying charges under current legislation.
2. Standard Operating Procedures have been developed which include photographs of all the species to afford easy identification as well as a list of contacts of the relevant regulatory authorities.
3. Along with a wallet sized, weatherproofed guide which outlines the ten basic steps for carrying out an investigation. 

Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Planning and Development, Ms. Melanie Noel addressing the audience

Mr. Steve Lalbeharry, Regional Coordinator, Emergency Response & Investigations, EMA Describing the Enforcement Materials

Representatives of Different Agencies with Copies of their Enforcement Materials

Major Highlights of the Socio-Economic Survey of Communities Near Protected Areas in Trinidad and Tobago

On Tuesday December 10^th, 2019 the Central Statistical Office (CSO) in conjunction with the Food and Agriculture Organisation Food of the United Nations (FAO/UN) held a launch of the major highlights of the Socio-Economic Survey of the communities near to the six (6) pilot protected areas (PPAs) under the project. These PPAs are the Main Ridge Forest Reserve in Tobago, the proposed North-East Tobago Marine Protected Area, Matura Forest and coastal zone, Trinity Hills and eastern extension, Nariva Swamp and coastal zone and Caroni Swamp.

The socio-economic assessment is part of the FAO-GEF Project “Improving Forest and Protected Areas Management in Trinidad and Tobago” and sought to examine the interactions between the PPAs and the members of communities who live in and around six pilot PPAs.  The study conducted in September and October 2019, by the CSO, assessed the overall awareness of persons living within close proximity to these pilot protected areas regarding their designation, and measured the impact of these areas on the livelihoods and well-being on nearby residents and the wider community. Aspects examined included socio-economic attributes, reliance on protected areas for various needs, and opportunities for sustaining and enhancing income opportunities through ecosystem services provided by these areas. Earlier in the project, an Information Needs Assessment was conducted to identify available information to contribute to the conduct of the socioeconomic assessment, to propose a methodology for data gathering and evaluation and prepare a detailed work plan for the implementation of the assessment.

The event featured addresses by the Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Planning and Development, Ms. Melanie Noel; FAO Representative for Trinidad and Tobago and Suriname Mr Reuben Robertson, Director of the CSO Mr Sean O'Brien and Mrs. Rebecaa Gookool-Bosland, Senior Economist,  of the Technical Backstopping Team.

Members of the Head Table (L-R) Mr. Reuben Robertson, Mr. Sean O’Brian,  Ms. Melanie Noel and Mrs. Rebecaa Gookool-Bosland

Mr. Sean O’Brian, Director, Trinidad and Tobago Central Statistical Office

Mrs. Rebecaa Gookool-Bosland, Senior Economist, Technical Backstopping Team

New signage installed at protected areas

Main Sign located at Salybia-Matura Trace, Salybia Village

November 13th 2019 marked a significant day in the "Improving Forest and Protected Area Management in Trinidad and Tobago" project, with the unveiling of new signage at a protected area.  The Matura National Park Environmentally Sensitive Area (ESA) was the first of five pilot protected areas of focus in the project to be bestowed with these simple yet significant features, which are intended to aid in building awareness and valuing of protected areas.

Educational sign located at Orosco Road, Matura Village

The ceremony to unveil these signs took place at a main entryway to the ESA, at the corner of the Salybia-Matura Trace and Toco Main Road in the village of Salybia.  Senator the Hon. Clarence Rambharat, Minister of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries and Mr. Reuben Robertson, Representative of the Food and Agriculture Organization for Trinidad and Tobago and Suriname took part in the unveiling ceremony after addressing a small gathering of about 60 persons; several members of the surrounding community were present at the ceremony.

Boundary sign located at Salybia

A total of 30 signs will be mounted around the ESA, with some of these located within the communities that surround the site.  In 2016, a survey of persons living in these communities revealed that persons who lived outside the village of Matura had little or no connection with the Park that has "Matura" in its name.  As a result of this, stakeholders on the Project Subcommittee associated with the site decided that apart from boundary-demarcating signs, information signs that highlight key assets of the Park should be mounted in neighbouring communities, headlined with the words "In Your Neighbourhood" to stimulate a closer connection with the protected area.

Similar signage exercises are expected to take place around four more protected areas in the coming months with the intent of building interest, knowledge and appreciation of the value of these sites.

KAP surveys soon to get underway

In 2016-2017, the Improving Forest and Protected Area Management in Trinidad and Tobago project undertook a series of Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices surveys in communities surrounding six protected areas of the project's focus.  The data gathered in these surveys, supplied information about people's knowledge and interaction or lack therefore with these protected areas, and advised communication plans for the six sites.

Now, towards the end of this four-year project, these surveys are being repeated, to determine whether areas of positive feedback are sustained and if areas of lack of awareness or knowledge have improved.  The surveys are preceded by training/re-training of enumerators in a series of training workshops, the first of which took place in the village of Plum Mitan today. 

Surveys will begin in communities surrounding the Nariva Swamp, Trinity Hills Wildlife Sanctuary and Tobago's NE marine area and Main Ridge Forest Reserve next week.

Surveys in communities surrounding Caroni Swamp and Matura National Park will begin on 25 November 2019.