Monitoring and Evaluation Instrument Training Workshop

The Monitoring and Evaluation Instrument (MEI) Training Workshop - The Implementation Plan to the Regional Framework for Achieving Development Resilient to Climate Change was held at the Civil Aviation Authority, Piarco during the period March 21-22, 2016.

The Workshop was facilitated by the Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre (CCCCC) in collaboration with the Multilateral Environmental Agreements Unit (MEAU) of the Ministry of Planning and Development. Ms. Heather Johnson of the CCCCC was the chief facilitator for the duration of the 2 day workshop. Attendees included officers from various Government Ministries and Agencies as well as NGOs (see pictures below).

 The Workshop comprised of:

• An open session: this set the stage for participants, providing them with a background and context as well as expected outcomes and areas to be covered over the duration of the Workshop. 
• Activity 1: this was facilitated by Ms. Johnson and dealt with validating the National Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Framework for Trinidad and Tobago. Therefore, participants had the opportunity to review the Framework developed. As part of the validation process, they were also able to revise, update or add/remove indicators as well as set/refine targets for all indicators developed. For all these, a baseline was sought, if possible.
• Activity 2: this began on Day 2 and its objective was to provide hands on training to stakeholders in using the M&E Instrument online tool. The training comprised of 2 modules "LimeSurvey" - a popular open source software to build online surveys and the "Report and Administrative Module" - a tool to design and build M&E reporting.  This helped participants get familiar with the online tool questionnaire and M&E reporting.
• Activity 3: this involved practical exercises using the tool and database including demonstration of the steps required for designing and building an online survey, mapping new indicators to the existing National M&E and compiling regional and national reports to be done.
• Activity 4: this was completed during the evening session of Day 2 and its objective was to guide national stakeholders on the effective application and management of the M&E Instrument. The session discussed the roles and responsibilities for implementation and management, in particular provided guidelines for National Climate Change Focal Points on how to complete their respective online surveys. Participants learned steps to expand and update the M&E Instrument taking into consideration changing contexts.

 

4th National CDM Workshop and MEA Sensitisation Session

The Fourth National Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) Workshop was held on November 27th, 2013 at Paria Suites Hotel and Conference Centre. This workshop sought to bring closure to the CDM Project. It was also done in conjunction with the  Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEA) Sensitisation Session which was focused on engendering an understanding of, and support for, the successful implementation for the MEAs to which  Trinidad and Tobago are signatory, through increasing stakeholder awareness of the Conventions and their organisations roles in implementation.

In addition, to conclude the CDM project activities, the findings of the Reports for the project “Mainstreaming Climate Change into National Development and Capacity Building for the participation in carbon markets” were presented to raise awareness among stakeholders and identify nexuses.All the participants from former workshops were invited, as well as other important stakeholders from the energy and fiduciary sectors. All of the major MEAs to which Trinidad and Tobago are signatory were highlighted and briefly explained.

Participants at the 4th CDM Workshop 

and MEA Sensitisation Session

The major nexus between these conventions and the roles that CDM and the participants play were also identified and  explained so that participants could understand the long term vision of the MEA focal point network database. Additionally, it was also highlighted the importance of their continued participation and cooperation to work with the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources in rolling out what was also pinpointed as national initiatives and the goal of the National Climate Change Policy.

A summary of the UNEP Gap Report 2013 was also provided and a short history of the CDM and the future of carbon markets were also explained. Due to increasing challenges in CDM such as the uncertainty in the market carbon process, and the complexity of the CDM process leading to low levels of CDM activities in the Caribbean Region, the UNFCCC Regional Collaborative Centre in Grenada was established amongst other regional centres.

This Centre was formed to further aid in the growth of potential CDM projects by providing technical support and other related expert services to expand the regions carbon market potential. Potential benefits and projects were highlighted to the  stakeholders to express the level of support that would be provided for future CDM projects.

Mr. Kishan Kumarsingh (Head,  MEAU) giving remarks

 at the 4th CDM Workshop and MEA Sensitisation Session

A presentation was made by Petrotrin explaining their CDM  project, and the process it took them to reach the stage of registration. They also explained the lessons learnt going through all the steps and the potential benefits to other organisations in partnering with them under their Programme of Activity (PoA). 

To close the workshop, the way forward and the next steps for Trinidad and Tobago were outlined by identifying the national initiatives and projects such as carbon and capture and storage, the mainstreaming of climate change into national development, and the elaboration of a strategy for reducing  carbon emissions.

 

 

MEA Focal Point Sensitisation Session

The Multilateral Environmental Agreements Unit (MEAU) of the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources hosted a one day Sensitisation and Capacity Building Session on September 19, 2012 at the Centre of Excellence, Macoya. The purpose of the session was to sensitize all stakeholders from ministries, Government agencies, academic institutions, industry and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) on the MEAs under its purview.

Cross-section of the sensitisation session

The event was well attended by over 100 Focal Points, who are persons nominated to represent relevant stakeholders from the various sectors. In the Ministry’s endeavour to build a comprehensive Focal Point Network, the initial stage of engagement at this session was focused on raising awareness, sensitising and informing the stakeholders of the current MEAs and its Projects which are currently overseen by the MEAU. The Session also emphasised the importance of each Focal Point’s role in the success of environmental management from a holistic view to fulfil Trinidad and Tobago’s mandates and responsibilities under the Conventions it is signatory. 

The session commenced with introductory remarks by the Minister of the Environment and Water Resources, Senator the Honourable Mr Ganga Singh and opening remarks by Head of the MEAU, Mr Kishan Kumarsingh, as well as the official launching of the MEA booklet for stakeholders. The day was then focused on an introduction to the various MEAs under the purview of the MEAU and several of the ongoing specialised projects which contribute toward the fulfilment of our national obligations. 

Senator the Honourable Minister of the Environment and Water Resources Mr Ganga Singh emphasises the importance of the focal point network and collaboration in achieving national results

Climate Change was first on the agenda with an introduction to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and its Kyoto Protocol, followed by a brief overview of two projects: Mainstreaming Climate Change into National Development and Capacity Building for Participation in Carbon Markets; and the Elaboration of a Strategy for the Reduction of Carbon Emissions in Trinidad and Tobago.

The National Ozone Unit also provided an overview on the Montreal Protocol and the projects currently being executed with its stakeholders. Subsequent to this, the Convention on Biodiversity (CBD) and its Cartagena Protocol and the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) were introduced, highlighting their national relevance and importance. Conventions that fall within the Waste and Chemicals cluster were also addressed, including the Basel, Rotterdam, and Stockholm Conventions. An outline of the national project entitled Initial Assistance to Enable Trinidad and Tobago to fulfil its Obligations under the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) was then presented, followed by the Basel Convention Regional Centre for Training and Technology Transfer for the Caribbean Region, providing information on their responsibility and mandates as a Regional Centre.

A focus group sharing their views on the role of the focal points during the thematic discussions

Proceedings were then focused on interaction and feedback from the participants, with a working session that highlighted the MEAs within the national context for Sustainable Development. The participants were then separated into constituencies along the respective Convention themes that seemed to be a best fit for their organisation, and were allowed to express their views on the day’s events, provide feedback on a previously distributed survey and discuss any matters arising out of the Sensitisation Session. 

Focal point from the Tobago House of Assembly airing her concerns during one of the question and answer sessions throughout the day

The event proved very useful and will be followed up with engagement opportunities for the Focal Points. Further to this, the MEAU continues to increase and improve on the Focal Point Database and examine different methods for continued communication and capacity building. This is to ensure the success of this network and information exchange to foster comprehensive national communication at the Conventions to which Trinidad and Tobago is a signatory.

Below are the presentations and information from the MEA Focal Point Sensitisation Session:

• MEAs Booklet
• Introduction to UNFCCC and Kyoto Protocol
• Project: Mainstreaming Climate Change into National Development and Capacity Building for Participation in Carbon Markets
• Project: Elaboration of a Strategy for the Reduction of Carbon Emissions in Trinidad and Tobago
• Introduction to the Montreal Protocol and the National Ozone Unit
• Introduction to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification
• Introduction to the Convention on Biological Diversity
• Introduction to the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions
• Project: Development of a National Implementation Plan for the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants
• Introduction to the Basel Convention Regional Centre for Training and Technology Transfer for the Caribbean
• MEAs and Sustainable Development
• MEA Questionnaire Feedback