The National Ozone Unit (NOU) tasked with the implementation and roll out of the National Hydrofluorocarbon (HCFC) Phase-out Management Plan (HPMP) continued its efforts to support the refrigeration and air-conditioning (RAC) sector and the public to use alternatives and adopt ozone friendly practices. Over the period January - March, 2016, these activities included:  

•  Technology transfer: The NOU distributed hydrocarbon leak detectors to local air condition and refrigeration technicians. Hydrocarbon has been identified as a viable alternative to the ozone depleting refigerant; HCFCs in the RAC sector. 

•  Regulation of HCFCs: In accordance with the HPMP, quotas were given to eleven (11) local companies to import the R22, R123 refrigerants and their blends. By law, all imports of refrigerant and equipment containing refrigerant require a license from the Trade Licensing Unit of the Ministry of Trade and Industry.

• Training: The United Nations Environment Programme Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean (UNEP ROLAC) conducted a mission to Trinidad and Tobago. This mission was to facilitate a project which included a training session designed to encourage the use of alternatives to methyl bromide (MB) in this country, and to strengthen the capacity of the fumigation sector to use these alternatives.

• School Awareness Programme: the NOU in an effort to sensitise the public about the ozone layer, its depletion and current initiatives of the NOU as well as how to protect themselves against UV rays, participated in environmental events in schools specifically the Bishop Anstey High School and Trinity East High School's Sustainability Fair and the University of the West Indies (UWI) Primary School's Materials and Energy Conservation Day. In addition, the NOU conducted sensitisation sessions at ASJA Girls and Bishop Anstey High School, Port of Spain.

 

 

NOU Staff engage with students at the Bishop Anstey and Trinity East  Sustainability Fair 

Children of the UWI Primary School thoroughly engrossed in with the presentation by the NOU/EPPD staff.

Ms. Neera Singh,  Ozone Assistant, with students of ASJA Girls after  her presentation on ozone depletion.

For more information on the NOU's activities, visit nou-tt.blogspot.com.

EduFest 2015

In commemoration of Cancer Awareness Month on Tuesday 6th and Wednesday 7th October, 2015 the Cancer Society of  Trinidad and Tobago (TTCS)  and Republic Bank Limited hosted an educational fair entitled "EduFest" to educate children about cancer and how to lead healthy lifestyles. 

EduFest 2015 was held at the St. John Ambulance Association and Brigade of Trinidad and Tobago in Port-of-Spain. There were a number of secondary schools and primary schools from across the country in attendance. The young people had the opportunity to visit and interact with several booths highlighting various types of cancers and ways they can protect themselves.

Every year the National Ozone Unit (NOU) of the Ministry of Planning and Development participates in the EduFest to educate students on the destruction of the ozone layer through releasing ozone depleting chemicals into the atmosphere and its direct link to increased incidences of skin cancer. 

This year was no exception with the NOU being represented by Ms. Neera Singh (Ozone Assistant) and Mr. Javed Lakhan and Ms. Anastasia Gordon, Environmental Analysts, Environmental Policy and Planning Division of the Ministry.

R-L: Ms. Gordon and Mr. Lakhan interacting with a group of  primary school children on October  6th, 2015.

L-R: Ms. Singh, Mr. Lakhan, Ms. Sherma Mills Serette (TTCS Representative) and Ms. Gordon at the end the second day of EduFest 2015.

Meeting of the English Speaking Caribbean and Haiti Ozone Officers

The United Nations Environment Programme Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean (UNEP ROLAC) along with the Government of St. Kitts and Nevis hosted the Meeting of the English Speaking Caribbean Ozone Officers held during the period March 18-21, 2013 in Basseterre, St. Kitts.

Trinidad and Tobago was represented by Dr. Marissa Gowrie; the National Ozone Officer and Ms. Neera Singh, Ozone Assistant both from the National Ozone Unit (NOU); Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources. Representatives from the UNEP OzonAction ROLAC and Paris Office, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and national stakeholders from St. Kitts and Nevis were also present.

The meeting focused on:

• Major decisions coming of the 24th Meeting of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol and the Compliance Status of the Montreal Protocol in the Caribbean Network 
• Major issues addressed in the 23rd Meeting of the Open Ended Working Group of the Montreal Protocol
• Recent decisions of the Executive Committee of the Multilateral Fund Secretariat and the implications for the Caribbean Region
• Certifications and licensing systems  for technicians (case study on a system set up by the Belize Ozone Unit)
• Graduate level course on the Management of Ozone Depleting Substances in progress to be implemented at the University of the West Indies and its benefits to the Caribbean region
• Implementation of the Hydrochlorofluorocarbon (HCFC) Phase Out Management Plans (HPMPs)

This forum provided a distinct opportunity for the English Speaking Caribbean and Haitian Ozone Officers to share and learn from each others' experiences.
 

Sensitisation Training for Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Technicians on Hydrocarbon Refrigerants

The National Ozone Unit (NOU) embarked on a drive to educate technicians on the use of hydrocarbon refrigerants as a preferred alternative to hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) in the Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Sector. 

Trinidad and Tobago opted to utilise this new refrigerant because it is :

safe for the environment  


it is Non-Ozone Depleting and; 

does not cause Global Warming unlike the Hydrofluorocarbons (HFC) alternatives currently available.

These series of training sessions took place in both Trinidad and Tobago during 2012 and early 2013. The final training session occurred in Tobago on 15th January, 2013 at Crowne Point Beach Hotel. Technicians were sensitised about hydrocarbon use and the safety precautions required when using these hydrocarbons. In addition, they were also refreshed on proper refrigeration practices.

The  facilitator, Mr. Vernon Ramjattan of the  National Energy Skills Centre (NESC)  (front, centre) and Dr. Marissa Gowrie, National Ozone Officer  (front, left) from the NOU, Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources  addressing the technicians in a training session held in Tobago.

The Hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) Phase-Out

Trinidad and Tobago acceded to the Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer, and the Montreal Protocol for the Phase-out of Ozone Depleting Substances (ODS) in 1989. Our country was the first of the Caribbean Commonwealth to become a party to this Multilateral Environmental Agreement and has since ratified  all amendments to the Protocol.

Subsequent to the accession, the National Ozone Unit (NOU) was established in August 1997 within the Environmental Policy and Planning Division. This unit ensures that the country meets the obligations under the Protocol.  The efforts of the Unit over the years have resulted in the phase out of:

i. All ozone depleting substances (ODS) used in the fire protection sector (halons)

ii.Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) used in the foam and aerosol sectors 

iii.The imports of all CFCs as of December 31, 2007.

Hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) was one of the chemicals used as a transient replacement for CFCs because the potential level of damage to the ozone layer was less than that caused by CFC use. However, given the increase in usage of HCFC on the global market and the consequent threat to the ozone layer, a landmark decision was made at the 20th Anniversary Meeting of the Montreal Protocol to accelerate the phase out of HCFCs.

Under this accelerated phase out schedule, the following was revised:

The phase out of HCFCs in Trinidad and Tobago began on January 1, 2013. Even though we do not produce any ozone depleting substances, our consumption is based on our imports. As a result, these chemicals are listed on the country's import negative list and require and import license from the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Investment. 

The EPPD Offices have moved!

In November 2012, the EPPD was relocated to new offices at Level 26, Tower D, International Waterfront Complex, Wrightson Road, Port-of-Spain. 

 

Formerly affiliated with the Ministry of Housing and the Environment, the EPPD now falls under the umbrella of the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources created as a result of the re-alignment of portfolios of Government ministries which occurred in June 2012.

 
  In addition to the offices of the EPPD and its specialised units the MEAU and the NOU, the following sections of the Ministry can be found at our new address:

Tower D, Waterfront Complex, Port of Spain

• The office of the Senator, the Honourable Minister of the Environment and Water Resources, Mr Ganga Singh;
• The office of the Honourable Minister of  State in the Ministry of the  Environment and Water Resources, Ms Ramona Ramdial
• The office of the Permanent Secretary; Ms. Vidiah Ramkhelawan 
• The Drainage Division 
• The Legal Unit
• Communications

 

NOU takes part in EduFest 2012

In commemoration of Cancer Awareness Month, on October 9^th, 2012  the Cancer Society of Trinidad and Tobago (TTCS) and Republic Bank Ltd hosted an awareness day to educate children about cancer and how to lead healthy lifestyles. EduFest 2012 was held at the National Academy for the Performing Arts, North Academy (NAPA).

There were several booths highlighting the various types of cancers affecting citizens. The National Ozone Unit (NOU) represented by Neera Singh and Anastasia Gordon attended and shared information on how to protect yourself from the harmful effects of UV radiation and prevent skin cancer. 

There were a number of high schools and primary schools in attendance. These young people and their teachers were very enthusiastic and were well aware of ozone layer depletion and its effects. It was truly a pleasure to take part in this event. 

Aerial view of NOU booth, Anastasia Gordon (right) and Neera Singh (left) interacting with a group of high school students

Anastasia Gordon interacting with a group of primary school students

Quiz Time! Anastasia Gordon and Neera Singh (NOU) testing students awareness of ozone depletion and its link to skin cancer 

Key points to remember to protect yourself from UV radiation 
and prevent skin cancer:

• Avoid the sun between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. 
• Seek shade especially in the middle of the day when the sun’s rays are strongest. 
• Slip on a shirt. Cover up with protective clothing to guard as much skin as possible when you are out in the sun.  
• Use sunscreen and lip balm with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 30 or higher.
• Cover your head with a wide-brimmed hat, shading your face, ears, and neck. 
• Wear sunglasses with 100% UV absorption to provide optimal protection for the eyes and the surrounding skin. 
• Follow these practices to protect your skin even on cloudy or overcast days. UV rays travel through clouds.