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.

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.

 

Blog Website Training

On Thursday 18th February, 2016 the Environmental Policy and Planning Division held two (2) back to back training sessions (9:30 - 10:30am and 10:30 - 11:30am respectively) with divisions of the Ministry of Planning and Development on setting up blogs.

Sharing the experience of the EPPD using blogs to maintain a strong presence on the internet and keep its stakeholders informed on their actions with regards to environmental management and policy, participants gained insight into the benefits of utilising the Web 2.0 tool to effectively communicate and share information with their stakeholders on the activities of their departments/units.

Additionally, attendees were also given a live and interactive tutorial on the features of and the creation a blog using the Google Blogger Platform. Participants included representatives from the Communications Unit, Town and Country Planning, Economic Development Advisory Board, European Development Fund Unit and the Technical Cooperation Unit of the Ministry. 

Presentation on the EPPD's blogs (click here for presentation)

A few of the participants of the first training session including Ms. Anastasia Gordon (first from the left) and Dr. David Persaud (first from the right) from the EPPD who facilitated the training sessions.

Some participants of the second session of the blog website training session.

National Ozone Unit Public Awareness and Training Activities

During the period April - June 2015, the National Ozone Unit (NOU), a specialised of the Environmental Policy and Planning Division (EPPD), Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources (MEWR) had several initiatives in their efforts to minimise the consumption of ozone depleting substances and thus, fulfill the requirements of the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer. These initiatives included:

School Sensitisation Programmes:

With the aim of increasing public awareness, the NOU conducted  sensitisation programmes in schools across the country during the months May to June, 2015. 

Students were educated on the Montreal Protocol, the Ozone Layer and its depletion, and current initiatives being undertaken by the Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago as well as the NOU shared tips for protecting oneself from the sun’s harmful UV rays .

The NOU has presented to classes ranging from lower primary school to Form Six.  Schools visited included:

• Mucurapo Girls’  RC School (May 1, 2015) 
• Barrackpore East Secondary (June 2, 2015) 
• Parvati Girls’ Hindu College (June 5, 2015) 
•  Arouca Government Primary (June 11, 2015) 
•  ASJA Boys’ College (March 18, 2015)

 

Ms. Krysten Harris of the NOU, MEWR facilitating a  sensitisation session with students of Mucurapo Girls

 

Stakeholder Engagement:

New applicants for loans and mortgages can look out for useful information on making smart choices when purchasing equipment such as air conditioning unit and domestic refrigerators for their homes.

The National Ozone Unit held a sensitisation session on April 14, 2015 with members of the financial sector to develop a collaboration which would be used to disseminate information to consumers and homeowners. This will be done through brochures and the uploading of information to the various websites. The participants were very interested in the partnership and took part actively in the discussions.

Dr. Marissa Gowrie, National Ozone Officer conducting  a  sensitisation with members of the financial sector.

 

Training Sessions: 

As part of the effort to strengthen the regulatory monitoring of the import of ozone depleting substances (ODS), the National Ozone Unit  (NOU) is continuing its sensitisation of customs brokers. On May 12, 2015 the NOU also has commenced its partnership with the Customs Training School in Port of Spain to impart knowledge, examples and up to date information on these substances. 

 

Ms. Neera Singh facilitating the training session with participants from the Customs Training School, Port-of-Spain (May 12, 2015)

In addition, on May 19, 2015 the NOU visited Huggins Shipping in Port of Spain to continue its company specific training sessions. The session was well received by the officers and the offer has been extended to other sections of the company. 

Ms. Neera Singh conducting the training session with Huggins Shipping and Customs Brokerage company, May 19th, 2015

In continuation of its promotion of hydrocarbon as an alternative refrigerant, which is ozone friendly as well as climate friendly, the NOU conducted a hydrocarbon training in south Trinidad on Saturday May 23, 2015. The session was facilitated by Mr. Anthony Banfield, (Flavorite Foods Limited and Hydrocarbon trainer) focused on proper refrigeration practices including safe handling of refrigerant and equipment. The practical session exposed participants to new technology in the air conditioning and refrigeration sector using hydro-carbon refrigerant. 

 

 

Mr. Anthony Banfield facilitating the training on hydrocarbons in south Trinidad.

 

Methyl Bromide has been phased out for non-quarantine and pre-shipment (QPS) since January 1, 2015 but its use is still allowed for QPS though strictly controlled through a licensing system. In this regard, on June 10, 2015 the NOU conducted a sensitisation session for the Pest Risk Management Unit at Centeno to provide some up to date information on some of the alternatives available for methyl bromide for QPS.

  

Mr. Anthony Ramdeen (Consultant for the Methyl Bromide Phase-Out Project) facilitating the session on alternatives of Methyl Bromide.

 

Capacity Development for improved management of Multilateral Environmental Agreements for global environmental benefits Project

The Trinidad and Tobago Government through the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources (MEWR) has initiated the preparation of a Global Environmental Facility (GEF) medium sized project entitled "Capacity Development for improved management of Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs) for global environmental benefits" in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

It's objective is to strengthen national capacities for implementation of the Rio Conventions (i.e. the Convention on Biological Diversity, United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change) and other MEAs in Trinidad and Tobago.

To achieve this, the project's strategy incorporates:

• training for civil society and key members of national institutions and coordinating bodies with responsibility for environmental matters on environmental obligations, rules and regulations, monitoring and evaluation, and national reporting guidelines and requirements under the Conventions
• creating cross institutional alliances, strengthening management capacities for implementing Convention requirements and developing coordination mechanisms to disseminate information and replicate approaches 
• developing a communication strategy to raise awareness of MEA obligations and requirements and disseminate project results 

Stakeholder consultations were convened with a wide range of stakeholders including community groups, civil society, the private sector, academic and research institutions, NGOs, governmental agencies and local authorities to solicit input in the project design and validation of the final project document. 

Validation workshops were held in Scarborough Tobago on May 27, 2015 and in Port-of-Spain on May 28, 2015. The feedback from these sessions were very informative and contributed to a successful endorsement of the draft project document leading to the eventual approval by GEF for funding to implement the Project  in July, 2015.

SNAPSHOTS FROM THE VALIDATION WORKSHOPS

Tobago (May 27, 2015)

Trinidad (May 28th, 2015

 

NOU Public Awareness Activities and Training

School Programmes:

 Ms. Krysten Harris of the NOU (back row),  Ministry of the  Environment

 and Water  Resources with students of  Lambeau A.C  Primary 

School after a sensitization  session.

With the aim of increasing public awareness, the National Ozone Unit (NOU) began conducting sensitization programmes in schools across the country during the month of November. Students were educated on the Montreal Protocol, the Ozone Layer and its depletion, and current initiatives being undertaken by the Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago.

The NOU has presented to classes ranging from lower primary school to Form Six and plans to continue doing so in the new 2015 school term. Schools visited include:

• Holy Name Convent, Port of Spain 
• St. Francois Girls’ College 
•  Bishop Centenary College 
•  Lambeau A.C. Primary School 
•  Bon Accord Government Primary

 

Customs Brokers Training:

Dr. Marissa Gowrie, the NOU’s Ozone Officer, 

speaking with participants of the Customs Brokers Training

On 25th November, 2014 the NOU held its first training session for customs brokers at Premier Quality Services Limited, Macoya. This training was done in an effort to strengthen the relationship between the NOU and stakeholders in the trade of ozone depleting substances (ODS), and to increase understanding of the requirements for importation of refrigeration and air conditioning gases.

The workshop was a collaborative effort between the NOU, Trade Licensing Unit, Trinidad and Tobago Bureau of Standards (TTBS), Customs and Excise Division and the Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Association. It was well attended by 22 customs brokers from various companies.

Presentations made to the participants included:

• The Montreal Protocol and the science of the Ozone Layer and its depletion by Dr. Marissa Gowrie (NOU)
• HS Tariff Codes for Refrigerants (Customs Quick Tool) by Ms. Neera Singh (NOU) 
• Role of TTBS in monitoring imports and identifying refrigerants by Mr. Urvyn Boochoon (TTBS) 
•  TT Biz Link and ASYCUDA by Ms. Kerry Ann Alexander (Customs Academy).

Mr. Urvyn Boochoon of TTBS having a practical session with customs brokers on the use of refrigerant identifiers

This training session also encompassed the information gained from a regional training workshop held in Grenada in 2013 which focused on “Protecting Caribbean Borders from Illegal Trade in Ozone Depleting Substances (ODS).” The collaborative efforts were well received and the NOU intends to continue further training with custom brokerage firms in 2015.