The National Ozone Unit in Action!: Sept.- Nov. 2013

Train-the-Trainer Workshop on Alternatives for Ozone Depleting Substances - Hydrochlorofluorocarbons

 

Trainer Daniel Colborne  addressing participants

The National Ozone Unit hosted a train-the-trainer programme during the period September 26 - October 2, 2013 as part of the phase out of hydrochlorofluorocarbons. Participants were trained in using Hydrocarbon Refrigerants as an alternative in domestic and commercial refrigeration and in the air-conditioning industry. The trainees included representatives from the air conditioning and refrigeration industry and from technical schools.  

Joint Network Meeting of Latin American and Ozone Officers in Jamaica, September 30 -October 4, 2013

 

Participants of the Caribbean Network during a breakout session to discuss progress of the implementation of the HCFC phase out management plans.

Trinidad and Tobago attended the Joint Network Meeting of Latin American and Caribbean Ozone Officers in Jamaica from September 30th to October 4, 2013.  The meeting focused on the phase out of Hydrochlorofluorocarbons and the importance of considering climate benefits when choosing alternatives for each application.   

Cancer Awareness EduFest for Primary and Secondary Schools, October 8 - 9, 2013

 

Primary school students listening to the National Ozone Assistant , Ms. Neera Singh  (left) about tips on being sun safe.

 

The Cancer Society of Trinidad and Tobago hosted an event entitled  “Edufest” for the month of October for  Primary and Secondary Schools at the National Academy of Performing Arts (NAPA).  Schools from all across the country attended the event.  Every year the National Ozone Unit 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.  

 

 

Protecting Caribbean Borders from Illegal Trade in Ozone Depleting Substance (ODS)

 

L-R: Trinidad Participants , Kerry Ann   Alexander, Urvyn Boochoon and Louise Tavarez Jacksonat the workshop

Participants from the Customs and Excise Division, Trinidad and Tobago Bureau of Standards (Ministry of Trade, Industry and Investment) and the Customs Brokers Association participated in a Regional Workshop on combating illegal trade in Ozone Depleting Substances (ODS). The three day workshop which occurred from November 27 –29, 2013 focused on identifying illegal trade and measures to curb the practice and gave enforcement personnel hands on training in protecting Caribbean borders.

 

  

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. 

2 day Seminar on Hydrocarbon Sensitization

In keeping with T&T's commitment to phase out ozone depleting substances (ODS) as mandated by the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer, a Hydrocholorfluorocarbon (HCFC) Phase Out Workshop was recently conducted with stakeholders of the air conditioning and refrigeration industry.  

The Workshop was held by the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources, in collaboration with the University of the West Indies (UWI) and the United Nations Environment Programme - Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean (UNEP-ROLAC) during the period September 27-28, 2012.

UWI's Professor Gurmohan Kochhar addressing the participants of the Seminar

The workshop concentrated on many aspects of the refrigeration and air condition industry and the foam sector. It also marked an opportunity for senior decision makers to gain a wider view on how business practices can be changed to improve companies’ green business performance, including energy efficiency, climate and ozone impacts.

Facilitators were:

1. Professor Gurmohan Kochhar - Professor of Mechanical Engineering, UWI St. Augustine 
2. Mr Alvin Daniel - Engineering and Refrigeration Consultant
3. Dr. Marissa Gowrie - Deputy Environmental Manager and National Ozone Officer, Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources

Dr Gowrie, National Ozone Officer giving the participants an introduction to the Montreal Protocol

25th Anniversary Celebration of the Montreal Protocol and Launch of NIHERST Ozone Awareness Display

The Montreal Protocol celebrates its 25^th year of existence in September, 2012.  World Ozone Day is celebrated each year on September 16^th.  The National Ozone Unit, in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme and National Institute of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology (NIHERST) launched the Ozone Awareness Display at the NIHERST Science Centre on September 14, 2012 in commemoration of World Ozone Day and to mark the 25^th Anniversary of the Montreal Protocol. 

The Honourable Ganga Singh, Minister of the Environment and Water Resources was there to receive a commemorative plaque for Trinidad and Tobago’s important contribution to protecting the ozone layer.  The display serves to build awareness for children on both the damaging effects of chemicals (such as CFCs and HCFCs) on the ozone layer and how to protect themselves from harmful UV radiation from the sun as a result of the weakened ozone layer.

 Dr Marissa Gowrie presenting a token of appreciation to Ms Maureen Manchouck, President of NIHERST

Senator, The Honourable Minister Ganga Singh interacting with the Ozone Display

Ms Rosemary Lall (UNDP Representative)  presenting the Commemorative Plaque for the 25^th Anniversary to the Minister

Hydrocarbon Sensitisation Training

The National Ozone Unit comprising Dr Marissa Gowrie (National Ozone Officer) and Ms Neera Singh (Ozone Officer) held Hydrocarbon Sensitisation Training sessions over the month of August 2012. 

The dates and venues of the sessions included:

• August 6th and 10th, El Sororro
• August 7th, Macoya
• August 8th, Couva
• August 27th, San Fernando
• August 30th, Tobago 

A key obligation of Trinidad and Tobago under the Montreal Protocol is the phase-out of Hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs). To facilitate the phase out, the refrigeration and air conditioning sector needs to be properly trained in alternative refrigerants. This is set out in the HCFC Phase-out Management Plan (HPMP)  for Trinidad and Tobago.

One of the alternative refrigerants currently being explored is hydrocarbon, which is considered to be a green refrigerant. It is non-ozone depleting and has a low global warming potential (GWP). However, hydrocarbon is a flammable substance and therefore, proper training is required for technicians to safely work with the refrigerant.

The sessions served to build awareness of the importance of training service technicians in the Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Industry to work with hydrocarbon systems. Mr Ruben Marchand (Hydrocarbon Expert) and Mr Vernon Ramjattan (School of Practical Air-Conditioning) were the trainers for the sessions. Stemming from these sessions, the way forward will be to begin training technicians to service systems utilising hydrocarbon as a refrigerant.                                                                                      

Dr Marissa Gowrie (National Ozone Officer) speaking at the Tobago Session

Technicians at the Hydrocarbon Sensitisation Session in San Fernando

Ozone Awareness at ABS

The National Ozone Unit (NOU) continues its education of the air conditioning and refrigeration sector on the Montreal Protocol and the impending phase out of hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) scheduled to begin in January 2013, through its lectures and outreach activities. 

The NOU most recently conducted training and awareness raising at Abel Building Solutions (ABS) at its Mount Hope Offices for the entire engineering department including senior staff, technical professionals and procurement officers.

Attendees were informed about the phase out targets for HCFC as well as the elements of the HCFC Phase out Management Plan (HPMP) which include equipment provision, further training in good refrigeration practices, retrofitting of equipment, and the establishment of a certification programme for technicians. 

To learn more about ABS, you can visit the company's website.

From L-R: Dr. Marissa Gowrie (National Ozone Officer), Mr. Adam Sabga (General Manager; ABS ) and Mr. Winfield Clamens (one of the founders the Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Industry Association)

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.