ICC 2014

Annually, the 3rd Saturday in September, volunteers around the world remove millions of pounds of discarded material from oceans and waterways as part of the International Coastal Cleanup (ICC). Trinidad was no exception as on Saturday 20th September, 2014 at approximately 19 beaches and waterways across the country, dedicated volunteers rendered their time and service in this data collection exercise.

The Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources (MEWR) journeyed to the east coast to Manzanilla to clean up the surrounding environment and improve the beach's aesthetics for ICC 2014. The Honourable Minister Ganga Singh as well as the Honourable Minister Romana Ramdial, alongside the Permanent Secretary, Ms. Vidiah Ramkelawan and representatives of the Ministry's Head Office, the Environmental Policy and Planning Division (EPPD), the Communications Department,Human Resources, the Accounts Division, the Water and Sewage Authority (WASA) and the National Reforestation and Watershed Rehabilitation Programme (NRWRP) all braved the inclement weather on that morning to support’ Trash Free Seas’. 

Within their groups of four, participants enthusiastically collected plastic bottles, food wrappers, grocery bags, bottle caps, fishing rope, dead animals and other debris both natural and anthropogenic. By the end of the cleanup exercise, several bags of debris were collected and the condition of the beach improved considerably, as did the weather. 

All sponsors and volunteers deserve commendation for continuously organising and supporting this event.  Their efforts are useful for providing quantitative data to inform decision makers, researchers, the public and   organisations such as the Caribbean Network for Integrated Rural Development (CNIRD) and the National Planning Committee (NPC). Additionally, this initiative provides substantive evidence of the need for us to heighten our environmental cognizance and alter our behaviour, in the hope that in future years less debris will be collected from these coastal sites. 
 

Honourable Minister of the Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Ganga Singh (centre)
 with the staff of the MEWR  who participated in ICC 2014.

 

 

Improving Forest and Protected Area Management in Trinidad and Tobago Project - Approved!

The Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources as the National Focal Point for the Convention on Biological Diversity and the Convention to Combat Desertification was assisted by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) to develop a proposal for a large scale Global Environmental Facility (GEF) funded project entitled “Improving Forest and Protected Area Management in Trinidad and Tobago.”

The four (4) year project is intended to conserve biodiversity in the country by setting up a protected areas system and enhancing capacity and finance for conservation management. It will also assist in the implementation of the new National Forest Policy and the National Protected Areas Policy.

In April, 2014, the final project document produced was endorsed by the GEF CEO which has recently been approved by Cabinet.  The approved project document and endorsement letter can be found below:

• Project Document: Improving Forest and Protected Area Management in Trinidad and Tobago
• GEF CEO Endorsement Letter 

Climate Change Awareness at BGTT

The Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources (MEWR) was invited by British Gas (BG) Trinidad to sensitise on its climate change initiatives their staff at their annual World Environment Day staff fair at their Port of Spain office on June 3^rd 2014.

R-L: Ms. Batchasingh, Ms. LeungWoo-Gabriel and Ms. Singh conversing with  employees of the BG (left) on climate change initiatives in Trinidad and Tobago.

Ms. Jewel Batchasingh (Climate Change/Ozone Specialist),  Candace Leung-Woo Gabriel (Research Analyst) and Sindy Singh (Research Analyst) of the Multilateral Environmental Agreements Unit (MEAU) represented the MEWR. They gave presentations on the science of Climate Change and initiatives in Trinidad and Tobago  as well as answered many questions from the staff at BG Trinidad about the ongoing implementation of the National Climate Change Policy.

 

Official Hand-over of the NIP on POPs

With an aim to further enhance the management of toxic and harmful chemicals affecting human health and the environment, Trinidad and Tobago fulfilled one of its obligations as a signatory to the Stockholm Convention through the development of a National Implementation Plan (NIP) on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs). The completion of the NIP was commemorated through an official handover ceremony at the Hyatt Regency Hotel on Friday 23 May, 2014.

  

The official handover of the NIP between the UNDP  represented by Ms. Rosemary Lal (left) and the MEWR  represented by the Honourable Minister Ganga Singh, Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources (right).

This NIP was developed with grant funding provided through the United Nations Development Programme – Global Environment Facility (UNDP/GEF) and with technical support from the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources.

 As part of completing the NIP, an assessment of the major types and sources of POPs in the country was conducted. Some of the main findings arising from the study include:

• there is no production of POPs pesticides or  chemicals in the country; 
• importation of POPs is effectively prohibited; 
•  there are no POPs chemicals presently on the market apart from some PCB transformers that are reaching the end of their useful life and; 
•  Trinidad and Tobago’s main concerns relate to the unintentional release of POPs (uPOPs) primarily through flaring in the petrochemical industry and open burning  of waste and agricultural residue. 

To minimize the risks posed not only by the original “dirty dozen” (an initial twelve chemicals or chemical groups identified by the Stockholm Convention needing priority action) but also the latter additions of POPs, the NIP recommends a series of actions to be implemented over a five (5) year period.  These measures outline the main actors involved in each process, estimated budgetary requirements, as well as a metric for evaluating  implementation success.

The Draft Forestry, Protected Areas and Wildlife Conservation Bill is out for comment!

The Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources has drafted enabling legislation necessary for the implementation of the National Forest, Protected Areas and Wildlife Policies. 

Stakeholders and interested members of the public are invited to review and submit comments on the Draft Forestry, Protected Areas and Wildlife Conservation Bill and Regulations on Flora and Fauna, Fees, Forests and Forest Resources, Protected Areas, Scientific Research Permits and Special Development Permits.

The deadline for submission of comments is May 31st, 2014. Comments can be sent to the Ministry via:

• Email:      policy.comments@gov.tt 
• Fax:         624- 2455
• Mail:        Level 26, Tower D, International Waterfront Complex, 1A Wrightson Road, Port-of-Spain

To download a copy of the template form that should be used to submit comments on the Draft Bill and Regulations, click here.

>> For background information on the National Forest, Protected Areas and Wildlife Policies visit the National Clearing House Mechanism Biodiversity Website  at www.biodiversity.gov.tt.

 

Establishment of the Montreal Protocol Cabinet Appointed Committee

As of  February, 2014, a Cabinet Appointed Committee was established to guide the  implementation of the Montreal Protocol in Trinidad and Tobago. 

Led by the National Ozone Unit of the Environmental Policy and Planning Division, Ministry of the Environment and Water  Resources, the Committee consists of  representatives from the: 

• Trinidad and Tobago Bureau of Standards (TTBS)
•  Environmental Management Authority (EMA)
•  Air-conditioning and Refrigeration Industry Association (ARIA) 
•  Ministry of Legal Affairs 
•  Ministry of Trade 
•  Trade Licensing Unit, Ministry of Health 
• Chemistry Food and Drugs Division and Plant Quarantine Division of the Ministry of Food Production 
•  Customs and Excise Division of the Ministry of Finance and The Economy 
•  Ministry of Energy and Energy Affairs and the Tobago House of Assembly 

 

The Committee is charged with the responsibility to guide and provide oversight for the Hydrochlorofluorocarbon (HCFC) Phase out Management Plan (HPMP) in Trinidad and Tobago. The phase out involves the reduction of imports and consumption of these ozone depleting chemicals through a phased approach.  

It is also charged with the responsibility to provide input on the HPMP activities including legislation, standards, public awareness  initiatives and training in new alternatives in the that are both Ozone and Climate  friendly to benefit stakeholders. The  refrigeration and air conditioning sector, the  fumigation sector and the foam manufacturing sector are the primary stakeholders in this phase out.

 

Consultation with Monthly Paid Forestry Division Staff on the FPAMA

On January 15, 2013, a meeting was held at the Point Lisas Chamber of Commerce, Couva with the monthly paid Forestry Staff on the transformation of the Forestry Division to the Forest and Protected Management Authority (FPAMA) from 9:30 – 11:30 a.m. 
 

View of Monthly Paid Forestry Division staff in attendance

The purpose of this consultation was to sensitise staff members about the FPAMA and the potential of benefits this transition. Most importantly, it was to give monthly paid staff a forum to voice their concerns and comments regarding the Authority

Mr. Courtnay Parks, Acting Conservator of Forests; Forestry Division opened the meeting with welcoming remarks which was then followed by a presentation by Dr. David Persaud, Environmental Manager of the Environmental Policy and Planning Division; Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources. 

Dr. Persaud updated staff on the status of the transformation process of the Forestry Division to the FPAMA.  Monthly staff of Forestry was also given an overview of the draft legislative framework for the FPAMA by Dr. Rajendra Ramlogan, Legal Drafting Consultant for the Forestry, Protected Areas and Wildlife Conservation Bill.

After the presentations, there was an open discussion facilitated by the Honourable Minister of the Environment and Water Resources (MEWR), Ganga Singh. During this session, staff had the opportunity to raise concerns and pose questions to the Minister and other members of the head table which included the Permanent Secretary of the MEWR, Dr. Persaud and Dr. Ramlogan.

Head Table during Q&A session. L-R: Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Ramkhelawan, Honourable Minister Ganga Singh, Environmental Manager, Dr. Persaud and Legal Drafting Consultant, Dr. Ramlogan.

Many issues were raised and suggestions made about the transformation of the Forestry Division to the FPAMA. These issues included, among other things, job security and employment options and benefits, consideration of education/qualifications and current officers with specialized experience in job selection criteria, remuneration and special allowances, consultation during every step of the process, safety on the job and accountability as well as training and re-training of staff with emphasis on younger officers.

At the end of the session, the Honourable Minister thanked the staff for their time and airing their views. He reassured the staff members that concerns have been heard and would be further addressed especially with the Change Management Consultants coming on board. 

>> For further updates on the status of the transition to the FPAMA and/or to give comments, stay tuned to the Green Days by EPPD blog. Presentations and written comments from this meeting can be accessed below: 

• Transformation of the Forestry Division to the FPAMA (Status Update)
• Overview of the Draft Legislative Framework 
• Written Comments 

On Tuesday 14th October, 2013 a meeting was held at the Point Lisas Chamber of Commerce, Couva with the daily paid Forestry Staff on the transformation of the Forestry Division to the Forest and Protected Management Authority (FPAMA) from 9:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. 

 

The purpose of this consultation was to sensitise staff members about the FPAMA and the potential of benefits this transition. Most importantly, it was to give daily paid establishment of the Forestry Division a forum to voice their concerns and comments regarding the establishment of the new Authority.

Mr. Carlton Roberts, Director of the Forestry Information Unit and Forest Resource Inventory and Management (FRIM); Forestry Division opened the meeting with a prayer and welcoming remarks. He  was then followed by a presentation by Dr. David Persaud, Environmental Manager of the Environmental Policy and Planning Division; Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources.

 

Dr. Persaud updated staff on the status of the transformation process of the Forestry Division to the FPAMA.  Daily paid staff of Forestry was also given an overview of the proposed institutional arrangement and potential benefits of the FPAMA by Dr. Floyd Homer, Biodiversity Specialist, Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources. After the presentations, there was an open discussion facilitated by Mr. Roberts. During this session, staff had the opportunity to raise concerns and pose questions to members of the head table.

View of the facilitator and members of the head table. From L-R: Mr. Roberts, Mr. Byer, Mr. Rattansingh, Ms. Bartlett Alleyne, Dr. Ramlogan, Mr. Seepersad, Mr. Simpson, Dr. Persaud and Dr. Homer

The head table included Mr. Jonny Seepersad, Conservator of Forests, Mr. Clifton Simpson, Second Deputy President General, National Union of Government and Federated Workers (NUGFW), Ms. Jillian Joy Bartlett-Alleyne, General Secretary, NUGFW, Mr. Ajodia Rattansingh, Human Resource Manager, Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Reginald Byer, Industrial Relations Specialist, Dr. Rajendra Ramlogan, Legal Drafting Consultant for the Draft Forestry, Protected Areas and Wildlife Conservation Bill, Dr. Persaud, and Dr. Homer.

 

Daily Paid Staff of the Forestry Division in attendance

Many issues were raised and suggestions made about the transformation of the Forestry Division to the FPAMA. These concerns included, among other things, transition of related current posts into the Authority, inconsistences in the operations of Forestry Division being transferred in the new Authority, and the status of outstanding matters at the CPO’s office and pending compensation, re-visiting of the proposed Bill.

Concerns about job security especially for persons that have been working at the Division for a short period of timeopportunities for younger employees in the Authority pensions and other employment benefits/ flexibility especially for single parents, the time-frame for the realisation of the Authority, safety on the job, and fear of  victimisation and favouritism were also raised. At the end of the session, Mr. Roberts thanked the staff for their time and airing their views.

>> For further updates on the status of the transition to the FPAMA and/or to give comments, stay tuned to the Green Days by EPPD blog. Presentations and written comments from this meeting can be accessed below:

• Transformation of the Forestry Division to the FPAMA (Status Update) 
• Proposed Institutional Arrangement and Benefits of an Authority 
• Questions and Comments made at the Meeting with Forestry Division’s Daily Paid Establishment