Preparation of Trinidad and Tobago's 3rd National Communication, INDC and 1st Biennial Update Report to the UNFCCC

The Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago through the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources has received approval from the Global Environment Facility (GEF) for its project entitled “Preparation of Trinidad and Tobago's Third National Communication and First Biennial Update Report to the UNFCCC.”  The project will be implemented through the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

This project seeks to develop the following documentation to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) as part of Trinidad and Tobago’s obligations as a signatory to the Convention:

• Third National Communication (TNC) 
•  First Biennial Update Report (FBUR) 
• Trinidad and Tobago’s Intended Nationally Determined Contribution (INDC)

  

Project outcomes that will be achieved include:  

1. Vulnerability studies for coastal resources in Trinidad and Tobago
2. Development of low carbon emission strategies based on the development of Business as Usual and alternative scenarios for Trinidad and Tobago
3. Development of a greenhouse gas inventory database which will facilitate easy submission of data to the government for the preparation of the National GHG Inventory and it is expected to form part of the Measurement, Reporting and Verification (MRV) framework
4. Gap assessment for finance, technology needs and capacity building initiatives as it relates to climate change. This will facilitate the identification of climate change priority areas, education and awareness, research and institutional strengthening.

Building capacity on climate change mitigation

The second in its series of training workshops for National Communications, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) has recently held a training workshop on mitigation assessment for developing countries, as a follow up to the first workshop on vulnerability and adaptation assessment. 

Wind, sun and biomass are renewable energy sources that can be used to switch away from fossil fuels as a means to mitigate climate change.

Trinidad and Tobago attended the UNFCCC Hands on Training for Latin America and the Caribbean Region on Mitigation Assessment, held in Antigua and Barbuda during July 16-20, 2012. The workshop was organized by the Consultative Group of Experts (CGE) on National Communications from Parties not included in Annex I to the Convention, and was attended by Ms Jewel Batchasingh, Climate Change/Ozone Specialist, MEAU. 

The CGE exists to provide technical assistance to Non-Annex I Parties (basically, developing countries) to undertake vulnerability and adaptation assessments with a view to improving the accuracy, consistency and transparency of information reported in their national communications (basically, national reports). The meeting sought to examine:

1.            Mitigating Climate Change

2.            Mitigation in the Context of National Communications and Biennial Update Reports

3.            Experiences in Mitigation Assessment and National Communications

4.            Mitigation Options, Issues and Barriers by Sector

5.            Screening Mitigation Options

6.            Mitigation Analysis, Methods and Tools

7.            Reporting Mitigation in National Communications

8.            Building National Arrangements for the Mitigation Assessment

Participation by Trinidad and Tobago at this particular workshop augured well with the current mitigation initiatives being pursued by the country, such as providing an overview of the various technologies and options that might be appropriate for mitigating greenhouse gases, as well as the types of policies and measures that can promote the implementation of those options, including examining energy supply, transportation, buildings, industry, agriculture, forestry, waste management, and cross-cutting mitigation options. It will also supplement our work in the preparation of National Communications to the UNFCCC.

Building capacity in climate change adaptation

Trinidad and Tobago attended the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Hands on Training for Latin America and the Caribbean Region on Vulnerability and Adaptation Assessment, held in Antigua and Barbuda during the period July 09-13, 2012.  

The workshop was organized by the Consultative Group of Experts (CGE) on National Communications from Parties not included in Annex I to the Convention, and was attended by Ms Denise Hakim, Research Analyst, MEAU.

The CGE is mandated to provide technical assistance to Non-Annex I Parties to undertake vulnerability and adaptation assessments with a view to improving the accuracy, consistency and transparency of information reported in their national communications. 

The Hands-on Training for Latin America and the Caribbean Region on Vulnerability and Adaptation Assessment Workshop examined the following key matters:

1. Experiences and Challenges in conducting Vulnerability and Adaptation Assessments by Sector
2. Vulnerability and Adaptation Component of a Future Comprehensive National System
3. Vulnerability and Adaptation Framework
4. Baseline Socioeconomic and Climate Change Scenarios
5. Water Resources – Methods, Tools and Data Requirements for Integrated Water Resource Management and Adaptation Planning in the Water Sector
6. Agriculture – Methods, Tools and Data Requirements for Agricultural Impact Assessment  and Adaptation  Planning in the Agriculture Sector

      
      Cross-sectoral and Multi-sectoral Integration and Communication

Participation by Trinidad and Tobago at this workshop supports the current national initiatives being pursued with regards to addressing climate change impacts including sectoral vulnerability in major sectors and aids in the achievement of the objectives of the National Climate Change Policy, including:
 

1. Conserving and building resilience of human and natural systems to adapt to the adverse impacts of climate change;
2. Enhanced agricultural production and food security;
3. Educating the wider public on the potential impacts of climate change and the recommended adaptation strategies; and
4. Conserving and guaranteeing a sustainable supply of potable water.

It will also supplement the Ministry’s work in the preparation of National Communications to the UNFCCC.