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.

Stakeholder Engagement on the draft National Guidelines for the RAC Sector

Trinidad and Tobago, via the National Ozone Unit (NOU) within the Environmental Policy and Planning Division (EPPD) of the Ministry of Planning and Development has made efforts to implement the Montreal Protocol through public awareness, legislation and providing training for the Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning (RAC) sector.

The Unit sought to continue efforts to enhance the RAC sector by holding stakeholder engagement sessions on the National Guidelines for the RAC Sector of Trinidad and Tobago. These guidelines are designed to define standards, good RAC practices, improve safety quality, act as a resource document for training technicians and facilitate the transition from Ozone Depleting Substances (ODS) to non-ODS refrigeration technology. Its ultimate goal is to enable the reduction and elimination of ODS consumption in Trinidad and Tobago.

There were three (3) sessions held in both Trinidad and in Tobago:

• Magdalena Grand Hotel, Lowlands, Tobago -  August 6, 2015 
• Arthur Lok Jack GSB, Mount Hope, Trinidad -  August 11, 2015 
• Cara Suites, Claxton Bay, Trinidad -  August 13, 2015

The stakeholder engagement sessions were intended to solicit feedback from persons within the Sector on the draft Guidelines. The document has been amended incorporating comments received from these sessions and is currently awaiting approval.

 

Participants at the South Stakeholder Engagement 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.

 

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.

 

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.