Regional Workshop in Support of the Ratification and Effective Implementation of the Minamata Convention on Mercury

The Regional Workshop in support of the Ratification and Effective Implementation of the Minamata Convention on Mercury was held in Montevideo, Uruguay, from the 16th to 17th of April 2015 hosted by the Minamata Secretariat,.

In attendance at the Workshop were regional Parties to the Minamata Convention (e.g. Guyana, Dominican Republic, and Jamaica), as well as representatives from the regional Parties to at least one of the following: the Stockholm, Rotterdam or Basel Conventions. Ms. Keima Gardiner, Environmental Engineering Specialist, Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources represented Trinidad and Tobago. 

Ms. Gardiner with a tuna-can model of a shark that was created by school  children and presented to Uruguayan Government Officials in an effort to raise awareness of mercury poisoning and the Minamata Convention at the  Regional Workshop.

Additionally, there were members from Basel and Stockholm Regional and Coordinating Centres, an array of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and intergovernmental government organisations (IGOs), and representatives from the BRS Secretariat. 

The Workshop commenced with a joint session between the Minamata and the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions on matters related to financing and coordination and cooperation. The remainder of the two-day session focused on matters related to the inter-governmental negotiating committee (INC), financial mechanisms and enabling activities to support implementation, technical advice on ratification and regional country-level experiences on the process of ratification or implementation of the Convention.

Trinidad and Tobago benefited from attending this regional workshop as there was current information presented about this hazardous chemical, and the progress made on the implementation of the Convention from a Secretariat and country scale. This feedback can be used to facilitate informed decision making and policy development as the country arrives at a definitive position on the issue of ratification of the Minamata Convention.

 

 

 

LECB Caribbean Regional Workshop

A regional workshop entitled “Low-Emission Capacity Building (LECB) Programme - Engaging the Private Sector to Contribute to Climate Change - Latin America and the Caribbean Regional Workshop” was held in Santiago, Chile during the period May 14-16, 2014.

The Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago was represented at the Workshop by Ms. Sindy Singh, Environmental Policy and Planning Division,  Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources (MEWR) and Mr. Ryan Assiu, Environmental Management Authority (EMA). 

 

The Workshop aimed to build capacities to design and implement Low Emission Development through national mitigation actions in public and/ or private sectors among LECB participating countries in the Latin  America and Caribbean region. The workshop had four objectives: 

• Initiate a public-private dialogue on stimulating involvement of the private sector in climate change mitigation; 
•  Discuss experiences in private sector participation on mitigation activities and Nationally Appropriate Mitigation Actions (NAMAs); 
•  Engage various actors in a discussion on policy objectives and  innovative approaches to support mitigation activities and  NAMAs; 
•  Exchange lessons learned on improving market conditions to enhance private investment.

 

Ms. Sindy Singh (MEWR) at the LECB - Latin America and the Caribbean Regional Workshop (May 14 –16, 2014).

Overall, it was concluded that there is a significant need to leverage private sector finance for climate change mitigation as public sector funds are not sufficient for the required levels of greenhouse gas abatement to avoid the dangerous anthropogenic climate change as committed to in the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.  Therefore, in order to leverage such funds, it was decided that there was a need for appropriate policy and regulatory frameworks, incentives and measurement, reporting and verification systems for the implementation of NAMAs.

Capacity Building Workshop on Ecosystem Conservation and Restoration

The Capacity Building Workshop for the Caribbean on Ecosystem Conservation and Restoration to support achievement of the Aichi Biodiversity Targets was held in Belize City, Belize from April 28^th – May 2^nd, 2014.

The Workshop was convened as part of a series by the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), in collaboration with the Food and  Agriculture Organisation (FAO). It sought to provide support to parties in the development of national targets and plans for ecosystem conservation and restoration within the framework of the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity specifically its Aichi  Biodiversity Targets 5, 11 and 15. Targets 5, 11 and 15 set quantitative global targets to reduce the loss of natural habitats, improve protected area networks and restore degraded areas.

In attendance at the Workshop were representatives from Caribbean Parties to the CBD, the  CBD  Secretariat as well as   international and regional organisations. Trinidad and Tobago was represented by Ms. Anastasia Gordon, Environmental Policy Analyst, Environmental Policy and  Planning Division and Mr. Denny Dipchansingh, Acting Director of Northern Range Reforestation Project (NRRP),  Forestry Division; both from the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources.

L-R: Mr. Dipchansingh and Ms. Gordon engaged in one of the small group activities of  the Capacity Building Workshop in Belize ( April 28 - May 2, 2014).

 Over the duration of the five (5) day, participants gained knowledge of support available for the development of  national targets and plans for ecosystem conservation and restoration and for the integration of these targets 5, 11 and 15 into updated National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plans (NBSAPs) and mainstreaming them into broader national policies, plans and programmes. Additionally, Caribbean countries also developed capacity to use appropriate assessments, policy and planning tools to achieve ecosystem conservation and restoration at appropriate levels.

 

 

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.