World Ozone Day 2015!

In 1994, the UN General Assembly proclaimed  September 16^th the International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer, commemorating the date of the signing, in 1987, of the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer.

On this day, countries promote activities in accordance with the objectives of the Protocol, i.e. the phasing-out of ozone depleting substances that help preserve the Ozone Layer as well as protecting human health and ecosystems by limiting the harmful ultraviolet radiation from reaching the earth.

This year marks the 30th anniversary of the Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer. Thus the theme for World Ozone Day is  “30 years of healing the ozone together.” The theme is supported by the slogan, “Ozone: All there is between you and UV.”  

In commemoration of the Day, on September 16th, 2015 the National Ozone Unit invited the company LOOK Opticians to facilitate an awareness session with the staff of the Environmental Policy and Planning Division and the former Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources.

 

Dr Marissa Gowrie (left) National Ozone Officer introducing the facilitators from LOOK Opticians (right)  to the staff

Free Vision Screening after the awareness session.

Ozone Layer Depletion causes greater exposure to ultra-violet (UV) rays from the sun which can cause several ailments including eye conditions such as eye cataract. Therefore, attendees were sensitised about the harmful effects of UV on the human eyes and ways in which we can protect them.  LOOK Opticians also provided free vision screening and advice for interested persons on the day.

 

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.

 

4th National CDM Workshop and MEA Sensitisation Session

The Fourth National Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) Workshop was held on November 27th, 2013 at Paria Suites Hotel and Conference Centre. This workshop sought to bring closure to the CDM Project. It was also done in conjunction with the  Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEA) Sensitisation Session which was focused on engendering an understanding of, and support for, the successful implementation for the MEAs to which  Trinidad and Tobago are signatory, through increasing stakeholder awareness of the Conventions and their organisations roles in implementation.

In addition, to conclude the CDM project activities, the findings of the Reports for the project “Mainstreaming Climate Change into National Development and Capacity Building for the participation in carbon markets” were presented to raise awareness among stakeholders and identify nexuses.All the participants from former workshops were invited, as well as other important stakeholders from the energy and fiduciary sectors. All of the major MEAs to which Trinidad and Tobago are signatory were highlighted and briefly explained.

Participants at the 4th CDM Workshop 

and MEA Sensitisation Session

The major nexus between these conventions and the roles that CDM and the participants play were also identified and  explained so that participants could understand the long term vision of the MEA focal point network database. Additionally, it was also highlighted the importance of their continued participation and cooperation to work with the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources in rolling out what was also pinpointed as national initiatives and the goal of the National Climate Change Policy.

A summary of the UNEP Gap Report 2013 was also provided and a short history of the CDM and the future of carbon markets were also explained. Due to increasing challenges in CDM such as the uncertainty in the market carbon process, and the complexity of the CDM process leading to low levels of CDM activities in the Caribbean Region, the UNFCCC Regional Collaborative Centre in Grenada was established amongst other regional centres.

This Centre was formed to further aid in the growth of potential CDM projects by providing technical support and other related expert services to expand the regions carbon market potential. Potential benefits and projects were highlighted to the  stakeholders to express the level of support that would be provided for future CDM projects.

Mr. Kishan Kumarsingh (Head,  MEAU) giving remarks

 at the 4th CDM Workshop and MEA Sensitisation Session

A presentation was made by Petrotrin explaining their CDM  project, and the process it took them to reach the stage of registration. They also explained the lessons learnt going through all the steps and the potential benefits to other organisations in partnering with them under their Programme of Activity (PoA). 

To close the workshop, the way forward and the next steps for Trinidad and Tobago were outlined by identifying the national initiatives and projects such as carbon and capture and storage, the mainstreaming of climate change into national development, and the elaboration of a strategy for reducing  carbon emissions.