National Workshop for the Results of the Mercury Storage and Disposal Project in the Caribbean

After seven (7) short months, the desktop study for the Mercury Storage and Disposal Project, concluded with a National Workshop to relay results obtained to key stakeholders and members of the multi-sectoral National Working Group. This event took place on December 1^st, 2016 at the Hilton Hotel and Conference Centre, Port of Spain, Trinidad, and was hosted by the Ministry of Planning and Development in collaboration with the Basel Convention Regional Centre for the Caribbean (BCRC-Caribbean).

This project, which sought to enhance capacities and promote the environmentally sound storage and disposal of surplus mercury in three (3) Caribbean countries; Jamaica, Suriname and Trinidad and Tobago used the United Nations Environment Programme’s (UNEP) Inventory Level 1 Toolkit for Identification and Quantification of Mercury Releases as its primary data capture tool.

Ms. Keima Gardiner Presenting the Overview of the Project

Mr. Kishan Kumarsingh , Head of the Multilateral
 Environmental Agreements Unit
Giving His Opening Remarks

The Workshop culminated with the presentation of the results from the inventory by the BCRC-Caribbean. Based on the study it was revealed that the major sources of mercury, in terms of estimated total releases, in the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago are:

• Use and disposal of mercury containing products (309 kg Hg/y);
• Oil and gas production (170 kg Hg/y); and
• Other materials production (cement production) (109 kg Hg/y)¹

A Legislative and Policy Review and Storage and Disposal Options were also additional elements that formed part of the scope of work in the development of the final document. A series of recommendations also accompanied the report, and further suggestions proposed by Workshop participants on the day were incorporated into the final document.

Attendees of the National Workshop for the Results of the Mercury Storage
and Disposal Project in the Caribbean

Development of Mercury Initial Assessment in the Caribbean-Project Inception and Mercury Toolkit Training Workshop Report

The main objective of the sub-regional project ‘Development of Mercury Initial Assessments in the Caribbean' is to use scientific and technical knowledge and tools to gain a clearer understanding of the mercury status, and to facilitate the ratification and early implementation of the Minamata Convention. Trinidad and Tobago, recognising the potential benefits from such a project participated in the Project Inception Meeting and Mercury Toolkit Training Workshop hosted by the Basel Convention Regional Centre for Training and Technology Transfer for the Caribbean Region (BCRC-Caribbean) from the 10^th to 13^th October 2016.

This two-fold session was convened at the Hilton Trinidad Conference Centre, Port-of-Spain, Trinidad and comprised national representatives from the three other project participant countries namely: Jamaica, Saint Kitts and Nevis and Saint Lucia. Ms. Keima Gardiner, Environmental Engineering Specialist represented the Ministry of Planning and Development at the workshop.

Participants at the Project Inception and Mercury Toolkit Training Workshop Report
(Ms. Gardiner is pictured in the front row, fourth from the right)

The objective of the Inception Meeting were to: (i) develop a regional strategy for outreach and awareness raising aimed at national/international stakeholders throughout the project; (ii) identify key stakeholders and assign respective roles; and (iii) establish and adopt a National Coordination Mechanism for mercury management. This took place on the opening day and involved presentations on the project from the BCRC-team, the project implementing agency the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), as well as, country presentations on the national preliminary mercury sources in the respective territories.

 The training component which ensued on the three remaining days was conducted to ensure that the participants had a clear grasp of the requisite project scope and activities, while setting the tone for the project. The training, which was conducted by Dr. David Buck of the Biodiversity Research Institute, examined elements of the UNEP Practical Sourcebook on Mercury Waste Storage and Disposal, in particular as it related to the development of national inventories, and also included practical exercises on Levels 1 and 2 of the inventory. On the final day each participant was presented with a certificate of participation in the training session.

Members of the Trinidad and Tobago cohort receive their certificates of participation
(Ms. Gardiner of the Ministry of Planning and Development stands at the centre)

Caribbean Thematic Workshop on Enabling National Conditions for the Adoption of Standards in the Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Sector

The United Nations Environment Programme Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean  (UNEP ROLAC) hosted the Workshop on Enabling National Conditions for the Refrigeration and Air Conditioning (RAC) Sector during the period  October 14 - 16, 2014 in Panama City, Panama.

The Caribbean Region was represented by delegations from Antigua and Barbuda, St. Lucia, St. Kitts and Nevis, Jamaica, Grenada, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Barbados, Bahamas, Belize, Dominica, Haiti and Trinidad and Tobago. The Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago was represented at this three (3) day Workshop by Mr. Javed Lakhan,  Environmental Policy Analyst, Environmental Policy and Planning Division, Ministry of Environment and  Water Resources.

The meeting focused on the sharing of experiences among Caribbean countries with respect to the formulation and  adoption of National Standards in the Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Sector, in the context of the Montreal Protocol and each country’s Hydrochlorofluorocarbon Phase-Out Management Plan (HPMP). Other important issues discussed included the drafting and adoption of regional standards in the RAC sector as well as which countries would take the lead in formulation of these regional standards.

Overall the workshop was very productive, in that, it laid the foundation for considerable progress to be made in terms of collaboration between Caribbean and Latin American countries in creating, adapting, adopting and implementing proper standards within the Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Sector.

 

Introductory Workshop on Industrial Chemicals under the Rotterdam Convention

The Basel Convention Regional Centre for the Caribbean (BCRC-Caribbean) hosted an Introductory Workshop on Industrial Chemicals under the Rotterdam Convention for the Caribbean Sub-region, from the 8th to 10th October, 2014 at the Hilton, in Port-of-Spain.

In attendance were representatives from Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Belize, Cuba, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Jamaica, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago and the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS). Mr. Alex Mangwiro of the Secretariat of the Basel, Stockholm and Rotterdam Convention and Dr. Kersten Gutschmidt of the World Health Organisation (WHO) were also in attendance and acted as the facilitators of the Workshop. Trinidad and Tobago was represented by Ms. Keima Gardiner from the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources (MEWR), as well as representatives from the Chemistry Food and Drugs  Division, Ministry of Health, and the Ministry of Energy and Energy Affairs. 

 

The overarching aim of the workshop was to utilize a range of activities to aid in increasing awareness of the  Rotterdam Convention, as well as develop and/or strengthen the national framework for the sound management of industrial chemicals.

 

The Workshop comprised of several technical presentations in the morning period, followed by simulation exercises in the afternoon based on the presentations which included: stakeholder identification and import responses for industrial chemicals, risk assessment, and development of a country strategy for the management of a specific chemical using the Rotterdam Convention Resource Toolkit. The Workshop served as a useful platform for networking with the key stakeholders  involved in the management of  industrial chemicals in the country.

 
 

Group shot of all the participants at the Workshop including Ms. Gardiner, EPPD, Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources (front row, 3rd from the right)

Inception Workshop of the new forest and PA project

In June 2012, the Global Environment Facility (GEF) approved the development of a project on ‘Improving Forest and Protected Area Management in Trinidad and Tobago’ worth US$2.79 million, to cover this biodiversity focal area. A project preparation grant of US$119,000 was subsequently approved in September 2012. The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has been given the lead to develop the project document by August 2013, in collaboration with relevant departments in Trinidad and Tobago and in consultation with diverse stakeholders, for submitting to GEF for endorsement.

The project’s Inception Workshop was held during October 31 to November 01, 2012 at Rudranath Capildeo Learning Resource Centre in Couva, and was the first step in a series of consultations with relevant stakeholders. The workshop was geared at creating awareness among national stakeholders about the project, and soliciting their feedback to assist in designing the project.

Senator the Honourable Mr Ganga Singh, Minister of Environment and Water Resources delivered the keynote speech at the event, welcoming stakeholders and inviting their valuable input in the event’s proceedings. Approximately 125 participants were informed through presentations on various technical aspects of the project at this workshop. Stakeholders also actively participated in several group discussions, focusing on the project components and project preparation activities. The comments and contributions at these groups were then recorded and will be useful for planning various project activities and collecting the baseline data needed for preparing the project document. 

Senator the Honourable Mr Ganga Singh delivering his keynote speech at the Inception Workshop

Relevant outcomes of the deliberations are summarised in the Inception Workshop Report below. The presentations delivered at the Workshop have also been condensed into the 'Presentation slides.'

Inception Workshop Report
Presentation Slides

MEA Focal Point Sensitisation Session

The Multilateral Environmental Agreements Unit (MEAU) of the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources hosted a one day Sensitisation and Capacity Building Session on September 19, 2012 at the Centre of Excellence, Macoya. The purpose of the session was to sensitize all stakeholders from ministries, Government agencies, academic institutions, industry and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) on the MEAs under its purview.

Cross-section of the sensitisation session

The event was well attended by over 100 Focal Points, who are persons nominated to represent relevant stakeholders from the various sectors. In the Ministry’s endeavour to build a comprehensive Focal Point Network, the initial stage of engagement at this session was focused on raising awareness, sensitising and informing the stakeholders of the current MEAs and its Projects which are currently overseen by the MEAU. The Session also emphasised the importance of each Focal Point’s role in the success of environmental management from a holistic view to fulfil Trinidad and Tobago’s mandates and responsibilities under the Conventions it is signatory. 

The session commenced with introductory remarks by the Minister of the Environment and Water Resources, Senator the Honourable Mr Ganga Singh and opening remarks by Head of the MEAU, Mr Kishan Kumarsingh, as well as the official launching of the MEA booklet for stakeholders. The day was then focused on an introduction to the various MEAs under the purview of the MEAU and several of the ongoing specialised projects which contribute toward the fulfilment of our national obligations. 

Senator the Honourable Minister of the Environment and Water Resources Mr Ganga Singh emphasises the importance of the focal point network and collaboration in achieving national results

Climate Change was first on the agenda with an introduction to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and its Kyoto Protocol, followed by a brief overview of two projects: Mainstreaming Climate Change into National Development and Capacity Building for Participation in Carbon Markets; and the Elaboration of a Strategy for the Reduction of Carbon Emissions in Trinidad and Tobago.

The National Ozone Unit also provided an overview on the Montreal Protocol and the projects currently being executed with its stakeholders. Subsequent to this, the Convention on Biodiversity (CBD) and its Cartagena Protocol and the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) were introduced, highlighting their national relevance and importance. Conventions that fall within the Waste and Chemicals cluster were also addressed, including the Basel, Rotterdam, and Stockholm Conventions. An outline of the national project entitled Initial Assistance to Enable Trinidad and Tobago to fulfil its Obligations under the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) was then presented, followed by the Basel Convention Regional Centre for Training and Technology Transfer for the Caribbean Region, providing information on their responsibility and mandates as a Regional Centre.

A focus group sharing their views on the role of the focal points during the thematic discussions

Proceedings were then focused on interaction and feedback from the participants, with a working session that highlighted the MEAs within the national context for Sustainable Development. The participants were then separated into constituencies along the respective Convention themes that seemed to be a best fit for their organisation, and were allowed to express their views on the day’s events, provide feedback on a previously distributed survey and discuss any matters arising out of the Sensitisation Session. 

Focal point from the Tobago House of Assembly airing her concerns during one of the question and answer sessions throughout the day

The event proved very useful and will be followed up with engagement opportunities for the Focal Points. Further to this, the MEAU continues to increase and improve on the Focal Point Database and examine different methods for continued communication and capacity building. This is to ensure the success of this network and information exchange to foster comprehensive national communication at the Conventions to which Trinidad and Tobago is a signatory.

Below are the presentations and information from the MEA Focal Point Sensitisation Session:

• MEAs Booklet
• Introduction to UNFCCC and Kyoto Protocol
• Project: Mainstreaming Climate Change into National Development and Capacity Building for Participation in Carbon Markets
• Project: Elaboration of a Strategy for the Reduction of Carbon Emissions in Trinidad and Tobago
• Introduction to the Montreal Protocol and the National Ozone Unit
• Introduction to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification
• Introduction to the Convention on Biological Diversity
• Introduction to the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions
• Project: Development of a National Implementation Plan for the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants
• Introduction to the Basel Convention Regional Centre for Training and Technology Transfer for the Caribbean
• MEAs and Sustainable Development
• MEA Questionnaire Feedback

 

GEF ECW in Antigua

Antigua and Barbuda, 8 - 10 May, 2012

The EPPD recently participated in the Global Environment Facility’s (GEF) Expanded Constituency Workshop (ECW) in Antigua and Barbuda on May 8 - 10, 2012. Approximately 75 technical experts from the Caribbean region participated in the Workshop. 

The ECW is a component of the GEF Country Support Programme and brings together GEF focal points, focal points from major Conventions (Biodiversity, Desertification, Climate Change and Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs)), representatives from civil society, and representatives from the GEF Secretariat and GEF Agencies. 

This year's workshop built on the success of the 2011 ECW, and sought to further strengthen participants knowledge of GEF-5 (the 5th replenishment of resources of the GEF Trust Fund  for the period 2010-2014) programmes, policies, and procedures. The ECW was also an opportunity to discuss priority issues and share lessons learnt from the development and implementation of GEF projects and their integration within national policy frameworks.

The final day of the workshop consisted of site visits to Antigua and Barbuda’s current GEF funded projects.

T&T Delegation (L-R): 
Dr. Joth Singh (EMA), Shamaine Lewis-Collins (MHE), Brian James  (CFCA), Candace Amoroso (MHE), Julius Smith (MHE), Ermath Harrington (CCA) and Neera Singh (MHE)

Mr Julius Smith of the EPPD delivering a group

presentation on behalf of the T&T Delegation