Tenth Meeting of the Open-Ended Working Group of the Basel Convention

The tenth meeting of the Open-Ended Working Group (OEWG-10) of the Basel Convention on Controlling transboundary movements of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal was held from 30^th May to June 2^nd, 2016 at the UNEP headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya. 

As a Party to the Basel Convention, Trinidad and Tobago participated and was represented by Ms. Keima Gardiner, Environmental Engineering Specialist of the Environmental Policy and Planning Division. Also in attendance were Dominica who represented the CARICOM Sub-Region along with Trinidad and Tobago as well as observers from Non-Party states, representatives from Basel Convention Regional Centres, academia, industry, IGOs and NGOs. 

Ms. Gardiner (second from the left) participating at the OEWG-10 in Kenya on May 20th—June 2nd, 2016.

Matters discussed included:

• technical guidelines on environmentally sound management of waste
• guidelines for the national reporting on e-waste, used lead batteries and waste oil
• the Cartagena Declaration  with emphasis on technology transfer as proffered by the Group of Latin American and Caribbean Countries (GRULAC)
• the proposed partnership on household waste, and the developments with the World Customs Organisation (*This was important as Trinidad and Tobago has embarked on an exercise to establish an Import and Export Licensing System)

The proceedings at OEWG-10 was a useful platform to monitor the progress of implementation of the decisions adopted at the twelfth meeting of the COP (COP-12), while setting the framework for prioritizing action in preparation for the upcoming COP. As an active participant at this forum, Trinidad and Tobago is in an advantageous position to build on the momentum created and have more profound engagements at upcoming COP in 2017.

Raising the profile of the IFPAM Project

The FAO Improving Forest and Protect Area Management (IFPAM) Project Team submitted an article entitled "New Project tackles protection of our environment" which was published in the Tobago Today Newspaper in their June 1st 2016 edition. The article gives background into the IFPAM Project and an overview into its key objectives being pursued such as participatory management,to ensure that the Project's main objective is attained, i.e. improving the sustainability of protected areas systems in Trinidad and Tobago.

Nariva Swamp and coastal zone Sub-Committee team member conducting a familiarisation field trip at the pilot protected area.

Click here to read the full article.

Bonn Climate Change Conference

The Bonn Climate Change Conference of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) convened from 16 - 26 May, 2016 in Bonn, Germany. 

The Conference encompassed the 44th sessions of the Subsidiary Body for Implementation (SBI-44) and the Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice (SBSTA-44), and the first meeting of the Ad Hoc Working Group on the Paris Agreement (APA-1). Preparatory meetings for the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS) and the Group of 77 and China on 12-13 May, 2016 and 14-15 May, 2016 consecutively.
 

SBSTA-44

The key focus of SBSTA-44 was to:

• continue its work on the methodological issues under the Convention, the Kyoto Protocol and the Nairobi Work Programme on impacts, vulnerability and adaptation to climate change (NWP)
• initiate work on matters mandated by the Paris Agreement including the on the technology framework and modalities for Article 6 of the Agreement (which relates to cooperative approaches and the framework for non-market approaches).

SBI-44

 SBI-44 focused on: 

• continuing  its regular work on implementation, including on mechanisms under the Kyoto Protocol, capacity building, gender, and national adaptation plans (NAPs) 
  
• initiating work on matters mandated by the Paris Agreement including the development of modalities and procedures for a public registry for Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), and for adaptation communications.

APA-1 

The main intent of APA-1 was:

•  adopting a programme of work as mandated by the Paris Agreement
• coming to conclusions to further work on guidance for mitigation
• determining guidance for NDCs including information to facilitate their clarity, transparency and understanding and accounting for NDCs as well as further guidance for adaptation communications and for the transparency framework;
• discussing matters relating to the global stocktake; including potential modalities as well as  modalities and procedures for compliance; and preparation for the entry into force of the Paris Agreement.