Consultants Needed for Forest and Protected Area Management Project in Trinidad and Tobago!

The Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources as the National Focal Point for the Convention on Biological Diversity and the Convention to Combat Desertification was assisted by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) to develop a project proposal entitled “Improving Forest and Protected Area Management in Trinidad and Tobago”.

The four (4) year project is intended to conserve biodiversity in the country by setting up a protected areas system and enhancing capacity and finance for conservation management. It will also assist in the implementation of the new National Forest Policy and the National Protected Areas Policy.

The FAO is inviting suitable candidates to submit their applications for consultancy positions to provide baseline data on technical aspects of the project and inputs into the design of the project components to be used for completion of the full project proposal. 

Deadline for applications is Thursday 24^th January, 2013.

Consultancy positions include:

• Biodiversity Specialist (Team Leader)
• Expert, Legal and Institutional Reform 
• Environmental Economist
• Socio-Economic Specialist 
• Expert, Monitoring and Evaluation of Protected Areas

>> For more information, visit http://coin.fao.org/cms/world/trinidadandtobago/Vacancies.html

The Hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) Phase-Out

Trinidad and Tobago acceded to the Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer, and the Montreal Protocol for the Phase-out of Ozone Depleting Substances (ODS) in 1989. Our country was the first of the Caribbean Commonwealth to become a party to this Multilateral Environmental Agreement and has since ratified  all amendments to the Protocol.

Subsequent to the accession, the National Ozone Unit (NOU) was established in August 1997 within the Environmental Policy and Planning Division. This unit ensures that the country meets the obligations under the Protocol.  The efforts of the Unit over the years have resulted in the phase out of:

i. All ozone depleting substances (ODS) used in the fire protection sector (halons)

ii.Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) used in the foam and aerosol sectors 

iii.The imports of all CFCs as of December 31, 2007.

Hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) was one of the chemicals used as a transient replacement for CFCs because the potential level of damage to the ozone layer was less than that caused by CFC use. However, given the increase in usage of HCFC on the global market and the consequent threat to the ozone layer, a landmark decision was made at the 20th Anniversary Meeting of the Montreal Protocol to accelerate the phase out of HCFCs.

Under this accelerated phase out schedule, the following was revised:

The phase out of HCFCs in Trinidad and Tobago began on January 1, 2013. Even though we do not produce any ozone depleting substances, our consumption is based on our imports. As a result, these chemicals are listed on the country's import negative list and require and import license from the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Investment. 

The Draft Wildlife Policy is out for comments!

The Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources, in collaboration with the Forestry Division, has recently developed a Draft Wildlife Policy for Trinidad and Tobago. 

The Draft Policy seeks to provide guidance on the sustainable management of wild animals and plants, whether migratory or found locally. 

Sustainable management also applies to wildlife body parts and/or products derived from wildlife as well as their habitats. The Policy addresses issues related to the endangerment and management of threatened species. It also focuses on key policy issues related to the management of game species and the engagement of civil society in wildlife management.

We welcome the public to review and provide comments on the Draft National Wildlife Policy and/or attend one (or more) of the four public consultations to be held across Trinidad and Tobago during  January and February 2013:

SOUTH (South Academy of Performing Arts)	January 28, 2013; 1-6 p.m.
EAST (Sangre Grande Civic Centre)	January 30, 2013; 1-6 p.m.
NORTH (Centre of Excellence)	February 20, 2013; 1-6 p.m.
TOBAGO (Works Division, Shaw Park)	February 27, 2013; 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

 

» For more information on how to review and submit your comments, attend public consultations or locate distribution centres for hard copies of the Draft Wildlife Policy,  please click here or visit www.biodiversity.gov.tt.

Wildlife is We Ting!