Regional Technical Dialogue on INDCs for Latin American and the Caribbean

The second Regional Technical Dialogue on Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDCs) to the 2015 Agreement under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) for Latin America and the Caribbean took place during the period November 10-12, 2014 in Mexico City. Trinidad and Tobago participated in this Dialogue and was represented by  Ms. Sindy Singh, Research Analyst, Multilateral Environmental Agreements Unit, Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources. 

The objectives of the second dialogue were to:

• Share country experiences with the design and preparation of their Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDCs)
• Share information on challenges being faced and identify lessons learned and best practices to address these challenges 
• Address issues related to the underlying technical basis required to prepare robust, realistic and achievable contributions 
• Identify support needed to reach domestic agreement on contributions and follow-up actions
•  Provide an update on the process of preparing iNDCs and share newly identified challenges. 

 

Various institutions such as the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the UNFCCC, the World Resources Institute (WRI), GIZ  Germany, the New Climate Institute, The European Commission, the United States of  America and  the  Caribbean  Community  Climate  Change  Centre  (CCCCC) were  present and pledged to provide technical and/or financial assistance to the region towards the development of their INDCs. 

There was apprehension in the region regarding the elaboration of the elements of an INDC and it is expected that the decisions from the Conference of the Parties to UNFCCC Lima would address these. At present, most countries are preparing INDCs with mostly mitigation actions. The inclusion of adaptation is a prospect for some but the modalities of this inclusion have not yet been expounded.   However, overall, it was concluded that though the time to prepare the INDCs is very limited, countries do not need to start from the very beginning but can build upon existing policies and actions.

 

 

Preparation of Trinidad and Tobago's 3rd National Communication, INDC and 1st Biennial Update Report to the UNFCCC

The Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago through the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources has received approval from the Global Environment Facility (GEF) for its project entitled “Preparation of Trinidad and Tobago's Third National Communication and First Biennial Update Report to the UNFCCC.”  The project will be implemented through the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

This project seeks to develop the following documentation to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) as part of Trinidad and Tobago’s obligations as a signatory to the Convention:

• Third National Communication (TNC) 
•  First Biennial Update Report (FBUR) 
• Trinidad and Tobago’s Intended Nationally Determined Contribution (INDC)

  

Project outcomes that will be achieved include:  

1. Vulnerability studies for coastal resources in Trinidad and Tobago
2. Development of low carbon emission strategies based on the development of Business as Usual and alternative scenarios for Trinidad and Tobago
3. Development of a greenhouse gas inventory database which will facilitate easy submission of data to the government for the preparation of the National GHG Inventory and it is expected to form part of the Measurement, Reporting and Verification (MRV) framework
4. Gap assessment for finance, technology needs and capacity building initiatives as it relates to climate change. This will facilitate the identification of climate change priority areas, education and awareness, research and institutional strengthening.

YWCATT’s Environmental Education Programme

In October, 2014 The Young Women’s Christian Association of Trinidad and Tobago (YWCATT) once again engaged the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources (MEWR) to give support in the implementation of its environmental awareness programme entitled "Environment: Our Space Our Responsibility".

The  Programme consisted of three one hour sessions with the Form 1 students of Bishops Centenary College, Roberts Street,  Port-of-Spain. The programme is intended to expose young women to environmental education. Representatives of the Environmental Policy and  Planning Division (EPPD) of the MEWR shared their expertise and knowledge on the areas of  Biodiversity, Waste Management, Ozone layer Depletion and Climate Change. 

Ms. Amoroso (left) presenting on Biodiversity at the 1st session of the YWCATT environment programme on October 16th, 2014

The first session which focused on Biodiversity Conservation took place on October 16th, 2014 and was facilitated by Ms. Candace Amoroso (Biodiversity Specialist) and Ms. Anastasia Gordon (Environmental Policy Analyst). 

Environmental Policy Analysts, Mr. Javed Lakhan and Ms. Anastasia Gordon presented on Waste Management including Recycling in Trinidad and Tobago at the second session of the Programme which occurred on October 22, 2014. 

The third and last session of the Programme which centred on  Climate Change and Ozone Layer Depletion took place on October 30, 2014 and was facilitated by Ms. Sindy Singh (Research Analyst) and Ms. Neera Singh (National Ozone Unit) and Ms. Krysten Harris (Associate Professional).

 

Ms. Singh facilitating the last session of the YWCATT’s environment programme on Climate Change on October 30, 2014.