Trinidad and Tobago participation at the Virtual Combined Twelfth Meeting of the Conference of the Parties (part I) and Thirty-Second Meeting of the Parties during the period November 23-27, 2020.

The Virtual Combined Twelfth Meeting of the Conference of the Parties (part I) and Thirty-Second Meeting of the Parties to the Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer and its Montreal Protocol is being held during the period November 23-27, 2020.

The final report of the Technology and Economic Assessment Panel (TEAP) on the evaluation of the Critical Use Nominations (CUN) with the final recommendations on the critical-use exemptions will be presented. The issues relating to membership of Montreal Protocol bodies and replenishment for the next triennium will also be addressed. Several Side Events are also planned to explore the latest development in refrigeration and air conditioning technologies as Parties continue toward the implementation  of the Kigali Amendment and the phase down of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs). Trinidad and Tobago will begin this phase down in 2024.

The Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago is being represented at the Virtual Meeting by the following delegation: Dr. Marissa Gowrie Deputy Environmental Manager/National Ozone Officer (Head of Delegation) and Mr. Jonathan Bolai Ozone Specialist (Delegate).

Virtual Training of Officers of the Customs and Excise Division

The National Ozone Unit conducted virtual training of officers from the Customs and Excise Division on Thursday November 19, 2020. The session provided these border control agents with updated knowledge related to the Montreal Protocol and national implementation.

Inception Workshop for Grant Funded Global Environmental Facility - Energy Efficiency through the Development of Low-carbon RAC Technologies in Trinidad and Tobago

We have officially begun! The inception workshop for the largest ever grant funded national project under the Global Environmental Facility (GEF) entitled “Energy Efficiency through the Development of Low-carbon RAC Technologies in Trinidad and Tobago” was successfully  held virtually on Wednesday November 18, 2020.  Mrs. Joanne Deoraj Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Planning and Development delivered the welcome remarks on behalf of the Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago and Ms. Randi Davis Resident Representative United Nations Development Programme Trinidad and Tobago, Aruba, Curaçao and Sint Maarten also brought greetings.

The overall goal of this US$5.152 Mn four year project  is to create a sustained market change towards the adoption of low-carbon Refrigeration and Air Conditioning (RAC) technologies in Trinidad and Tobago, which will deliver multiple benefits at the local, regional and global levels. It will also assist this country in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals in particular those related to climate change, and ensuring access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy.  Additionally, it will aid this country in keeping its international commitments under the Montreal Protocol and United Nations Framework Convention to Combat Climate Change (UNFCCC). This will be achieved through the integration of energy efficient Refrigeration and Air Conditioning technologies that would reduce the use of high Global Warming Potential (GWP) and Ozone Depleting Substance (ODS) refrigerants. 

The National priorities under this project are to:

(a)     Promote a resilient whole-of-government approach to disaster risk management and strengthen capacities to reduce risk and build community resilience to disasters especially within vulnerable groups;

(b)     Promote energy efficiency and the efficient use of resources for increasing energy security through alternative energy technologies, renewable energy and encouraging private sector investment in areas such as low carbon technologies; and

(c)     Develop climate change adaptation and mitigation strategies to safeguard those most affected.

The project has been organized into the following components:

·         Strengthening the national policy, regulatory and institutional frameworks for Energy Efficiency (EE) gains for RAC technologies

·         Enhancing the investment path along the RAC market chain

·         Implementation of an investment portfolio on replacement of energy intensive technologies; and

·         Development of an information strategy to share knowledge gained, lessons learned and best practices developed.

The project, led by the National Ozone Unit - Environmental Policy and Planning Division, Ministry of Planning and Development, will utilize a public-private partnership approach engaging a diverse group of stakeholders, including but not limited to, Government Ministries, Public Agencies, Academia and Civil Society Organisations (CSOs). The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) that will be a fundamental partner for the overall implementation.

It is expected that the project will provide global environmental benefits in terms of direct emission carbon dioxide equivalent (tO2eq) savings of at least 644,396 tCO2eq over the 4 year period.

Stakeholder Meeting for HFC and HC Importers on Regulatory Updates

 

Trinidad and Tobago is signatory to the Montreal Protocol and as such regulatory controls for the import and export of ozone depleting gases are required by the country. This is currently effected through the Import and Export Negative Lists which require a license for the import and export of all refrigerant and related equipment.

 In an effort to ensure the Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Sector is fully informed of all requirements, the National Ozone Unit held a Virtual Stakeholder Meeting to discuss the updated requirements for the import and export of hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) and hydrocarbon (HC) refrigerant for Trinidad and Tobago on November 9, 2020. The Trinidad and Tobago Bureau of Standards and the Pesticide and Toxic Chemicals Inspectorate were also present at the Meeting. A Meeting on this subject matter was also held on November 6, 2020 with the Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Association.

 The following was noted 

• The Pesticide and Toxic Chemicals Inspectorate (PTCI) ensure that all pesticides used within Trinidad and Tobago meet international standards and also ensure that the premises where these items are used and stored meet the established regulations.  Also, workers and the environment are monitored to ensure that any exposure is within established international limits.  The PTCI operates as a unit under the Chemistry, Food and Drugs Division.
• The legal framework for the operations of the Inspectorate is the "Pesticides and Toxic Chemicals Act, No. 42 of 1979" (Amended - Act No. 11 of 1986 and No. 2 of 2004) and its Regulations, known as the "Pesticides (Registration and Import Licensing) Regulation of 1987". HFC and HC fall under the purview of Schedule 1 of this Law.
• This Law has long been in existence and will now be implemented to assist country to meet obligations under Kigali Amendment.
• This will be an additional level of surveillance that has already been in existence. However due to Kigali Amendment, stricter enforcement will take place as January 1st, 2021. 
• From Jan 1 2021- All importers for HFC and HC will now also
  require a chemical license from PTCI for import
• This will be required by the Ministry of Trade and Industry Licensing Unit when applying for import and export license
• For certain quantities a Premise License may also be required. (PTCI will be reviewing all imports to determine marketable quantity and advise stakeholders
• The addition of PTCI does not affect existing protocols and requirements needed for Trinidad and Tobago Bureau of Standards to process import applications. The TTBS will still be responsible for monitoring of all refrigerant, which still requires an importation license. The PTCI adds an additional level of surveillance with respect to HFCs and Hydrocarbons.
• TTBS standards, regulatory and inspection role remains the same