The National Ozone Unit through the GEF Energy Efficiency in RAC Project facilitated an Introduction train-the-trainer presentation on R290 Split Unit Air Conditioners. Several training schools were educated on manipulation of the R290 Training Units and the supporting theoretical content.
The National Ozone Unit continues its outreach to educate and inform the public and officials on ozone and climate friendly issues. A sensitization session was held for the Properties and Real Estate Division, and other Government agencies on the work of the ozone unit, green procurement and ozone friendly practices.
The National Ozone Unit held a stakeholders Forum to update the sector on ongoing Ozone Activities as well as to inform of the upcoming requirements for the HFC phase down beginning in 2024.
Congratulations to our recertified RAC Technicians in Tobago
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The National Ozone Unit continued its sensitization of our Border Control Officers with a session for the Trade Licensing Unit. Officers were refreshed on refrigerant, legislative controls and the upcoming requirements under the Kigali Amendment.
Trinidad and
Tobago is continuing its thrust toward sustainable cooling. Cooling is a
critical element for the sustainability and development of the economy.
It is required to ensure homes, offices, and cars are comfortable; industrial
processes run safely and efficiently, and societies have preserved foods and
vaccines for their population. Notwithstanding being identified as essential,
cooling also has a significant adverse environmental impact. The cooling
technology used for refrigeration and air conditioning (RAC) mainly utilize
synthetic refrigerants that can either deplete the ozone layer or contribute to
global warming and climate change. As the effect of climate change such
as increases in temperature continue to be experienced worldwide, the demand
for cooling also continues to increase, there is therefore an urgent need to
cut cooling related pollution and energy wastage.
Site Visits by International District Cooling Specialists
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The Thirty fourth (34th) Meeting of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer (MOP34) marked the 35th anniversary of the Protocol, where delegates convened from 31 October – 4 November 2022 in Montreal, Canada.
The Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago was represented at the 34th Meeting of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol by Dr. Marissa Gowrie, Deputy Environmental Manager/National Ozone Officer, National Ozone Unit, Environmental Policy and Planning Division, Ministry of Planning and Development; and Mr. Jonathan Bolai, Ozone Specialist, Environmental Policy and Planning Division, Ministry of Planning and Development for the Meeting.
MOP 34 opened with a preparatory segment on Monday 31st October. This segment addressed the substantive agenda items and organization of work that was brought forward from the 44th meeting of the Open-ended Working Group of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol (OEWG 44) held in Bangkok, Thailand.
Delegates worked tirelessly throughout the week, utilizing the established contact groups, plenary sessions and bilateral consultations to build on their achievements made towards the Protocol and raised ambition to meet new challenges. The High Level Segment was opened Thursday November 3rd and concluded early Saturday morning, 5th November. While many of the issues required extensive negotiation and, in some cases, significant compromise, by the end of the meeting, parties were able to reach agreement on all issues on the agenda.
Parties adopted 24 decisions, which
included the following:
·
illegal import of certain refrigeration,
air-conditioning, and heat pump products and equipment;
·
identification of gaps in the global coverage of
atmospheric monitoring of controlled substances and options for enhancing such
monitoring;
·
collecting data to understand potential impacts
of the COVID19 pandemic on hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) consumption in developing
countries;
·
strengthening institutional processes with
respect to information on HFC-23 by-product emissions;
·
Strengthening Montreal Protocol institutions,
including for combatting illegal trade;
·
Ongoing emissions of carbon tetrachloride (CTC);
·
Critical-use exemptions (CUEs) for methyl
bromide;
·
Stocks and quarantine and pre-shipment uses of
methyl bromide;
·
Enabling enhanced access and facilitating the
transition to energy-efficient and low or zero-global-warming-potential (GWP)
technologies; and
· Financial reports and budgets.
Key issues of consideration for
Trinidad and Tobago were topics on energy efficiency, the terms of reference
for study on the MLF replenishment for the triennium 2024-2026, Implementation
of the Kigali Amendment, safety standards and end of life-management of
refrigerants. Additionally Trinidad and Tobago also participated as a panelist
at a side event on rising up for Small Island Developing States: Challenges and
Opportunities towards sustainable cooling and efficient cold chain. This forum,
provided an opportunity for Small Island Developing States to share experiences
in addressing cold chain and cooling needs which transcended into issues of
food security and the needs for sustainable cooling solutions that overcome the
issues of accessibility, availability and electrical compatibility. Recognition
was also given to Trinidad and Tobago on their excellent stewardship in
protection of the ozone layer which is reflected within the publication of the
35th Montreal Protocol Anniversary: Protecting the Ozone Layer, book
launch.
Thank you all for being part of this programme and your continued efforts to promote good refrigeration practices and protect the ozone layer!
