2026 Import and Export Advisory

 

Ozone Awareness

The National Ozone Unit took part in ozone awareness  activities at Fatima Boys College Mucurapo on Nov 18th and the Islamic Center Mucurapo on Nov 26th, 2025. Over 600 students and parents would have attended to gain insight into ozone awareness, sun safety, energy efficiency and advancements in ozone protection. 

 

Training for Refrigeration and AC Technicians

The National Ozone Unit in collaboration with the Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Industry Association (ARIA) conducted training done at the Munroe Road Community Centre for technicians in good refrigeration practice.  Participants were exposed to updated information on safe and environmentally air conditioning and refrigeration friendly practices, recovery of refrigerant and new refrigerant such as hydrocarbon refrigerant. 

Stakeholder engagement for the development of a business model for refrigerant collection and reclamation.

The National Ozone Unit through the GEF Project to Improve Energy Efficiency facilitated by the United Nations Development Programme conducted a stakeholder engagement for the development of a business model for refrigerant collection and reclamation.

This initiative being implemented in collaboration with the Trinidad and Tobago Bureau of Standards (TTBS) seeks to establish a pilot system for the safe collection, recovery, recycling, and destruction of unwanted ozone depleting substances (ODS) and high global warming potential (GWP) refrigerants. This initiative will help minimize uncontrolled emissions, promote a circular economy approach in refrigerant management, and safeguard environmental and public health.

Trailblazer Alert: Congratulations to Ms. Haivel-Ann Boodram - The First Female Appointed to the Board of the Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Industry Association of Trinidad and Tobago

The National Ozone Unit extends heartfelt congratulations to Ms. Haivel-Ann Boodram RSES CM, Director and Professionally Certified Refrigeration and Air Conditioning (RAC) Technician at Heroes Air Conditioning Services Limited on her momentous appointment as the first female member of the Board of the Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Industry Association (ARIA) in Trinidad and Tobago.

This milestone marks a significant moment not only for Ms. Boodram but also for the wider industry, as it reflects progress toward greater inclusivity and diversity in leadership within the rRAC sector. With her extensive expertise, commitment to excellence, and passion for innovation, Ms. Boodram’s appointment signals a bright future for the Association as it continues to strengthen standards, sustainability, and professional development across the RAC field.

Her achievement serves as an inspiration to women and young professionals nationwide proving that dedication, skill, and vision can break barriers and reshape industries. We look forward to seeing the transformative impact Ms. Boodram will bring to the Board and to the continued advancement of Trinidad and Tobago’s refrigeration and air conditioning industry.

Congratulations once again, Ms. Boodram! Your success paves the way for many others to follow. 

Launch of the GEF 6 Energy Efficient Chiller at the Office of the Prime Minister

The Honourable Prime Minister of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago has launched an energy efficiency low global warming potential chiller installed at the Office of the Prime Minister as part of the Global Environment Facility (GEF) grant funded project entitled “Energy Efficiency through the Development of Low‑Carbon Refrigeration and Air Conditioning (RAC) Technologies in Trinidad and Tobago.” The project is facilitated by the United Nations Development Programme and is overseen by a Project Steering Committee which is led by the Environmental Policy and Planning Division of the Ministry of Planning, Economic Affairs and Development.

This project which began in 2020 and is scheduled to be completed in the first quarter of 2026, aims to ensure compliance with Trinidad and Tobago’s obligations under the Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer and its Montreal, as well as the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). The cooling industry alone accounts for a substantial portion of electricity consumption in commercial and Government buildings, making it a critical area for intervention in this country’s climate mitigation efforts. Some cooling technologies also use refrigerant that are harmful to the earth’s natural ultraviolet (UV) shield known as the ozone layer, and as such these chemicals are being phased out.

Aside from supporting the reduction of ozone depleting and global warming refrigerant use, the project also aims to improve national technical capacity in RAC through training and technology transfer. Additionally, the project has been supporting market transformation towards low carbon, energy efficient RAC technologies through various demonstration initiatives, thereby reducing greenhouse gas emissions and advancing the Sustainable Development Goals.

The demonstration site at the Office of the Prime Minister under the project replaced an obsolete chiller system using refrigerant R134a which is known to contribute to climate change, with a state-of-the-art cooling solution using an ozone and climate friendly refrigerant, R-1234ze. The initiative represents a strategic investment in sustainable infrastructure that will deliver substantial environmental benefits, generate significant cost savings, and position Trinidad and Tobago as a regional leader in utilizing low carbon cooling alternatives. With projected annual emission reductions exceeding an estimated 700 tons of CO2-equivalent over the equipment's lifetime, this demonstration project creates a compelling model for nation-wide adoption of low-carbon cooling technologies.

The new chiller system also features advanced monitoring and diagnostic capabilities, which will significantly reduce maintenance costs and enhance system reliability compared to the existing equipment. Predictive maintenance features, remote monitoring capabilities, and improved component accessibility are expected to also reduce annual maintenance costs by an estimated 20-30% while extending equipment life and improving performance consistency.

Ozone Education at Lakshmi Girls High School

The National Ozone Unit was honoured to be part of the education fair at Lakshmi Girls' High School. Information was shared on ozone protection, sun safety, energy efficiency and sustainable cooling.

Awareness through the Big Sister Programme

The National Ozone Unit was delighted to host young upper school students through the St. Augustine Girls High School Alumnae Big Sister Programme for those interested in the field of environment. These industrious young ladies were exposed to the Montreal Protocol and the projects and programmes implemented by the National Ozone Unit, including the Kigali Implementation Plan, the Energy Efficiency in Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Project funded by the Global Environment Facility and the HCFC Phasedown Management Plan among others.

ODS Banks Presentation at the Caribbean Regional Ozone Depleting Substances (ODS) Banks Workshop for National Ozone Officers and National ODS Banks Consultants

The National Ozone Unit Trinidad and Tobago virtually presented its experience with the implementation of its ODS Banks Project at the Caribbean Regional Ozone Depleting Substances (ODS) Banks Workshop for National Ozone Officers and National ODS Banks Consultants, which took from 6 to 10 October 2025, in Panama City, Panama. Issues discussed included Data Collection for the ODS Bank Survey and the strategic approach for implementation of the project.

Digital Tools in Cooling Project

Trinidad and Tobago through the National Ozone Unit is implementing the Digital Tools in Cooling Project which is funded by the Government of Luxembourg and facilitated by the United Nations Development Programme. The initiative pilots the use of digital and IoT-based technologies to monitor and improve the performance of air-conditioning and refrigeration (RAC) systems.

The project aims to harness digital tools and IoT solutions to enhance climate action in Trinidad and Tobago by improving the energy efficiency of cooling systems and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.  Pilot sites will be engaged to integrate digital monitoring tools, which will serve as a platform to further encourage the use of these technology within the RAC sector.

Public Awareness on Ozone Depletion and Ozone Friendly Practices

The National Ozone Unit is continuing its outreach through talks and hands on engagement. A presentation was given to the students of Tunapuna Secondary School and El Dorado Secondary School on ensuring good refrigeration practices are followed as well as wise choices on purchases refrigeration  and air conditioning equipment. This was followed by the painting of a mural highlighting ozone layer protection.

From Science to Global Action......... Celebrating 40 Years of the Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer

 

https://youtu.be/v5LYCrnZ3yg

Message from the UN Secretary General for International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Day 2025

 

Awareness in the Fire Suppression Sector

As part of the phase down of HFCs under the Kigali Amendment the use of these chemicals in fire suppression is being addressed. HFC 125 and HFC 236fc in particular are used as clean agent fire extinguishants due to their fire suppression performance. A sensitization session was held between the National Ozone Unit and the Fire Service Department to educate on the various alternatives and provide any insight or support needed to these stakeholders during the phase down process.

Summer Camp Ozone Awareness

 The NOU continued our summer youth awareness with sessions at the following camps educating on Ozone Layer Protection.

• Shaw Park
• Speyside
• Mt. Pleasant
• Montgomery
• Courland 
• Patience Hill
• Roxborough