The National Ozone Unit and ARIA delivered an Energy Efficiency and Variable Refrigerant Flow (VRF) Technology in Refrigeration and Air Conditioning (RAC) training at the Metal Industries Ltd on May 23 for technicians. This training was facilitated by the GEF Project promoting Energy Efficiency in RAC.
Trinidad and Tobago is the recipient of financial and capacity building support for various projects from the GEF. The GEF empowers countries in the ownership of the project portfolios and provides project oversight via the hosting of a National Forum. The Environmental Management Authority (EMA) in collaboration with the Ministry of Planning, Economic Affairs and Development hosted a Global Environment Facility (GEF) National Forum on 20 May 2026 at the Hilton Trinidad and Conference Centre.
The National Ozone Unit conducted sensitization of customs officer sharing pertaining information on topics relating to border control for substances controlled by the Montreal Protocol. Issues covered included the Montreal Protocol and ozone depletion, the national policy and regulatory framework for the Kigali Amendment, HS Codes relating the substances under the Montreal Protocol, the Ozone Depleting Substances License and Quota system, illegal trade and use of the refrigerant identifier.
The Digital Tools in Cooling Project in Trinidad and Tobago, funded by the Government of Luxembourg and implemented through a partnership between the Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), aims to promote smarter, more energy-efficient and climate-friendly cooling solutions within the refrigeration and air conditioning (RAC) sector. The project focuses on the use of digital and Internet of Things (IoT) technologies to monitor and improve the performance of cooling systems, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, strengthen energy efficiency, and support Trinidad and Tobago’s commitments under the Montreal Protocol and the Paris Agreement. A key component of the project is the delivery of training for female RAC technicians which took place on May 12 , equipping them with skills in digital cooling technologies, data analysis, remote diagnostics, and energy-efficient system management to foster greater inclusion and participation of women in the RAC industry.
The National Ozone Unit and ARIA delivered an Inverter technology in Refrigeration and Air Conditioning (RAC) training for energy efficiency at the Metal Industries Ltd on May 09 for technicians. This training was facilitated by the GEF Project promoting Energy Efficiency in RAC.
On Wednesday, April 22, the National Ozone Unit (NOU) proudly supported the talented young students of Mohammed’s Preschool during their innovative "Recycled Materials Fashion Show."
To celebrate Earth Day, 30 preschoolers took to the runway to showcase creative outfits crafted entirely from repurposed items. This initiative served as a hands-on lesson in environmental stewardship, transforming everyday waste—such as cardboard, plastic bottles, and old newspapers—into wearable art. By participating in this event, the NOU helped demonstrate to the next generation that "trash" can have a second life, fostering early awareness of sustainability and the importance of protecting our planet.
To assess the potential benefits of climate-friendly cooling, a pilot project was implemented at the True Blue Bay Resort in Grenada, comparing conventional R410A air-conditioning units with highly efficient R290 (propane-based) units. The pilot demonstrates the technical, economic, and climate benefits of transitioning to energy-efficient air-conditioning systems using ultra-low-GWP refrigerants.
Details can be found at the link below:
https://www.green-cooling-initiative.org/news-media/publications/publication-detail/2026/02/06/hotel-pilot-shows-how-r290-cooling-cuts-costs-and-emissions
As countries in the English-speaking Caribbean and Haiti (Caribbean) Region advance toward complete HCFC phase-out and HFC phase down targets, the role of Customs administrations has become increasingly critical. Effective border control, risk profiling, correct application of World Customs Organization (WCO) Harmonized System (HS) codes, verification of quota allocations, and inter-agency coordination between Customs authorities and National Ozone Units (NOUs) are central to ensuring compliance with Montreal Protocol obligations.
While some Caribbean Countries have established HFC License and Quota Systems, operational challenges remain. Small market size, high trade dependency, and regional and international trade flows also increase vulnerability to illegal trade in refrigerants and dependent equipment.
Against this background, United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) OzonAction's CAP team for the Caribbean Region convened the 2026 Caribbean Thematic Meeting from 25 to 27 March 2026. The meeting will focus on strengthening Customs enforcement mechanisms to support effective implementation of the Montreal Protocol and Kigali Amendment.
Objectives and Expected Outcomes
·
Assist the 13 Governments to
maintain their 35% HCFC reduction target and to achieve total HCFC phase out by
2030 as per the Montreal Protocol phase-out schedule and Assist 1 country to
maintain total HCFC phase out
·
Assist 14 Governments with
attaining their 10% HFC phase down target by 2029 as per the Montreal Protocol
phase out schedule
·
Assist 14 Governments with
enhancing their Montreal Protocol Monitoring, Reporting, Verification and Enforcement
(MRVE) systems
· Support countries with enhancing their import/export controls and illegal trade prevention measures
Expected
Outputs
·
Maintenance of the 35%
HCFC reduction target and progress towards the 10% HFC phase down target
·
Strengthened enforcement
of HFC LQS including measures at entry ports
·
Strengthened MRVE
systems supporting risk identification, enhanced LQS implementation and illegal
trade prevention.
· Enhanced collaboration between Customs and NOUs
The Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago virtually participated in the United Nations Environment Programme Regional Office to the 2026 Caribbean Thematic Meeting to Support Regulatory and Policy Frameworks during the period March 25 to 27, 2026 and was represented at the Meeting by Dr. Marissa Gowrie, Deputy Environmental Manager/National Ozone Officer and Mr. Jonathan Bolai, Ozone Specialist, Ministry of Planning, Economic Affairs and Development.
On the occasion of International Women’s Day 2026, UNEP Law Division’s OzonAction and the Montevideo Environmental Law Programme has launched a global campaign honoring the women safeguarding the integrity of the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer, its Kigali Amendment, and the broader environmental compliance and enforcement landscape.
Global commitments under multilateral environmental agreements (MEAs) are translated into concrete national measures. In the case of the Montreal Protocol and its Kigali Amendment, this means establishing legislation, including licensing and permitting systems, allocating quotas, defining import and export controls, monitoring implementation and addressing non-compliance to ensure effective enforcement.
Across MEAs, enforcement starts at the border, where officers prevent the illegal movement of controlled or hazardous substances or trade in protected species. This frontline work requires a combination of regulatory understanding, technical expertise, and real-time decision-making to protect national compliance and global environmental integrity. In the Montreal Protocol and Kigali Amendment context, customs officers use regulatory knowledge, identification skills, and specialized tools to spot irregular shipments of ozone depleting substances (ODS) and hydrofluorocarbons (HFC).
➜ Customs Officers validate licenses, check documentation against national quotas, assess shipment risks, and use refrigerant identifiers to detect undeclared or mislabeled substances before they cross borders. The vigilance of these women helps prevent illegal trade and ensures that licensing and quota systems are upheld.
See some of these officers have been highlight in the link below. Including our own Lilita Narine-Chattergoon from Trinidad and Tobago.
Frontline Champions: Women in Environmental Enforcement | Ozonaction
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This study at the link below assesses the extent of environmental dumping of new room air conditioners (room ACs) in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) and explores this practice’s linkages to cooling access and affordability there. It also examines the current state of the room AC market and energy efficiency policies in the region. Covering 11 countries (Argentina, Barbados, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, the Dominican Republic, Grenada, Jamaica, Mexico, Panama, and Uruguay), the analysis relies on room AC data from 2023 and 2025.
The National Ozone Unit conducted an awareness session and mural at the El Dorado North Hindu School. Students were educated on the ozone layer, new developments under the Montreal Protocol and ways in which they can become ozone and climate friendly.
This was facilitated through the GEF-6 project being implemented by the Ministry of Planning Economic Affairs and Development and supported by the UNDP.
The session aimed to provide:
Under the GEF 6 Energy Efficiency in RAC project , a validation workshop was held with RAC stakeholders to review the findings of the consultant who is developing a RAC disposal scheme. This is coming out of the fact finding workshop which was completed in November 2025.
