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.