Celebrating 10 years of Kigali Implementation

 

World Ozone Day 2026

On this International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer, Trinidad and Tobago joins the global community in celebrating the power of collective action to protect life on Earth. This year’s theme, “Global action for a cooler planet”, also marks ten years since the adoption of the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol, connecting ozone protection with the urgent need to address climate change.

For Trinidad and Tobago, sustainable cooling is essential to our development. Refrigeration preserves the food produced by our farmers and fishers, safeguards medicines and vaccines, and supports businesses across both islands. Air conditioning contributes to comfortable homes, productive workplaces and reliable healthcare services. Our responsibility is to meet these needs while reducing energy consumption and the environmental impacts of the refrigerants we use.

Our HCFC Phase-out Management Plan has supported reductions in the consumption of ozone-depleting refrigerants, building on the 35 per cent reduction achieved by 2020. Stage II advances this transition towards near-complete phase-out by 2030 with more than 80% phased out from the national baseline achieved. This work combines import controls, technician training, improved servicing practices and support for alternative technologies.

Alongside this effort, our Kigali Implementation Plan supports the phase-down of hydrofluorocarbons, or HFCs. These substances do not deplete the ozone layer, but many are powerful greenhouse gases. Following the commencement of the HFC consumption freeze in 2024, national implementation is focused on the first reduction target of 10 per cent below the established baseline by 2029. Our licensing and quota system, supported by coordinated border controls, provides an essential foundation for this transition.

A major policy achievement was the completion of the National Cooling Strategy which implements a coordinated approach that connects cooling demand, energy efficiency, refrigerant selection and national development priorities. Work on minimum energy performance standards, energy labelling and a national product registry will further support informed purchasing and the introduction of more efficient equipment.

The national standard TTS 663:2023, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Sector - General Requirements, also provides an important technical foundation. It addresses installation, maintenance, refrigerant recovery, safety, training and certification, including requirements relevant to natural and flammable refrigerants.

Investment in people remains central to this progress. Through partnerships with training institutions and the Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Industry Association, technicians across Trinidad and Tobago have received training in good refrigeration practices, energy efficiency and the safe handling of alternative refrigerants. Recent training in Tobago has helped extend access to these skills, while professional certification and curriculum development continue to strengthen the sector.

Trinidad and Tobago is also advancing the management of refrigerants throughout their useful life. The national ODS and HFC Banks Survey and associated action planning are helping identify substances contained in equipment and the opportunities for recovery, recycling, reclamation and environmentally sound disposal. Digital monitoring pilots are exploring how better information can improve cooling performance and maintenance.

On World Ozone Day 2026, let us renew our commitment to cooling that protects our health, strengthens our economy and safeguards our environment. Through sustained national effort and international cooperation, Trinidad and Tobago can help turn global action into a cooler, more secure future for generations to come.

World Ozone Day Awareness at the International Coastal Clean up

World Ozone Day Awareness was an important part of the International Coastal Cleanup, highlighting the vital role the ozone layer plays in protecting life on Earth from harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Through the cleanup activity, awareness was raised about reducing pollution, properly disposing of waste, and making environmentally responsible choices. The initiative reminded everyone that small actions, such as keeping beaches clean and reducing harmful pollutants, can contribute to a healthier planet for present and future generations.

Strengthening Trinidad and Tobago’s Cold Chain Through Energy Efficiency

As part of the GEF 6 Energy Efficiency Project, chiller equipment at the National Agricultural Marketing and Development Corporation (NAMDEVCO) has been replaced with more energy-efficient technology, supporting improved performance and greater sustainability across the cold chain.

The initiative demonstrates how investments in energy efficiency (EE) can deliver multiple benefits. More efficient refrigeration equipment can reduce electricity consumption and operating costs, improve system reliability, and help facilities maintain the temperatures needed to safely preserve fresh produce. At the same time, lower energy demand contributes to reduced greenhouse gas emissions and supports Trinidad and Tobago’s transition toward a more sustainable and climate-resilient economy. 

The upgrade also supports the objectives of the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer, which has evolved to address the climate impact of certain refrigerants through the Kigali Amendment. By promoting efficient refrigeration and the transition toward more climate-friendly technologies, projects like this help advance both ozone protection and climate action.

For NAMDEVCO, the benefits extend beyond the equipment itself—helping to build a more efficient, reliable and environmentally responsible cold chain while demonstrating the value of energy-efficient technologies in reducing energy use and environmental impacts.