Grenada Hosts Curriculum Development Workshop

St. George’s Grenada, May 23, 2017:  The National Ozone Unit in the energy Division of the Ministry of Finance and Energy hosted the first ever Curriculum Development Workshop in the sub-region for training refrigeration and air-conditioning technicians.

Representatives from the five partner countries participating in the Regional Demonstration Project on Safe handling of low global warming potential (GWP) refrigerants attended the workshop at the Kalinago Beach Resort on Saturday May 20^th, 2017.

The one-day workshop which included a total of ten (10) local and oversea participants, representing state colleges and training institutions, came from the Bahamas, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname and host country Grenada.

The Workshop was facilitated by Mr. Gianfranco Cattabriga, a Consultant with the Centro Studi Galileo, of Italy.  Mr. Cattabriga presented on a wide range of topics that would equip instructors of refrigeration and air-conditioning with modern techniques and approached in delivering high quality information to their students.

The workshop was funded by the Multilateral Fund for the Implementation of the Montreal Protocol on substances that deplete the ozone layer and is implemented by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO). Other major components of this project are: a regional train-the-trainers workshop on handling flammable refrigerants, scheduled for later in the year and the establishment of a regional pilot training centre for flammable refrigerants at the T A Marryshow Community College (TAMCC).

These training initiatives is in line with Grenada and the other participating countries efforts to phase out ozone depleting substances and establish a safe hydrocarbon and other natural refrigerant use culture.

Grenada is Well Ahead of the Montreal Protocol Schedule

NEWS RELEASE

 

Grenada Well Ahead of the Montreal Protocol Schedule

 St. George’s, Grenada, Tuesday, May 23, 2017: Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office with responsibility for Natural Disaster Management and Information, Senator Winston Garraway, in addressing the Annual Network Meeting for Ozone Officers of the English Speaking Caribbean and Haiti held in Grenada on May 17^th, announced that Grenada is well ahead of its Montreal Protocol target in the phase out of Ozone Depleting Substances.  Senator Garraway, indicated that in the phase out of Chlorofluorocarbon (CFC’s), one of the most significant Ozone Depleting Substances, Grenada was able to phase out this group of chemicals in 2006, four (4) years ahead of the Montreal Protocol Schedule of 2010.

He further stated that in the phase out of a new group of Ozone Depleting Substances (ODS), with a much lower ozone depleting potential – Hydroflorocarbons, Grenada is approximately eight years ahead of the Montreal Protocol Schedule.  As a matter of fact Grenada’s current consumption level is where it is expected to be in the year 2025.

Senator Garraway also took the opportunity to outline some of the activities undertaken by the National Ozone Unit (NOU) that has contributed to Grenada’s successful path under the Montreal Protocol. These activities include:

• Training of approximately 80% of Refrigeration and air-conditioning technicians in Good Refrigeration Practices and alternative Ozone Friendly technologies;
• Training of Customs Officers, Trade Officials and the Bureau of standards in Control and Monitoring of Trade in Ozone Depleting Substances;
• Establishment of a licensing and quota system to regulate the importation of ODS;
• Establishment of labeling standards for ODS containers and for the safe use, handling and storage of ODS;
• Establishment of 20 recovery and recycling centers throughout Grenada for ODS management;
• Assistance provided in the upgrade of the curriculum at the T. A. Marryshow Community College (TAMCC) to an Associate Degree Program;
• Establishment of a scholarship program that has so far benefitted 33 students to undertake Certificate and Associate Degree programs at TAMCC;
• Establishment and coordination of the Grenada Refrigeration, Air-condition and Ventilating Association;
• A robust public awareness and education campaign for the major stakeholders

Grenada’s role in the global effort to safeguard the fragile stratospheric ozone layer is exemplary and commendable.  At the international level, Grenada continues to attract world recognition and respect for its performance in the global quest to heal the ozone layer.

Grenada and other parties to the Montreal Protocol are now preparing to ratify the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol agreed to at the 28^th Meeting of the Parties in Kigali Rwanda in October, 2016. The Kigali Amendment on hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) commits the world’s nations to significantly reduce consumption and production of HFCs by 2050.

Kigali Amendment gathers momentum from Caribbean Ozone Officers

St. George’s, Grenada:  May 22, 2017: At the recently concluded Annual Sub-Regional Meeting for the Ozone Officers of the English Speaking Caribbean and Haiti held in Grenada from May 17-19, National ozone Officers from thirteen (13) Caribbean countries met and discussed at length issues surrounding the recently agreed Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol and its implications for low volume consuming (LVC) countries.

Over the three days of the meeting, the Ozone Officers examined thoroughly the key areas of the Kigali Amendment and held discussions on Decision XXVIII/2 of the Twenty-eight Meeting of the Parties (28 MOP). Presentations surrounding these issues were delivered by Dr. Gilbert Bankobeza of the Ozone Secretariat and Mr. Alexandro Ramirez-Pabon of the Multilateral Fund Secretariat (MLFS).  Dr. Bankobeza presented an overview of the Kigali Amendment and Dec. XXVIII/2 and outlined the key steps towards the ratification process. Meanwhile, Mr. Ramirez-Pabon focused his presentation on the outcome of the key Decisions of the specially convened 78^th Executive Committee meeting of the MLFS which focused primarily on the Kigali Amendment.

Ozone Officers were also engaged in discussions with regional organizations -the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Commission and the CARICOM Secretariat on establishing partnerships in addressing the implementation of the Kigali Amendment.  Representatives from the Hotel and Tourism sector were also part of the discussion since that sector is a major consumer of HFCs in the region.  There was also the chance to discuss potential financing opportunities with Mrs. Helen Picot representing the Kigali Cooling Efficiency Program (K-CEP).

After the three days of intense discussion, National Ozone Officers agreed that they now have a greater understanding of the Kigali Amendment and are better prepared to advance its ratification and address the first set of control measures for HFCs.

The National Ozone Unit Hosted Successful Ozone Officers Meeting

St. George’s Grenada, May 22^nd, 2017.  National Ozone Officers from the Sub-Regional Network of the English Speaking Caribbean and Haiti, met in Grenada from May 17-19, 2017 at the Kalinago Beach Resort,     to discuss a wide range of topics and to strengthen the capacity of Ozone Officers in addressing matters of the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer.

Participants attending this annual meeting represented thirteen (13) of the fourteen (14) member countries of the Caribbean Network – Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Guyana, Haiti, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, S. Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago and host country Grenada. Also attending the meeting were Implementing Agencies such as United Nations (UN) Environment, the United Nations Development Organization (UNDP) and bilateral partners, such as, the OECS Commission and CARICOM.

A wide range of topics were discussed, among them were:

• The Kigali Amendment to the Montreal protocol
• Capacity Building Tools and Materials for National Ozone Units
• Climate co-benefits of Ozone Depleting Substances (ODS) phase out
• The Kigali Cooling Efficiency Programme
• Partnerships between NOUs and the Hotel and Tourism sector
• Recent decisions of the 77^th and 78^th Executive Committee meetings and the 28^th Meeting of the Parties

During the opening ceremony, Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office, with responsibility for Natural Disaster Management and Information, Senator, Winston Garraway addressed the participants on behalf of the Government of Grenada.  In his remarks, he reiterated the Government of Grenada continued support and commitment towards the implementation of the program and initiatives of the Montreal Protocol. He further lamented on the need for a unified global approach in protecting the environment. Senator Garraway used the opportunity to inform the delegates of the tremendous achievements of the NOU, Grenada, in successfully phasing out ODS.  He announced that Grenada in its phasing out of hydrochlorofluorocarbaons (HCFC) are approximately eight (8) years ahead of the Montreal Protocol schedule and that the current consumption levels of HCFCs is where the country should be in 2025.

The participants were also given a field tour to one of the ammonia plants for industrial refrigeration at the Spice Isle Fish House and to look at Chill Water air conditioning systems at the St. George’s University.

The next annual meeting is scheduled for St. Vincent and the Grenadines in 2018.

Increased Technical Capacity for Grenada in Handling Natural Refrigerant Technology

Mr. Lance Simpson returned to Grenada from Germany on Sunday April 12^th, 2017, having successfully completed a two weeks training program in the application of Natural Refrigerant Technology. He is the third local refrigeration and air-conditioning technician to have received this level of training and further strengthens Grenada’s technical capacity in dealing with emerging technologies in natural refrigerants, namely hydrocarbon, ammonia and carbon dioxide.  This brings to three the number of technicians in Grenada who have received that level of training

All beneficiaries of the training are required to pass on the knowledge gained to other technicians in the industry

One day after Mr. Simpsons’ return, on Monday April 13^th, 2017, he was involved in conducting training and sharing some of the knowledge gained with fifteen local technicians.  This two-hour practical demonstration and training session was focused on Flaring Procedures – Tools and Techniques, a key area of focus when handling natural refrigerants that are flammable.  Mr. Simpson intends to conduct similar training sessions, weekly and to cover other areas such as, Brazing, Safety Procedures using hydrocarbon refrigerants and acetylene gas.

More training opportunities are planned by the National Ozone Unit to utilise the expertise of the technician who have received this training to train other local technicians.  This initiative is part of the Cool Contributions fighting Climate Change (C4) Project in an effort to support Grenada’s Nationally Determined Contributions under the Paris Agreement to tackle climate change.

TRAINING GRENADA’S TECHNICIANS IN ENVIRONMENT FRIENDLY REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS

TRAINING GRENADA’S TECHNICIANS IN ENVIRONMENT FRIENDLY REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS

 

GEORGE’S, GRENADA Thursday, March 16^th, 2017: Grenada will be sending its third refrigeration and air conditioning (RAC) engineer for training in Germany under the Proklima’s “Cool Training” programme in Germany. Mr. Lance Simpson has been selected to participate in the upcoming “Cool Training” programme and will depart Grenada on March 27th until April 7th, 2017. Mr. Simpson is a Professional Mechanical Engineer and has over 25 years experience in the Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) industry.

 

The “Cool Training” initiative is part of the National Ozone Unit’s (NOU) ongoing policy to develop the national capacity and opportunities for Refrigeration and Air-condition (RAC) technicians in gaining international experience in the area of Natural Refrigerant Technology. Already, there has been some adoption of the technology in Grenada, primarily in the domestic refrigeration and small commercial refrigeration sectors. During his time in Germany, Mr. Simpson will be provided with comprehensive knowledge and training for the operation and maintenance of cooling technology using natural refrigerants. The training also involves field trips to innovative enterprises in Germany such as, RAC components manufacturers and, refrigeration plants that use natural refrigerants.

 

Mr. Simpson, who works at Cooling Tech Ltd., is expected to use the knowledge and experience gained from the “Cool Training” to share with the T.A. Marryshow Community College (TAMCC) and RAC technicians in Grenada, as well as assist in the development of national standards for the Safe Use, Handling and Storage of Refrigerants, including flammable refrigerants, since he is also a member of the Technical Committee for Environment at the Grenada Bureau of Standards.

 

The two previous Grenadian participants of the Cool Training Programme, who are both instructors at the TAMCC, are currently sharing their knowledge with their students. The NOU has plans to expose two more technicians to this level of training in Natural Refrigerants, during 2017.

 

Proklima is a programme implemented by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH. Proklima provides technical assistance in the form of capacity building, such as the Cool training program, for developing countries since 1996. It is commissioned by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) to implement provisions of the Montreal Protocol on substances that deplete the Ozone Layer.

 

Funding for Mr Simpson’s participation at the training comes from the International Climate Initiative (IKI) of the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Building and Nuclear Safety (BMUB) through the German-Grenadian project component of the project “Cool Contribution fighting Climate Change (C4)”. This project is executed by the National Ozone Unit (NOU) in the Energy Division of the Ministry of Finance and Energy, in conjunction with GIZ, to promote ozone-and climate friendly technologies in Grenada.

The NOU mourns the passing of Mr. Sebastien Paul of SP’s International Trading

The National Ozone Unit (NOU) and the Energy Division (ED) of the Ministry of Finance and Energy extend condolences to the family of Mr. Sebastien Paul and members of staff of SP’s International Trading on the untimely death of Mr. Paul.

Mr. Paul has been an extremely close stakeholder to both the NOU and the ED, as the sole distributor of Natural Refrigerants in Grenada and as a supplier of Energy Efficient appliances. Mr. Paul and his company’s relationship goes back as far as November 2006 when he first introduced the Abro line of Hydrocarbon Refrigerants to local refrigeration and air-conditioning technicians. Subsequently, this refrigerant has been distributed to several other Caribbean countries. Hydrocarbon refrigerants are favoured over other refrigerants because of their negligible ozone depleting and zero global warming potentials as well as their higher energy efficiency.

SP’s International Trading has always been a very active participant in several of the Hydrocarbon Technology Retrofit Demonstrations held by the NOU and the Energy Efficiency Exhibitions held by the Energy Division to commemorate Energy Week in Grenada.  The Company also worked very closely with the Grenada Refrigeration, Air-conditioning and Ventilating Association (GRAVA) and has been a main supporter of their many activities

This is indeed a huge loss of a great man, with a generous heart.

Mr. Paul died on Friday March 3rd, 2017. May his soul rest in eternal peace.

National Ozone Unit and GIZ launches “Cool Contributions fighting Climate Change” (C4) Project

GRENADA FIGHTS CLIMATE CHANGE

Banner of the ICCAS programme; Photo: ICCAS/GIZ

Tropical storms, floods and rising sea levels threaten the Caribbean island country of Grenada, one of the developing countries deeply affected by the impacts of climate change. Hurricane ‘Matthew’ that severely stroke Haiti in September 2016 left Grenada untroubled. But damages from extreme weather events like in 2004 and 2005 are still visible. The rising sea level is also leading to an erosion of coastlines while hurricanes regularly devastate crucial infrastructure, also disrupting the water supply. The consequences – growing periods of dry spells – have been catastrophic for the people of Grenada.

Since 2012 the Federal Ministry for the Environment (BMUB) supports the project ‘Integrated Climate Change Adaptation Strategies (ICCAS)’ through its International Climate Initiative (IKI). It has been fostering the island state of Grenada in enhancing the resilience of the population and ecosystems that are particularly vulnerable to the effects of climate change. In October 2016, the Government of Grenada held its final consultation for developing a National Climate Change Adaptation Plan (NAP). Following 9 sector-specific consultations throughout 2015/2016, 67 stakeholders from various sectors gathered again to finalize the draft NAP. The NAP process was originally created by the United Nations as an opportunity for countries to plan for robust, sustainable development in the face of climate stress.

In addition, regional representatives from the Caribbean Community Climate Change Center, Jamaica as well as donors attended the national consultation to share their experience and to learn from Grenada’s NAP process. The NAP Global Network, a forum which aims to facilitate international peer learning and exchange, also attended. Its Caribbean lead Alec Crawford commented “While each country’s NAP process is unique, we’re seeing exciting shared lessons emerge about how countries can create and implement these plans to prepare for climate change impacts. Grenada is a very active member of our network, engaging with international peers like Jamaica, Albania and the Philippines to identify its own adaptation path while becoming a regional NAP leader.”

Another effort of the ICCAS project was the official commissioning of the first community based rainwater harvesting system for the local population. With the system a more reliable water supply and improved hygienic conditions can be secured. This offers a new possibility for water production and supply on the islands Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique.

The ICCAS Programme is funded with € 5.2 million by the BMUB as part of its IKI. The pilot programme is implemented jointly by the Environment Division of the Ministry of Education, Human Resource Development and the Environment, Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

A different approach to fight climate change was taken by another IKI project ‘Cool Contributions fighting Climate Change (C4)’. The project’s aim is to reduce and avoid the annual consumption of climate-damaging F-gases. These fluorinated greenhouse gases are used for cooling and air-conditioning and it is estimated that the annual consumption of F-gases will quadruple by 2030.

Participants of the workshop on green cooling in Grenada; Photo: GIZ

For that reason, policy makers, industry representatives and stakeholders from the cooling and climate change sectors in Grenada came together on a day in September for a project inception workshop on green cooling and its relevance for climate change. During the Workshop, the participants together with representatives from the implementing agency, the GIZ, discussed opportunities and challenges of including the refrigeration and air-conditioning (RAC) sector into Grenada’s nationally determined contributions (NDCs) as part of the international climate negotiations. This global project is supported with € 4.7 million through the IKI of the BMUB.

Grenada will benefit directly from the project through the establishment of a detailed inventory of the RAC sector, a set of policy briefs and recommendations for the key policymakers involved in developing the national mitigation strategy to assist them in maximizing the climate mitigation potential in the RAC sector.
Both projects contribute to the implementation of Grenada’s nationally determined contributions.

NATIONAL OZONE UNIT (NOU) STAGES NATIONAL CONSULTATION ON KIGALI AMENDMENT

NATIONAL OZONE UNIT STAGES NATIOONAL CONSULTATION ON KIGALI AMENDMENT

 Wednesday October 26^th, 2016: The National Ozone Unit, Energy Division, Ministry of Finance and Energy conducted a half day consultation to update stakeholders of the Refrigeration and Air Conditioning (RAC) Sector in Grenada on the recently approved Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer.

This landmark agreement that addresses the phase down of production and consumption of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) –a group of potent green-house gases, used mainly as a refrigerant in the RAC sector was adopted during the early morning of October 15^th, 2016, at the recently held 28^th Meeting of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol held in Kigali, Rwanda from October 10^th-16^th, 2016.

At the consultation held at the Ministry of Finance and Energy, the National Ozone Officer, Mr. Leslie Smith, presented to the stakeholders on the outcome of the Kigali Meeting; the key elements of the Amendment and the implications for low volume consuming (LVC) countries such as Grenada.

Among the stakeholders present were representatives from the Grenada Refrigeration Air-conditioning and Ventilating Association (GRAVA), importers of RAC refrigerants and equipment, Customs Officers, T A Marryshow Community College (TAMCC), Trade Officials, the Grenada Bureau of Standards (GDBS) and the National Climate Change Committee (NCCC).

Mr. Smith in his presentation updated the stakeholders on the new procedures adopted for baseline consumption calculation, the freeze date and the HFC phase down obligations for Grenada and other developing countries. In the case of Grenada he outlined that the baseline would be calculated on the average consumption of HFC’s for the years 2020-2022 plus 65% of the HCFC baseline. The freeze year is 2024 and the phase down steps would be to reduce consumption to 90% of the baseline by January 1, 2029, 70% by 2035, 50% by 2040 and 20% by 2045 and thereafter.

The current consumption trend for HFCs for Grenada shows year on year increases. Mr. Smith also discussed the relationship of the Amendment with the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and its Kyoto Protocol as well and the flexibility by which parties can operate. Further, he informed that the amendment is due to enter into force on January 1, 2019.

During the discussion with the stakeholders of the implications of the Amendment for Grenada, a number of issues were highlighted. Among them were:

• The need to impose import restrictions for HFC and HFC based equipment;
• The need to update national legislation to include regulations on HFC control measures;
• Additional training and capacity building for the RAC technicians;
• Availability and cost of alternative low GWP alternatives for all applications;
• Increase awareness and educational activities;
• Establishment of an incentive regime and;
• Development of standards for the RAC sector particularly to address flammable and toxic refrigerants

These issues and other will be addressed in moving forward with a planned program of activities to address the phase down of HFCs

Another Local Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Technician Benefits From training In Germany

Another Local Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Technician Benefits From training In Germany

 

National Ozone Unit: As part of the National Ozone Unit (NOU) ongoing policy to develop the capacity of local refrigeration and air conditioning (RAC) as well as provide opportunities to gain international experience in the area of Natural Refrigerant Technology, senior instructor at the T A Marryshow College (TAMCC), Mr. Michael Cadore left the island on Saturday October 8th, 2016 to attend a two week intensive training program in Germany.

The “Cool Training” for RAC trainers and experts is organized by GIZ Proklima with funding provided by the Government of Germany in collaboration with the BFS Vocational Training Centre in Maintal, Germany. The format of the training would be 70% practical and 30% theoretical.

During the two weeks training from October 10th – 21st, Mr. Cadore and the rest of the participants would be exposed to a wide range of topics including safety consideration when working with natural refrigerants, more specific, hydrocarbons . Hydrocarbons are widely promoted as one of the most suitable replacement for refrigerants that are ozone depleting or with high global warming potential.  Under Grenada’s hydrofluorocarbon (HCFC) phase out management plan (HPMP), natural refrigerant technology has been identified as the technology of choice to leap-frog the high GWP hydrofluorocarbons (HFC) refrigerants .

Mr. Cadore is the second RAC technician from Grenada within the last four months to benefit from this opportunity. Earlier in July, Mr. Henry Frederick also attended the “Cool Training” in Germany.  Mr. Cadore, on his return is expected to work along with the NOU and TAMCC to conduct training in the related area to other technicians in Grenada.  The NOU has identified a number of other local technicians to benefit from similar training opportunities.