Grenada’s Licensing and Quota System for Ozone Depleting Substances is working well.

January 15, 2020, St. George’s, Grenada. Article 5 countries that are parties to the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer are required to have an effective and functioning license and quota system to assist these countries in meeting their phase out of production and consumption of all ozone depleting substances.  Grenada was successful in establishing a License and Quota System in November 2013, to restrict the importation ozone depleting substances (ODS) into the country. (The refrigerant (HCFC 22 or R-22) is the only ODS imported).

The Quota System which regulates the amount of ODS that can be imported by each of the registered importers is distributed to the importers in the preceding year, of the year of import.  These annual import quotas assigned, have been reduced every year (since 2013) to coincide with the Montreal Protocol phase out targets.

Data on importation of ODS from the National Ozone Unit (NOU) indicates that only 64% of the import quota issued in 2019 were used up by the importers.  Further details revealed that of the seven (7) registered importers for importation of ODSs, three (3) companies did not used up any of their quotas while another two (2) did not use up all allocated to them.  However, two companies used up their full quotas.  More information from the NOU also indicates that although the NOU could have issued quotas up to 65% of its baseline, only 33% was issued in 2019.

According to National Ozone Officer, Mr. Leslie Smith, “there is a clear indication that the importation or consumption of ozone depleting substances at the national level is on the steep decline from 15.8 metric tonnes in 2009 to approximately 3.2 metric tonnes at the end of 2019. This is primarily due to the very successful implementation of the licensing and quota system along with the co-operation received from refrigeration and air-conditioning equipment importers in introducing alternative technologies with zero ozone depleting potential (ODP) and low global warming potential (GWP)”.

This consumption level means that Grenada is well ahead of its 65% reduction in relation to the Montreal Protocol’s January 01, 2020 phase out target for Article 5 countries.

 

Grenada’s HCFC Phase-out, well ahead of Montreal Protocol’s target

January 15, 2020, St. George’s, Grenada. The National Ozone Unit (NOU) of Grenada continues to deliver impressive results with regards to the country’s ozone depleting substances (ODS) phase-out obligations under the Montreal Protocol on substances that deplete the ozone layer.

Grenada, considered a very low volume consuming country of ozone depleting substances, established a baseline of 15.1 metric tonnes and a freeze in consumption in the year 2013.  Under the Montreal Protocol’s phase out schedule, Article 5 (developing countries ) are required to achieve a 35% reduction in consumption of their baseline, by January 01, 2020.

Data on consumption of ODS as of January 1, 2020, from the National Ozone Unit (NOU), indicates that the country’s consumption level is well with the Montreal Protocol phase out obligations. According to National Ozone Officer, Mr. Leslie Smith, “Grenada has not only surpassed its 2020 obligations in phasing out ODSs, but is already ahead of it’s 2025 consumption target” (set by the Montreal protocol).  Mr Smith further indicated, that to date, Grenada has phased out approximately 80% of ODSs consumed in the country. Grenada and other Article 5 countries are required to phase out consumption of ODS by 2030. It is projected that the complete phase out of HCFCs in Grenada can occur well in advance of this target.

The NOU recognizes the efforts and contributions of all the National Stakeholders that are responsible for these results. Among them are: importers of RAC equipment and refrigerants, the Customs and Excise Division, the Department of Trade, the Grenada Refrigeration, Air-Conditioning and Ventilating Association (GRAVA), the Grenada Bureau of Standards (GDBS) and the TA Marryshow Community College (TAMCC).

Minister Alvin Dabreo Attends the 84th Meeting of the Executive Committee of the Multilateral Fund for the Implementation of the Montreal Protocol

Montreal, Canada: December 16th, 2019: Honorable Alvin Dabreo, Minister in the Ministry of Climate Resilience, the Environment, Forestry, Fisheries and Disaster Management is attending the 84th Meeting of the Executive Committee of the Multilateral Fund for the implementation of the Montreal Protocol on substances that deplete the ozone layer taking place in Montreal Canad from December 16th – 20th, 2019.

Minister Dabreo is attending in his capacity as President of the Bureau to the 31st Meeting of the Parties.  At the Executive Committee meeting a number of key financial decisions are taken particularly with respect to funding approval for country projects and proposals.  Among the key issues to be discussed at this Executive Committee meeting are, matters relating to the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol, in particular the development of the cost guidelines for the phase-down of HFCs and Energy Efficiency. Another important issue on the agenda for discussion is the implications of integrating the implementation of the HCFC phaseout  and HFC phase down activities.

Also attending the meeting is the National Ozone Officer, Mr. Leslie Smith, who is an elected member of the Executive Committee for the years 2018 and 2019 and representing Grenada from the regional network of Latin America and the Caribbean.

Regional Committee Established for the Formation of an Association of HVAC Technicians in the Caribbean

Georgetown, Guyana. Thursday 5th December, 2019: Heating, Ventilating, Air-conditioning and Refrigeration technicians from across the Caribbean region met in Guyana to attend an Energy efficiency and alternatives Technologies Workshop from December 3rd – 5th, 2019 organised by the National Ozone Action Unit of Guyana in collaboration with the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and the Government of New Zealand.

Also attending the meeting was the National Ozone Officer of Grenada, Mr. Leslie Smith, who seized the opportunity to convene a meeting of the technicians to discuss an “old” issue that has been given “new life”.  The idea of a formation of a Caribbean Association of HVAC technicians was  initiated in Grenada in 2012 and recently discussed at an Expert Group Meeting organised by the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) in Suriname (October 5th, 2019) and more recently at a Caribbean Cooling (C-COOL) Initiative Strategic Workshop for a Regional Consortium in Grenada (October 30th, 2019).

During this special meeting organised in the margins of the Energy Efficiency Workshop, twenty four (24) technicians representing a cross section of thirteen (13) countries across the Caribbean attended. In addition to the issue of the HVAC Association,convener of the meeting, Mr. Leslie Smith identified several other areas for discussion, among them were: the development of a unified curriculum for HVAC-R training at tertiary institutions in the region, the establishment of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Caribbean HVAC associations and the Air Conditioning and Refrigeration European Association (AREA) and a regional licensing system for technicians.

A major outcome of the meeting was the establishment of a Steering Committee with the overall objective of setting up the framework and leveraging financing for the establishment of the regional association of HVAC-R technicians. The steering committee is comprised of the following members:

1. Leslie Smith – Grenada (Chair/Convener)
2. Frederick Beausoleil – St. Lucia (Recording Secretary)
3. Michael Harte – St. Lucia
4. Grantly Parris – barbados
5. Gary Peters – St. Vincent & the Grenadines
6. Vernon Ramjattan – Trinidad & Tobago
7. Patrick Chinedu Ozwuzirike – Guyana

The Committee already held its first meeting in Guyana and discussed among other issues:

• the selection of a Chair and Recording Secretary;
• the development of Terms of Reference (TOR) for its members;
• Distribution of introductory letters to all HVAC-R associations in the Caribbean
• A schedule for virtual meetings of the Steering Committee

The National Ozone Unit of Grenada wishes this Committee well in coordinating activities for regional HVAC-R technicians.

Grenada Participates in Seminar on Energy Efficiency and Alternative Technologies for the Cooling Sector, in Guyana

Georgetown, Guyana. December 4th, 2019. Grenada is participating in a three day seminar on Energy Efficiency and Alternative Technologies for the Cooling sector from December 3rd to 5th, 2019 in Georgetown, Guyana.  The seminar is organized by the National Ozone Unit of Guyana in collaboration with the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and the Government of New Zealand.

The seminar has a strong focus on the use of natural refrigerants in the cooling sector principally hydrocarbon (R-2900) and Carbon dioxide (CO2).  The participants will also visit CO2 and ammonia cooling systems in Guyana. More details will follow.

Global Recognition for Outstanding Performances for Grenada’s Refrigeration and Air-conditioning Technicians

Wednesday November 27th, 2019: With the growing demand for refrigeration and comfort cooling, the choice of technology of refrigeration and air-conditioning equipment and the responsible use of refrigerants has become a critical factor for consideration.

With the entry into force of the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol for the phase down of the high global warming potential hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), developing countries like Grenada are challenged to find suitable alternative refrigerants with zero  ozone depleting and low global warming potential, while at the same time delivering improved energy efficiencies. Many of the alternatives available on the market today have safety issues related to either their flammability, toxicity or high pressure operations.  This situation therefore, calls for the responsible use and management of refrigerants.

In addressing this issue, UN Environment has partnered with the Air-conditioning Heating and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI)  to pilot the global Refrigerant Driving License (RDL) Program. The RDL is a globally recognized and acceptable qualification program for refrigerant management, that is accredited by ten (10) of the world’s leading Heating Ventilating and Air-Conditioning (HVAC) institutions and associations. Grenada was one of six countries selected world-wide to participate in the  (RDL) Program.

The objectives of the RDL program are to:

• Help prepare countries for a smooth transition to alternative refrigerants.
• Increase the safety of practitioners and consumers.
• Promote cost effective services across the Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration (HVAC&R) supply chain network.
• Reduce ozone depleting substances (ODS), as well as greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions

Eight (8) technicians from Grenada participated in the program that consisted of theoretical and practical assessments. In a video message presented by Michael LaGiglia of AHRI during the recognition ceremony, he described the the results from Grenada as been excellent. He went on to say that “there was a 100% pass rate in the practical assessment and  six out of the eight technicians scored more than 75% and are qualified as RDL trainers, while the other two scored from 69 and 74% as are categorized as RDL technicians”. This was the best result recorded globally among the six pilot countries.

All eight technicians were recognized and presented with their certificates and badges at a recognition ceremony organised by the National Ozone Unit. The certificates were presented by the Honorable Alvin Dabreo, of the Ministry of Climate Resilience, the Environment, Forestry Fisheries and Disaster Management.  Minister Dabreo was also elected as President to the Bureau at the 31st Meeting of the Parities to the Montreal Protocol, held in Rome, Italy from November 4th-8th, 2019. Mrs Esther Thomas, Senior Planning Officer in the Ministry of Infrastructure Development, Public Utilities, Energy, Transportation an Implementation also assisted with the presentations and delivered remarks on behalf of the Ministry.

 

 

How Air conditioners can help save the planet.

Please view this video produced by the BBC on this very important topic.

https://www.bbc.com/news/av/world-us-canada-50352588/durwood-zaelke-how-changes-to-air-conditioning-will-fight-global-warming?SThisFB=

Regional Consortium of Refrigeration and Air-condition Instructors sets near and long term priority goals

 

St. George’s, Grenada: Refrigeration and Air-condition training instructors from technical colleges from five (5) Caribbean Cooling Initiative (C-COOL) partner countries joined their counterparts in Grenada during a Strategic Planning workshop to discuss several issues and to share experiences on common challenges  faced across the region.  

The two day workshop, which was organized by the UN Environment , United 4 Efficiency and hosted by the National Ozone Unit (NOU) in collaboration with GIZ, consisted of participants from Barbados, the Bahamas, Dominican Republic, Jamaica, St. Lucia and host country, Grenada. Also participating in the workshop were, Mrs. Loreto Duffy-Mayers, regional coordinator of the C-Cool Project, Giz representatives and the National Ozone Officer of Grenada.

At the end of the two days of discussions, the Consortium of Instructors concluded on some priority objectives for the near term and long term. The priority near term objectives were:

• to develop a harmonized training curriculum across the region equivalent to the CARICOM Vocational Qualification (CVQ)
• Establishment of memorandum of understanding (MOU) between training institutions and National Ozone Units
• Establishment of a communication forum for instructors, technicians and National Ozone Units across the Caribbean
• Revival of Association of technicians
• Strengthening of relationships between national association of technicians and NOU’s

The longer term priority objectives agreed to were:

• establishment of a regional association of technicians
• National and regional licensing system of RAC technicians
• International accreditation of regional training institutions

The consortium agrees to continue this work started and would engage the wider technician groups throughout the region and is seeking the assistance of industry organizations and donor agencies to realize those objectives.

 

 

 

 

A Regional Training Hub Established at TAMCC for Training in Natural Refrigerant Technology

St. George’s, Grenada:  Grenada continues to take on a leadership role in the application Natural refrigerant technology in the refrigeration and air conditioning (RAC) industry. In addition to having some of the most qualified technicians in the region in this area, Grenada continues to forge ahead by being the first and only country in the Caribbean to have commercially available the R-290 unitary air conditioning systems. Already, over 80% of all RAC technicians in Grenada have received some level of training in natural refrigerants, particularly, hydrocarbons.

Hydrocarbons (R-600A, and R290) are two of the natural refrigerants used in Grenada as replacements for the high global warming potential (GWP), fluorinated gases used as refrigerants.  Hydrocarbon refrigerants have an ozone depleting potential (ODP) of zero and a GWP of less than three, in addition to being one of most energy efficient refrigerants use in RAC systems.

On Tuesday October 29th, with support from GIZ and the National Ozone Unit (NOU), training equipment with a combined estimated value of over XCD 100,000 was handed over to TAMCC for the establishment of a Regional hub for the training in Natural Refrigerant technologies (Hydrocarbon, Ammonia and Carbon dioxide). The equipment provided are ATEX approved and is specifically designed to handle flammable refrigerants.  The list of equipment includes: flammable refrigerant leak detectors, recovery machines, vacuum pumps, recovery cylinders, multi-refrigerant identifiers, blower fans, electronic charging scales, r -290 air-conditioners  and quantities of R-600a and R-290 refrigerants among others.

TAMCC with this upgraded facility, would be organizing a number of training opportunities for the Caribbean region as part of the Grenada Cool Training Series in Natural Refrigerant technology, in early 2020.

 

Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)established between T A Marryshow Community College (TAMCC) and GIZ

Jeffrey Britton (L), Marion Geiss (R)

Marion Geiss (GIZ) & Dr. Jeffrey Britton (TAMCC)

St. George’s, Grenada:  During the opening ceremony of the Regional Consortium, Strategic Planning Workshop held in Grenada on October 29th, 2019, a five (5) year memorandum of understanding was signed between Grenada’s leading technical and vocation institution, the T A Marryshow Community College (TAMCC) and the German Agency, GIZ, for strategic co-operation in the area of sustainable training for refrigeration and air conditioning technicians in natural refrigerant technology.

Under this MOU, TAMCC is required to undertake curriculum review and quality assurance as well as training, certification and other support such as making the HVAC lab available for training.   TAMCC also has a responsibility for enhancement of the facility.

GIZ on the other hand would be responsible for provision of natural refrigerant specific tools, assisting in trainer recruitment and capacity development. They would also be responsible for providing training materials and assisting with curriculum development, facility enhancement and public awareness.

The MOU also speaks to the establishment of of an oversight committee that would be constituted with representatives from TAMCC, GIZ and the National Ozone Unit (NOU)

Signing on behalf of TAMCC wa s the Principal, Dr. Jeffrey Britton and on behalf of GIZ, Ms Marion Geiss, Technical Advisor and head of the local GIZ Office.

Grenada Elected President of the Bureau to the 31st Meeting of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol

 

Rome, Italy: Thursday 7th November, 2019: During the opening ceremony of the high level segment of the 31st Meeting of the Parties in Rome, Italy, Grenada was nominated and elected to represent the group of Latin America and the Caribbean as the President, to the Bureau of the 31st Meeting of the Parties of the  Montreal Protocol.

The Honorable Alvin Dabreo, who is the Head of Grenada’s delegation at the meeting and Minister with responsibility for Forestry and Fisheries in the Ministry of Climate Resilience, Environment, Forestry, Fisheries and Disaster Management, will occupy the chair as the President.

As part of Minister Dabreo’s first responsibilities as President, he will be required to to preside over the the meeting of the Parties and conduct the order of business. He would also be responsible for chairing the meeting of the Bureau for the review and approval of credentials of delegates at the meeting.

This is the second time that Grenada has occupied this high profile position at the Meeting of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol. In 2010, Michael Church served as the President to the Bureau of the 21st Meeting of the Parties.

 

National Consultation on Harmonized System (HS) codes for hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs)

Customs Officers receives training in the use of refrigerant identifiers

Thursday October 24th, 2019, St. George’s Grenada:  The National Ozone Unit (NOU) in collaboration with the Grenada Customs and Excise Division has organized a Consultation for importers of refrigerants, customs brokers, trade officials and the Inland Revenue Division (IRD), to discuss a revision to the World Customs Organization (WCO), Harmonized System (HS) codes for hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs).

According to National Ozone Officer, Mr. Leslie Smith, this level of consultation is necessary and timely since the ratification of the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol and its entry into force on January 1st, 2019 requires Grenada to report on consumption of each HFC individually. However, data collection and the implementation of an important and export licensing system  would present a challenge, as the most recent HS Nomenclature 2017 Edition,  does not include individual codes  for HFCs. The next HS edition which will include HS codes for the most commonly traded HFCs and mixtures, will only enter into force in 2022.

Grenada and other early ratifiers of the Kigali Amendment are therefore encouraged to take early innovative and proactive measures at the national level to address this situation. The WCO recommends that countries may insert relevant new additional subheadings in their statistical nomenclature. Countries are therefore recommended to expeditiously insert additional sub-divisions for the HFCs and HFC containing blends to facilitate the collection and comparison of data on the international movement of HFCs and HFC blends controlled under the Montreal Protocol

The consultation would examine this issue thoroughly. During the consultation, the National Ozone Unit will inform the participants on the implications that this could have for Grenada in meeting its reporting requirements under the Kigali Amendment of the Montreal Protocol and future import control measures to be implemented for the importation of HFC refrigerants and their blends. The Customs & Excise Division would also have an opportunity to present for the first time, proposed subheadings, as well as, new breakout codes to be established for the classification of HFCs and their blends.

The consultation is planned for Thursday October 31st, at the National Cricket Stadium from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon.

Ozone hole vigilance still required

The recovery of the ozone layer over Antarctica cannot be taken for granted
and requires constant vigilance. That’s the message from Dr Jonathan Shanklin, one of the scientists who first documented the annual thinning of the protective gas in the 1980s.

This year’s “hole” in the stratosphere high above the White Continent is the
smallest in three decades. It’s welcome, says Dr Shanklin, but we should really only view it as an anomaly. The better than expected levels of ozone have been attributed to a sudden warming at high altitudes, which can occasionally happen. This has worked to stymie the chemical reactions that usually destroy ozone 15-30km above the planet. “To see whether international treaties are working or not, you need to look at the long term,” Dr Shanklin told BBC News.

“A quick glance this year might lead you to think we’ve fixed the ozone hole. We haven’t. And although things are improving, there are still some countries out there who are manufacturing chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), the chemicals that have been responsible for the problem. We cannot be complacent.” Dr Shanklin, along with Joe Farman and Brian Gardiner, first alerted the world in 1985 that a deep thinning was occurring in the ozone layer above Antarctica each spring.

Ozone filters out harmful ultraviolet radiation from the Sun. The team’s discovery, confirming the theoretical predictions of others, led to the Montreal Protocol. This international treaty phased out most of the chlorine- and bromine containing chemicals involved in ozone depletion. At the time, these substances were being used widely as refrigerants, cleaning agents, and as the propellants in aerosol cans.

Source: OzoNews, Volume XIX, 15 October 2019 issue.

Strategic Planning Workshop for a Regional Consortium, to be held in Grenada.

Thursday October 24th, 2019, St. George’s, Grenada. The National Ozone Unit in collaboration with the local GIZ office, will host a Strategic Planning Workshop for a Regional Consortium to address several  common issues facing the heating, ventilating, air conditioning and refrigeration (HVAC-R) industry in the Caribbean.

The two-day workshop is planned for Tuesday October 29th to Wednesday October 30th, at the TA MArryshow Community College (TAMCC). This workshop is part of the Caribbean Cooling Initiative (C-COOL) and is organised by UN Environment, United 4 Efficiency (U4E).  The workshop would be conducted for representatives of training institutions and/or a senior Refrigeration and Air conditioning (RAC) industry association personnel from each of the five partner countries, (the Bahamas, Barbados, the Dominican Republic, Jamaica, and Saint Lucia) and Grenada.

Among the many expected outcomes of the workshop are:

• To identify a pathway toward establishing a common HVAC-R training curriculum throughout the region
• To consider opportunities for encouraging new students to enter the field
• To explore how to make HVAC-R a licensed profession
• To discuss ways to establish a consortium of HVAC-R technician training institutes that fosters a regular exchange of best practices and lessons learned while minimizing duplication of effort
• To share information on lessons learned from each participating country
• To identify common challenges and barriers to the uptake of low GWP alternatives and discuss strategic activities to overcome them.

According to the organizers, the workshop should yield a range of findings, including those that can be put into action by the participants in the near-term, and others that may be aspirational for the future and may require additional outside funding and support.

Grenada has been chosen as the venue because of the country’s advanced development and application of alternative climate friendly solutions in the RAC industry and the establishment of a regional training center for natural refrigerants at TAMCC. This center was established to train and develop the capacity of HVAC technicians in the Caribbean region and to collaborate on capacity building and information sharing.

Ozone Layer Protection on the Agenda of Grenada Customs and Excise Division

St. George’s, Grenada, Tuesday October 8th, 2019: As Grenada prepares for the new refrigerant reality, the National Ozone Unit (NOU) continues to engage all stakeholders to renew their commitment and to strengthen the cooperation in the global fight to rid the planet of ozone depleting substances (ODS) and fluorinated gases (F-gases) with high global warming potential, used in the refrigeration and air-conditioning sector.

A major stakeholder of the NOU is the Customs and Excise Division in the Ministry of Finance. As part of the co-operation between Customs and the NOU, Customs  Officers assist in ozone layer protection with monitoring and control of trade in refrigerants, data collection, public awareness and education, implementation of licensing and quota system, examination and testing of refrigerants at the various ports of entry, among other duties. National Ozone Officer, Mr. Leslie Smith, continues to lament, that the Grenada Customs and Excise Department plays a major role in assisting Grenada in successfully meeting and sustaining its obligations under the Montreal Protocol.

At the recently concluded Joint Thematic Network Meeting for Ozone Officers and Customs Officers held in Suriname, from October 6th- 7th, 2019, a number of important issues relating to customs roles in the successful implementation of the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol were discussed.

Mr. Rene Parkes, Grenada Customs

Grenada was represented at the meeting by Systems Administrator (for he ASYCUDA System), Mr. Rene Parkes. Mr. Parkes works very closely with the National Ozone Unit and has been one of the NOU certified Montreal Protocol trainers for customs officers since 2005. Mr. Parkes was actively engaged in the meeting and delivered several presentations. He informed the meeting of the various activities undertaken by the local customs division in support of the obligations of the NOU under the Montreal Protocol, such as, Customs roles in Risk Management, Monitoring, Reporting, Verification and Enforcement systems and the implementation of the e-licensing systems for importation of refrigerants in Grenada.  Grenada is one of few countries in the region tat has an e-licensing system in place for importation of refrigerants. Ozone Layer Protection is one of the integral training components in the Customs training manual for junior officers. 

The Grenada Customs Division is also assisting the NOU in the establishment of break out codes for the classification of HFCs to aid in the country’s data reporting requirements under the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol for the phase-down of HFCs.

A stakeholder consultation involving importers of refrigerants, customs brokers, trade officials and the Inland Revenue Department has been scheduled for October 29th, 2019 to present and discuss the proposed break-out codes to be established for classifying HFCs for customs declaration.

Mr. Parkes in Working Group Session