Planning and Development Minister Pennelope Beckles states that Trinidad and Tobago joins the global community in commemorating Earth Day on April 22nd in much more than words.
Bolstered by the theme for 2023, ‘Invest in our Planet,’ the Government of Trinidad and Tobago is actively enabling the necessary investments in renewable energy, environmental management, biodiversity conservation, the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, waste management and more.
Minister Beckles also holds responsibility for Trinidad and Tobago’s environment.
One of the most recent projects of which Trinidad and Tobago has become a potential beneficiary pertains to Sustainable and Climate Resilient Land Management as well as Implementation of Ecosystem Based mitigation and adaptation for a climate change resilient forest sector. Trinidad and Tobago is eligible for access to a pool of US $80 million, which would be distributed among 10 CARICOM states, amounting to approximately $8M US per country. Minister Beckles states that the Ministry of Planning and Development and the Ministry of Agriculture have endorsed Trinidad and Tobago’s participation in the project and will pursue the necessary steps.
The Planning Ministry through the National Ozone Unit is also undertaking a US $5.152 million four-year project which began in 2020 to create a sustained market change towards the adoption of low-carbon Refrigeration and Air Conditioning (RAC) technologies in Trinidad and Tobago. This is the largest ever grant funded national project under the Global Environment Facility (GEF).
This will deliver multiple benefits at the local, regional and global levels and 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. 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 Ministry of Planning and Development is utilising 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. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is a fundamental partner for the overall implementation.
With regard to renewable energy, the European Union’s Global Climate Change Alliance + grant funded Piarco Solar Park Project is making significant progress, with scheduled completion this year. The TT $12 million solar farm, which is managed by the Airports Authority, will consist of ground-mounted solar panels installed over an area of 1.54 hectares with an annual generation capacity of 767,034 kilowatt-hours (kWh), which represents 3.6% of the total amount of electricity consumed at the Piarco International Airport. This project could potentially reduce annual emissions of carbon dioxide by 500 metric tonnes and contribute to an overall reduction in Trinidad and Tobago’s carbon footprint. A few day ago, the sod also was turned for a 92 MW Brechin Castle Solar Site in Couva.
In addition to this, the Planning Ministry is working with the EU and the UNDP on another solar installation project, launched in 2021, to boost Trinidad and Tobago’s transition to renewable energy through the installations of small-scale roof-mounted Solar Photovoltaic (PV) solar panels at 12 sites across the nation. These installations form part of a EURO 2.4 million project entitled ‘Support to the Implementation of Trinidad and Tobago’s Nationally Determined Contribution’, designed to assist the country towards a low carbon path, and increase its climate resilience in keeping with stated targets and committments under the 2015 Paris Agreement. To date PV units have been commissioned in Speyside High School, Main Ridge and Matura Turtle Nesting Site, with another to come in Caroni this coming week.
There are other funded projects involving plastic waste management, sea coral and sea grass rehabilitation, carbon sequestration and land fill rehabilitation, Minister Beckles is sending the message that Government is working with international partners to secure the funding necessary through grants and technical support to promote a more sustainable economy for both people and the planet in accord with nature. These investments reflect government’s commitment to the global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Theme 5 of Trinidad and Tobago’s National Development Strategy, Vision 2030, which emphasizes placing the environment at the centre of social and economic development.