eTecK

Business Park B4 Demerara Drive, Point Lisas Industrial Estate,

P.O. Box 72, Point Lisas, Trinidad & Tobago.
T. 868-636-4433 F. 868-636-3484 E. admin@czitt.com www.czitt.com

NATIONAL SECONDARY SCHOOLS CLIMATE QUIZ STUDY GUIDE

Source Documents: National Climate Change Policy, National Waste Recycling Policy, Laws of Trinidad
and Tobago- Litter Act of , United Nations Framework Convention , Environmental Management Act,
Strategy for Reduction of Carbon Emissions in Trinidad and Tobago, Energy Dossier: Trinidad and
Tobago, An Integrated Solid Waste/ Resource Management Policy for Trinidad and Tobago,
Framework For Development of a Renewable Energy Policy for Trinidad and Tobago, Ministry of
Energy and Energy Industries-GORTT Policy Context, NDC implementation Plan Factsheet 2017, Office
of Disaster Preparedness and Management Official Website, Stockholm Convention Official Website,
Geneva Convention Official Website, Rotterdam Convention Official Website, Vienna Convention on
the Law of Treaties Official Website,SWMCOL Official Website, Ministry of Energy and Energy
Resources Official Website

NATIONAL CLIMATE CHANGE POLICY

Trinidad and Tobago is a signatory to the United Nation Framework Convention on Climate Change
(UNFCCC). The country is committed to pursuing a low carbon development path. Plans include the
maximisation of renewable energy resources through development and delivery strategies, and
development of clean energy and production technology. Plans also include applying adaptation to the
adverse impacts of climate change strategies through integration within all aspects of national
development. In terms of Global greenhouse gas accountability, Trinidad and Tobago accounts for 0.1%
of greenhouse gases in the perspective of total global emissions. However, there is a relatively high per
capita emission (per person).

Climate-change policies can be local, national or international. The national Climate Change Policy of
Trinidad and Tobago aims to offer policy guidance for the development of an appropriate administrative
and legislative framework, in harmony with other policies, for the achievement of a low-carbon
development path for Trinidad and Tobago. This is attained through appropriate strategies to tackle
climate change. Incorporating mitigation and adaptation methods.

Moreover, because Trinidad and Tobago is part of the group of countries known as small Island
Developing States (SIDS), T&T is more susceptible to the adverse impacts of climate change. There are
responses that the government could take to reduce the vulnerability of social and biological systems in
efforts to offset the effects of climate change including:
1. Integrate adaptation planning into national policy and planning, by the reinforcement of
existing institutional arrangements.
2. Conducting a sectoral vulnerability assessment to climate change; through analyses, and
creating adaptation options.

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eTecK Business Park B4 Demerara Drive, Point Lisas Industrial Estate,
P.O. Box 72, Point Lisas, Trinidad & Tobago.
T. 868-636-4433 F. 868-636-3484 E. admin@czitt.com www.czitt.com





3. Improving policies to include impacts of climate change derived from vulnerability analyses.
4. Modifying national development plans to integrate climate change vulnerability, impacts and
adaptation options.
5. Developing the resilience of natural biophysical systems so as to maximize ecosystem services
6. Promoting community-based adaptation through expanded use of the Green Fund for capacity
building and enhancing resilience

TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO MITIGATION STRATEGIES

The Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago (GORTT) is exploring different ways to mitigate
the effects of climate change including:
1. Diversify waste minimization technologies with respect to emissions. For example, combined
heat and power and energy from waste.
2. Maximise the use of CNG fuel and providing financial motivations for vehicle conversion to
reduce GHG emissions. Furthermore, making it mandatory that all state owned and public
vehicles are a part of this conversion process.
3. Improve the efficiency of public transport, inclusive of mass transport systems.
4. Examine the probability and feasibility of replacing a portion of traditional fuels with biofuels for
domestic production and consumption.
5. Explore monetary incentives for the importation of both hybrid and fuel cell vehicles.

TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO ADAPTATION STRATEGIES

The GORTT shall also integrate adaptation planning into national policy and plan to counteract the
effects of climate change by:
1. Strengthening existing institutional arrangements for systematic observations, research and
climate change modeling, including through cooperation with academia, NGOs and the private
sector.
2. Assessing sectoral vulnerability to climate change by conducting vulnerability analyses and
formulating adaptation options, including technological application, in biophysical and socio-
economic systems.
3. Revising sectoral policies to include consideration of climate change impacts derived from
vulnerability analyses.
4. Revising national development plans to incorporate climate change vulnerability, impacts and
adaptation options with a view to climate proofing new developments and retrofitting existing
infrastructure
5. Enhancing the resilience of natural biophysical systems so as to maximize ecosystem services
such as the natural coastal defense properties of coral reefs and mangrove systems, through the
development
6. Promoting community-based adaptation through expanded use of the Green Fund for capacity
building and enhancing resilience

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eTecK Business Park B4 Demerara Drive, Point Lisas Industrial Estate,
P.O. Box 72, Point Lisas, Trinidad & Tobago.
T. 868-636-4433 F. 868-636-3484 E. admin@czitt.com www.czitt.com



CLIMATE CHANGE IMPACTS

According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, the Caribbean region is projected to see
an increase in temperature of between 0.94 to 4.18 degrees Celsius while rainfall is projected to
undergo changes of between -49.4 to 28.9% by 2069 (relative to the 1961-1990 period). Sea level is also
expected to rise 15 to 95 cm by 2100. These changes are forecasted to expose the Caribbean islands to:

1. More intense and frequent disasters or novel ones altogether

2. Increased coastal flooding and salt water intrusion into freshwater aquifers (a major issue in
light of sea level rise).
3. Heat waves and drought, which have accompanying hazards such as forest fires, are predicted
to become more commonplace
4. Higher rainfall in the wet season and more regular, powerful storms which can exacerbate
flooding concerns
5. Altered hurricane tracks so that islands such as Trinidad and Tobago, may be forced to cope
more regularly with this natural disaster.
To address these impacts, education and awareness are crucial factors in the fight against climate
change. It impacts individuals’ general consciousness of the issue, and determines how enabled they are
to develop the necessary solutions and innovations to overcome climate change. Hence the government
of Trinidad and Tobago has undertaken education and awareness efforts to address the issue.

NATIONAL WASTE RECYCLING POLICY-SWMCOL-LITTER ACT

Trinidad and Tobago is continuously faced with escalating challenges in its waste collection and
management system. Trinidad and Tobago Solid Waste Management Company (SWMCOL) aims to
manage solid waste in the country and has a mission to protect and enhance the environment.

‘Collection' is the first fundamental function of solid waste management as it carries waste to
centralized locations for proper treatment and controls the widespread emission of greenhouse gases.
The existing method for final waste disposal in Trinidad and Tobago is landfilling. After rainfall events
liquid penetrates through solid waste and/or is generated by solid waste decomposition. This leachate
can contain dissolved or suspended materials in it and, if not managed properly, may contaminate
ground or surface water.

There are nine operating disposal sites receiving about one thousand (1000) tonnes of waste per day in
Trinidad and Tobago. The four major landfill sites are: Beetham- which serves the northwest, Guanapo-
which serves the northeast, Forest Park- which serves the central and southern regions and Studley
Park; which is the only landfill in Tobago and is operated by the Tobago House of Assembly (THA).

The Studley Park landfill was constructed in 1984-1984 and intended to service Tobago for twenty (20)
years and was anticipated to accept a solid waste inflow of seven thousand three hundred and sixty

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eTecK Business Park B4 Demerara Drive, Point Lisas Industrial Estate,
P.O. Box 72, Point Lisas, Trinidad & Tobago.
T. 868-636-4433 F. 868-636-3484 E. admin@czitt.com www.czitt.com






(7,360) tonnes per year. Guanapo Landfill is the smallest and Beetham the largest in Trinidad when
compared to the other locations.

As a part of SWMCOL’s " Get Into Green" campaign, they opened their Recycling and Production Lane in
Beetham (opposite the central market). The Recycling Depot affords citizens the opportunity to drop off
their recyclables at their convenience and at no charge.

Constituting a large portion of the waste in landfills are plastics. This is a material made from petroleum,
and is capable of being molded, or cast into various shapes and films. There are many different types of
plastics some of which include: polyethylene (commonly found in soft drink bottles and salad dressing
containers), high-density polyethylene (milk jugs, household cleaner containers and juice bottles),
Polystyrene (egg cartons, disposable plates and cups) and Low Density Polyethylene (squeezable bottles,
shopping bags and food wraps).

In the National Waste Recycling Policy, the government has developed legislation to achieve objectives
such as: protecting both human health and the environment, minimisation of litter, the maximisation of
the use of resources, and reduce by sixty percent (60%) the waste sent landfills by the year 2020. They
wish to change the existing culture to one of waste minimisation; and shared responsibility for waste
management. The government also wants to improve economic development and create new
opportunities in the reduction, collection, handling and recycling of waste.

Trinidad and Tobago has implemented legislation targeting the issue of littering and waste disposal in
public places to change the existing culture. The Litter Act forbids the disposal of waste in public areas
other than those selected for such deposit. It defines various offences in relation to littering, and
provides for the appointment of litter prevention wardens by public authority and powers of appointed
wardens. A person who is guilty of an offence under this section is liable to pay a fine of four thousand
dollars ($4000) or to imprisonment for six months or in the case of a body corporate to a fine of eight
thousand dollars.

NATIONALLY DETERMINED CONTRIBUTION (NDC)

Trinidad and Tobago is a ratified signatory of numerous international Multilateral Environmental
Agreements (MEAs). Some of which include: the Stockholm, Geneva, Rotterdam and Vienna
Conventions. We are also a member of the Paris Agreement (PA). An important element of the PA is
Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). This represents each country’s public commitments to
reduce greenhouse gases (GHGs). After the ratification of this agreement by GORTT on February 22nd,
2018 in New York at the United Nations’ Headquarters, Trinidad and Tobago confirmed its Intended
Nationally Determined Contributions (iNDC) to:1. reduce cumulative greenhouse gas emissions by 15%
from industry, power generation and the transport sector by 2030, 2. reduce public transportation
emissions by 30% or 1.7 MtCO2e ((metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent).

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eTecK Business Park B4 Demerara Drive, Point Lisas Industrial Estate,
P.O. Box 72, Point Lisas, Trinidad & Tobago.
T. 868-636-4433 F. 868-636-3484 E. admin@czitt.com www.czitt.com





RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE NDC IMPLEMENTATION FOR TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO:
1. Strengthening the institutional capacity in the power generation, transport and industry sectors
capacity in the power generation, transport and industry sectors
2. Mainstreaming climate change issues into existing policy and legislative framework to create the
enabling environment
3. Defining necessary institutional arrangements for implementing the NDC

Plans for NDC Implementation
1. Capacity Building Action Plan
2. Sectoral Plans (power generation, transport and industry) that include mitigation
actions/activities/projects, their implementation schedule, potential emissions avoided and
estimated costs
3. Climate Finance Plan

TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO, UNFCCC AND GHG EMISSIONS

The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) was adopted by a group of
countries, including Trinidad and Tobago, at the United Nations Headquarters, New York on the 9 May
1992. The Convention was entered into force on 21 March 1994 to address the reduction of greenhouse
gases that contribute to climate change.

In Trinidad and Tobago there are three major greenhouse gas-emitting sectors: power generation,
industry and transportation. The emissions from other sectors are considered relatively negligible. In
addition, Trinidad & Tobago has a very carbon intensive economy due to its oil and gas production. As a
result, the country’s CO2 emission per capita is among the highest in the world. Naturally, most of these
emissions are attributable to oil and gas exploration (industrialization), and less as a result of
consumption in the country.

GORTT GHG mitigation actions are geared towards the use of public transport systems considering that
the road transport sector, particularly the use of private vehicles, is responsible for the majority of the
GHG emissions of the transport sector (air, sea, land) of Trinidad and Tobago. In order to modify that
trend, most of the actions by the GORTT focus on promoting the reduction in the use of private vehicles.
Other actions proposed include incorporation of less GHG emitting fuels in the energy matrix of the
transport system, so that, even if the use of private vehicles is not reduced, it would have a significant
impact on GHG emissions.

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eTecK Business Park B4 Demerara Drive, Point Lisas Industrial Estate,
P.O. Box 72, Point Lisas, Trinidad & Tobago.
T. 868-636-4433 F. 868-636-3484 E. admin@czitt.com www.czitt.com




ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY

The Environmental Management Act, passed in 1995, created the first legal framework for the
management of environment related issues in Trinidad and Tobago. In March 1995, this was passed. Its
goal is to ensure the protection, conservation, enhancement and wise use of the environment of
Trinidad and Tobago.

The Environmental Management Authority (EMA) of Trinidad and Tobago is committed to sustainably
managing the natural resources and environment by providing a transparent framework to facilitate
policy and decision making in development. They have also made recommendations for our National
Environment Policy whose main goal is environmentally sustainable development in Trinidad and
Tobago. Some natural resources that are commonly found in Trinidad and Tobago are petroleum,
natural gas and asphalt. Other agricultural products are cocoa, rice, citrus, coffee, vegetables; poultry;
sugar.

MINISTRY OF ENERGY AND ENERGY INDUSTRIES

The Ministry of Energy and Energy Industries is responsible for monitoring, controlling and regulating
the energy and mineral sectors of Trinidad and Tobago. In Trinidad and Tobago, primarily uses natural
gas as the fuel source for electricity generation. Notably in the period of 2012, Combustible Renewables
& Waste (CR&W) contributed 0% to the total energy supply of Trinidad and Tobago. Natural gas
production however accounted for almost three quarters of supply (71%). With respect to renewables,
GORTT policy initiatives are geared to maximize, where practicable, the use of renewable energy (such
as solar, wind, and wave energy) through incentives, concessions and enabling legislation, and make
reduction of Trinidad and Tobago’s carbon footprint a priority. To this end in his recent Budget 2019
presentation, the Honourable Colm Imbert re-emphasised GORTT’s commitment to increase energy
with renewables by up to 10% by 2021.

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