Climate Change Policy Implementation in Trinidad and Tobago Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources Trinidad and Tobago

February 26, 2015 1

Climate Change Policy

• Adopted

a National Climate Change Policy (2011)

• In

Keeping with the Climate Change Policy, the Multilateral Environmental Agreements Unit (MEAU) at the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources (MEWR) is Responsible for the Implementation of the Climate Change Policy 2

International Context • Trinidad and Tobago is Signatory to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)

• Emerging Issues in International Negotiations Which are Relevant

  

Nationally Appropriate Mitigation Actions (NAMAS) Biennial Update Report (BUR) Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (iNDC)

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National Climate Change Policy in Context

• Policy Addresses both Mitigation and Adaptation

• Mitigation Refers to the Reduction, Avoidance or Sequestration of Greenhouse Gas Emissions

• Adaptation Refers to Coping Mechanisms to Deal with the Projected Impacts of Climate Change and Climate Variability in all Sectors 4

National Climate Change Policy Provisions MITIGATION ACTIONS

• Reducing or Avoiding Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions from all Sectors

• Enhancing Carbon Sinks • Protection of the Natural Environment and Human Health • Enhanced Agricultural Production and Food Security ADAPTATION ACTIONS

• Conserving and Building Resilience of Human and Natural Ecosystems to Adapt to the Adverse Impacts of Climate Change

 The Climate Change Policy is Revised Every Five(5) Years

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Project Implementation

• Mainstreaming Climate Change into National Development and a Feasibility Study of Carbon Capture and Storage

• Development of a Carbon Reduction Strategy • Capacity Building Through the Multilateral Environmental Agreements/Climate Change Focal Point Network

• Low Emission Capacity Building Programme (LECB) 6

Integrating Climate Change into National Development

• Implementation

of the Climate Change Policy has Involved the Development of Strategies for Mainstreaming Climate Change into National Development Through Recommendations for the Revision of Sectoral Policies and Drafting or Amendment of Relevant Legislation.

• This is in Keeping with Section 9 of the Climate Change Policy 7

Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) • CCS is the Process of Trapping Carbon Dioxide Produced by Burning Fossil Fuels or Other Chemical or Biological Process and Storing it in Such a Way that it is Unable to Affect the Atmosphere.

• Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has Identified CCS as Essential in the Mix of Climate Mitigation Technologies Necessary to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions in the Atmosphere

• As an Oil and Gas Producer CCS has Particular Importance to Trinidad and Tobago 8

Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS)

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Pre-feasibility Study on Carbon Capture and Storage in Geological Formations

• The

Study Highlighted the Feasibility of Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) as an Option for Trinidad and Tobago by Examining the Legislative Framework and its Compliance with International Regulations as well as Suitability of Storage Sites and Sources of Carbon Dioxide.

• This Work is Continuing with a View to Establishing a Pilot CCS Project. 10

Carbon Reduction Strategy

• The Industrial, Transportation and Power Generation Sectors Account for the Majority of Greenhouse Gas Emissions as Detailed in the Second National Communication to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)

• Accordingly,

the Carbon Reduction Strategy for Trinidad and Tobago will Highlight the Most Feasible Mitigation Options in Each of the Three Sectors.

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Multilateral Environmental Agreements/Climate Change Focal Point Network • The GORTT Recognised the Cross Cutting Nature of Climate Change Impacts.

• Cabinet has agreed to the establishment of a This Network which has representation from all government ministries/agencies, NGOs, CBOs, private sector and fiduciary organisations

• Facilitates

Public Participation and Consultation on Climate Change and Other environmental Matters.

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Administrative Arrangements for the Climate Change Policy

• Cabinet

Approved the Establishment of a Ministerial Committee on Climate Change (March 07, 2013)

• The

Purpose of the Committee is to Provide Oversight and Guidance to the Implementation of the National Climate Change Policy 13

Administrative Arrangements for Climate Change Policy

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Guiding Principles The Response to Climate Change as Detailed in the Climate Change Policy:

• Must be Sustainable • Must be Consultative and Involve a Multi-Partite Approach

• Must Follow the Precautionary Approach • Must be Multi-Sectoral and Include both Mitigation and Adaptation

• Must be Evidence Based 15

Next Steps

• Review of the National Climate Change Policy • Consideration of New Scientific Data • Incorporation of results of completed CC projects as appropriate

• Public Consultation Process with Stakeholders

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End Thank You Questions?

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