UPDATE (with photos): The National Ozone Unit concludes a successful week of stakeholder workshops

The National Ozone Unit (NOU) of the Ministry of Environment, Rural Modernization, Kalinago Upliftment and Constituency Empowerment is responsible for the execution of the objectives of the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer. One such objective is to enhance capacity and raise awareness amongst stakeholders inclusive of Refrigeration and Air Conditioning (RAC) Technicians, Customs Officers, Customs Brokers and Importers of Refrigerants/Ozone Depleting Substances (ODS).

The week of the 10^th -14^th of February was very eventful for the NOU as it successfully hosted several capacity building workshops including:

• National Refrigeration & Air Conditioning (RAC) Technicians Training Workshop on the Montreal Protocol and Good Practices in the application of alternative Low Global Warming Potential (GWP) technologies.
• A 3-day Train-the-Trainers workshop for Senior Customs Officers on the Control and Monitoring of Trade in Montreal Protocol Controlled Substances.
• A 1-day Training Workshop for Junior Customs Officers on the Control and Monitoring of Trade in Montreal Protocol Controlled Substances
• A sensitization workshop for ODS Importers and Customs Brokers.

The workshops provided a total of 55 participants with critical information on a wide range of topics, including:

• Obligations under the Montreal Protocol, particularly its phase-out and phase-down requirements.
• Policies and legislation governing the importation of refrigerants/ODS in Dominica
• International & National Responses to Ozone Depletion
• Refrigerant properties and their environmental impacts.
• Safe practices for the handling, transportation, storage, and disposal of refrigerants.
• Data collection & reporting
• ODS Licensing & Quota System
• ODS Classification
• ODS Smuggling

A team of consultants from Grenada with over 30 years of experience in their respective fields were engaged to facilitate these workshops. The team comprised of Mr. Leslie Smith, Mr. Rene Parkes and Mr. Henry Frederick. All attendees noted that their expectations were exceeded, expressing gratitude to the NOU and consultants, for the expert manner in which knowledge was communicated and transferred. Each participant was presented with a certificate of participation upon successful completion of the program.

The training workshops mark a significant step in the Country’s journey toward achieving its climate resilience goals. It underscored the Ministry’s dedication to promoting environmentally sound practices and equipping stakeholders with the tools and knowledge necessary for compliance and sustainability. National Ozone Officer,Mrs. Sophia Anselm- Larocque emphasized the importance of these efforts, stating, “As a nation vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, we must remain committed to fulfilling our international obligations while fostering sustainable practices within the refrigeration and air-conditioning sector.”

The NOU and the Ministry of Environment, Rural Modernization, Kalinago Upliftment and Constituency Empowerment extends its gratitude to all participants and stakeholders for their active engagement in this important initiative.