GEF 6 - Energy Efficiency through the Development of Low Carbon Refrigeration and Air Conditioning (RAC) Technologies in Trinidad and Tobago

Energy Efficiency through the Development of Low-carbon RAC Technologies 

The Energy Efficiency through the Development of Low-carbon RAC Technologies project is seeking to develop low-carbon refrigeration and air conditioning technologies that reduce greenhouse gas emissions, as part of a wider partnership programme between the Government of Trinidad and Tobago and the UNDP,  in support of the country’s international commitments to combat climate change.

The US$5.5m project, funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) - is one of several sustainable energy and environment programmes being managed by the UNDP on behalf of the Government, working closely with the Ministry of Planning and Development. The projects support national priorities in the energy, environment, and disaster risk reduction arena by strengthening environmental policy, regulatory, and institutional frameworks; developing energy-efficient technologies, practices, and public education; and supporting greater disaster-risk resilience.

Working with a diverse group of stakeholders, including public agencies, academia, and civil society organizations, the long-term goal of the GEF project, is to address the use of ozone-depleting substances within the refrigeration and air conditioning (RAC) sectors, both public and private, and to contribute to the stated national goal of a 15% reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2030.

The project aims to address Trinidad and Tobago’s international commitments under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change which is designed to address global warming by reducing carbon emissions.

About the GEF

The Global Environment Facility (GEF) was established on the eve of the 1992 Rio Earth Summit to help tackle our planet’s most pressing environmental problems. Since then, the GEF has provided close to $20.5 billion in grants and mobilized an additional $112 billion in co-financing for more than 4,800 projects in 170 countries.

The project's substantive outcomes include the: 

  1. Strengthening of national policy, regulatory, and institutional frameworks for Energy Efficiency technologies
  2. Enhancement of investment path along the RAC market chain
  3. Implementation of the investment portfolio on replacement of energy-intensive technologies
  4. Information strategy developed to share knowledge gained, lessons learned, and best practices
  5. Monitoring an Evaluation plan and adaptive management applies

Completed Activities

Component 1- Development of a procurement system that includes:​

  1. Energy-Efficient RAC Equipment​
  2. Disposal of end-of-life equipment ​
  3. Requirements for ensuring competent, certified personnel are engaged for installation, servicing, and repair works​ and a draft road map for inclusion of procurement initiatives have been completed.

The development of a green public procurement roadmap improves Trinidad and Tobago’s implementation of its National Cooling Policy and its thrust to go green in the RAC sector.

Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS) developed which helps provide a roadmap for transitioning RAC standards from voluntary to compulsory whereby Trinidad and Tobago’s capacity is enhanced in regulating performance standards of the importation of RAC equipment which leads to improved environmental health and well-being of the general population, as well as an importation of climate-friendly RAC equipment in Trinidad and Tobago.

Component 2- Fiscal and economic instruments for imports of high energy efficiency rating RAC equipment developed and validated by stakeholder consultation which supports the market transition to low carbon RAC technologies:

  1. Ongoing Training of Training Schools with the project’s Energy Efficiency RAC Training Course developed.  These training schools will soon roll out a new curriculum in schools to support the transition to energy efficiency RAC technologies in Trinidad and Tobago, certify students in energy efficiency RAC technologies and create new job opportunities in the sector. 
  2. Financial Institutions and Project Developers were also trained in Investment Analysis and Financial Training for District Cooling which enhanced their capacity and raised awareness of their organization's to District Cooling supporting the market shift for District Cooling. The training laid the groundwork for investors and project developers for future projects in District Cooling.
  3. The project officially Launched District Cooling Sites with public-private partners in November 2022.
  4. Project Air Conditioning Demonstration Sites Implemented and featured at the new Asa Wright Nature Center- HADCO Experience Launch

Component 3- Ongoing Knowledge Awareness and Public Outreach 

  1. Activities with the project showcasing at events such as the Energy Conference of Trinidad and Tobago in January 2023 and the Caribbean Sustainable Energy Conference in June 2023. 
  2. The project also featured in the Trinidad and Tobago Supermarket Association Conference and Tradeshow, highlighting the value of sustainable cooling in cold chains for supermarkets in Trinidad and Tobago:

Project Team Members

Project Manager: Anselm Simon

GEF Project Officer: Viveka Jackson

Project Finance and Administrative Assistant: Janille Huggins

Energy Efficiency Specialist: Muhammad Jaleel

Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist: Candice Williams

Legal and Procurement Expert: Andrew Dalip

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