56
209.
Important policy initiatives which were completed in fiscal year 2013 will be rolled out
over the medium term. Among these are
•
reduction of Methyl Bromide In Quarantine and Pre-shipment Usage in Trinidad
and Tobago
•
development of a Strategy for Reduction in Emissions of Carbon Dioxide
•
development of an approach to facilitate the Main Streaming of Climate Change
into the National Development Strategy
210.
The aforementioned policy initiatives have obvious implications for the future
development of Trinidad and Tobago, and will provide the basis for a new slate of environmental
programmes and projects. Included among such developmental programmes, some of which are
currently at various stages of being implemented by Government are:
•
increasing use of innovative technologies including “green technology”
•
retrofitting of government buildings
•
roll-out of a comprehensive recycling programme embodied in the recently
approved Solid Waste Management Policy, including inter alia, the remediation and
decommissioning of existing landfill sites
•
conversion of Government and private vehicles to the use of Compressed Natural
Gas (CNG)
•
comprehensive programmes for the further development of protected areas
•
building capacity among industry partners to reduce their carbon footprint
211.
The Environmental Management Authority (EMA) and SWMCOL are the key
implementers of the environmental agenda. Consistent with its mandate (to coordinate, facilitate
and oversee execution of the national environmental strategy and programmes), the EMA has
proposed the construction of a “Green” Building at Trincity over the three (3) year period, at an
estimated cost of over $100 million. This will provide a prototype for future development of
Government buildings. SWMCOL has the overall responsibility for waste management with
specific responsibility for the management of three (3) landfill sites, industrial and commercial
solid and liquid waste, collection as well as, paper and cardboard recycling activities. SWMCOL
continues to reorganise and restrategise to better discharge its present and future responsibilities
that is undoubtedly linked to the implementation of the recently completed Solid Waste
Management Policy by the Ministry of Local Government.
212.
The Forestry Division will continue to replant over six hundred (600) hectares of forest
cover under the Forest Regeneration Programme among the five (5) Conservancies of Trinidad.
Additionally, contracts are scheduled to be awarded over the period for the upgrade of Forestry
Access Roads to enable harvesting of the timber, at an approximate cost of $56 million. The
increasing frequency and severity of flooding particularly in Northern Trinidad indicates the
need for a comprehensive and aggressive programme of forest regeneration in the medium term.
