Opposition sends climate report to CHOGM

The opposition United National Congress (UNC) has sent a climate change proposal to the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) taking place in Trinidad this week although the party has no standing at the summit.

In a summary of its presentation the UNC has outlined several areas of environmental neglect by the Manning administration and offered proposals that the party believes can make a difference in preserving the environment.

The paper by Caroni East MP Dr Tim Gopeesingh noted that the nine ammonia and seven methanol plants in Trinidad and Tobago are contributing to the production of 33 tonnes of harmful carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions annually.

In addition the large per capita vehicle count of more than 400,000 vehicles for 1.3 million citizens adds to the problem, he said.

Gopeesingh also pointed out several other areas of environmental neglect, including the destruction of 140 acres of forest to build a smelter and another 85 acres for a steel plant.

He also noted that wildlife is seriously endangered and the fishing industry is at risk of extinction.

"We are experiencing increasing intensity of droughts, fires, floods, stronger storms and health-related vector diseases. The main large waste dumps sites are continuously ablaze from chemical reactions," Gopeesingh wrote in his report.

He added, "Lead and Mercury seep from these sites into the waterways leading to the Caroni Water Dam, which supplies drinking water for East and North Trinidad."

Gopeesingh said despite widespread protests from the citizens and a Judicial ruling against the continuation of construction of an Aluminum Smelter (ALUTRINT) the government "arrogantly pursues its continued construction".

He said for the last eight years the Manning administration has shown no interest in following the recommendations from the international agreements and conventions for the protection of the environment and has failed to produce even one Green Paper on climate change issues.

In view of that, he said, the Opposition has prepared its own list of recommendations for CHOGM to consider. These include:

• The urgent need for a comprehensive policy on Climate Change


• The need to fast-track collaboration with international organizations in pursuit of cost effective strategies for carbon reduction


• Government must provide information on Trinidad and Tobago’s emission trends, vulnerability, mitigation and adaptation options


• Government must engage in active consideration on the use of renewable energy sources


• Government must adopt policies for clean energy technology and approaches for energy efficiency


• The formulation of a national agenda to create awareness


• The need for improved management by EMA


• The need for urgent action in treating with coastal erosion


• The need for a strong commitment for reduction of greenhouse gases and a mandate to produce new targets

The Opposition is also calling on the government to publish, update and make available it’s national inventory of GHG’s and its national program to mitigate and adapt to climate change.

"It is imperative that this Government must take climate change scenarios with the utmost seriousness in relevant future social, economic and environmental policies and actions," Gopeesingh declared.