Joint UNEP/GFEI/GEF Global Support Programme for the UNEP-GFEI: Jamaica Country Project, GEF 5
The Workshop was held on June 27, 2016 at the Knutsford Court Hotel, Kingston, Jamaica. The target audience was achieved with thirty stakeholders from key agencies and institutions in the energy and transportation sectors in attendance. Majority of the attendees had attended the Project Launch and National Capacity Building Workshop held July 28-30, 2015, so they had a strong appreciation of the subject. The purpose for this national Workshop was to present the results of the baseline study; to offer an introductory training in using the Fuel Economy Policy Implementation Tool (FEPIT); and to share experiences in Costa Rica and Chile regarding their baseline results and the recommendations from their FEPIT exercise.
The session was chaired by Dr Ruth Potopsingh, Project Lead from the University of Technology Jamaica (UTech Ja.), who in opening, gave a very brief overview of the project and milestones achieved to date.
Lt. Col Oral Khan, Chief Technical Director from the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation (MEGJC), the newly formed Ministry offered greetings on behalf of the Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Audrey Sewell who regrettably was unable to attend. Lt. Col Khan offered reassurances that the Ministry would continue to support and champion important initiatives such as this as they seek to achieve Jamaica’s Vision 2030 goals and objectives. Miss Gillian Guthrie, National Focal Point for GEF was in attendance as well as Miss Nicole O’Reggio the new liaison for MEGJC replacing Mrs. Andrea Jones-Bennett who was also in attendance.
Mr. Alex Koerner, UNEP Consultant joined the meeting via Skype. After his introduction by the Chair, he successfully delivered the training on Assessing impacts of fuel economy measures by using the FEPIT. His presentation began with an overview of the UNEP project and then the Tool and some policy measures that it supports. His presentation was deliberately scheduled upfront as the demonstration of FEPIT indicated the robust requirements and the scientific/objective approach needed to move the project forward.
Presentation of Baseline and Analysis of Preliminary Trends for Jamaica
Mr. Roberto Ellis, Technical member of the CSEII-UTech, Jamaica Baseline Setting Team outlined the methodology that was used as well as key challenges and lessons learnt in setting the baseline. He highlighted an improvement in the average CO2 emissions between 2005 and 2014. He noted that in 2005 the average grams per CO2 from a vehicle was 200.63 gco2/ km this fell to 165.79 in the 2014, this 17% decrease is largely attributed to global improvements in vehicle technology and the introduction of ultra low sulphur diesel and E10 fuel.
Experiences in Chile & Costa Rica and Next Steps for Jamaica
Mr. Juan Sebastian Galarza Suarez, CMMCh representative and Mr. Arturo Steinvorth, CEGESTI representative presented on their country’s experiences. Mr Galarza was lead presenter. (Annex 4) They were able to give a more holistic picture of the benefits to be gained from undertaking the GFEI initiative. Mr Galarza stressed the need to include the Health Ministry in the discussions as there were health benefits which could be emphasized in the project. An effective approach is to encourage the implementation of emission standards and fuel quality improvements. The Partners highlighted the potential financial benefits from avoided cost, the significant reduction of emissions would bring, a prediction of US$2 Trillion dollars globally in fuel savings by 2025. Their presentation was not only insightful but very useful for Jamaica.
Conclusion
There was an open call for persons to join the policy working group which will now look at existing policies and draft key recommendations that would be presented to the government. Another key activity set to commence will see a multidimensional Public Education campaign being undertaken.
from the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation making his address
Associate Vice President- Sustainable Energy UTech, Jamaica chairperson for the meeting and other members of the head table.
