COPA Kick-Off Workshop in Grenada
Grenada kicks off COPA activities with a stakeholder workshop and advances plans to establish the Caribbean region’s first refrigerant recovery and reclamation center
The Climate and Ozone Protection Alliance (COPA) successfully commenced its activities in Grenada with a dynamic Kick-Off Workshop held on 5 March 2024. Co-organized by the National Ozone Unit (NOU) within the Ministry of Climate Resilience, the Environment and Renewable Energy of Grenada and the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, the event convened stakeholders and experts to address the unique challenges posed by Ozone Depleting Substances (ODS) and Hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) banks management in Grenada.
The workshop brought together a diverse array of participants including representatives from the Grenada Solid Waste Management Authority (GSWMA), the Grenada Bureau of Standards and importers of refrigeration and air conditioning equipment. Throughout the workshop, participants delved into Grenada's unique circumstances and explored innovative strategies to mitigate the impact of these harmful substances on the environment and public health. Discussions also centered around regulatory frameworks, technological advancements, and capacity-building initiatives to bolster Grenada's resilience in combating climate change and ozone depletion.
The primary focus of COPA's project activities in Grenada revolve around the establishment of a refrigerant recovery and reclamation center, a pivotal step in the nation's efforts to mitigate the release of harmful gases into the atmosphere. Spearheaded by the Grenada Solid Waste Management Authority (GSWMA), this facility, to be situated at their compound in Queen’s Park, will play a crucial role in collecting, reclaiming, and redistributing refrigerants back into the sector for safe use by technicians. Thereby, Grenada aims to prevent the release of these harmful gases into the atmosphere.
The NOU has already provided essential support to GSWMA, equipping them with state-of-the-art tools including a reclamation machine, a recovery machine, refrigerant identifier, and refrigerant cylinders. COPA will make further assistance to GSWMA available by providing additional equipment and training necessary for the recovery and reclamation center’s operations.
Permanent Secretary Peron Johnson in the Ministry of Climate Resilience, The Environment, and Renewable Energies, expressed her appreciation for COPA's collaborative efforts and complementary action. This milestone event not only signifies a significant opportunity for Grenada but also sets a precedent for the region in advancing sustainable practices in the refrigeration and air conditioning sector.
For more insights on the workshop, watch this video of the Government Information Service of Grenada:
