R E P O R T. Main Meeting of the ODS Officers Network of the English-speaking Caribbean. Kingstown, St. Vincent and The Grenadines, June 2001

Transcription

1 United Nations Environment Programme Division of Technology, Industry and Economics OzonAction Programme Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean R E P O R T Main Meeting of the ODS Officers Network of the English-speaking Caribbean Kingstown, St. Vincent and The Grenadines, June 2001 Organised by: The United Nations Environment Programme, Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean and the Industry, and the Environment Office of St. Vincent and The Grenadines. Sponsored by: The Multilateral Fund of the Montreal Protocol.

2 Table of Contents 1. List of Participants 2. Objectives and Results of the Meeting 3. Summary of the Meeting: 3.1 Review of Network Members Compliance Status of CFC freeze. Questions and comments Halons Freeze. Questions and comments Methyl Bromide Freeze. Questions and comments Status of Licensing System. Questions and comments Ratification of Amendments. Main Benefits Final General Comments on Compliance. 3.2 Working Group Discussions Group A Conclusions and Recommendations Group B Conclusions and Recommendations. 3.3 Objectives of the Networks for 2001 and Recommendations Derived from the Evaluation Final Table of Objectives Final Table of Recommendations 3.4 Refrigerant Management Plans Multilateral Fund Secretariat Environment Canada (Philippe Chemouny) 3.5 Ozone Day in 2001 and regional awareness raising activities 3.6 Ozone Science. Angus Fergusson, Senior Meteorologist, Stratospheric Ozone and UV Issue Manager; Environment Canada 3.7 Results of Workshops Results of Military workshop Results of the MeBr workshop 3.8 Regional Halon Banking Project 3.9 Bilateral Discussions

3 4. Conclusions and recommendations 5. Next meeting Annex I: Participant s Evaluation of the Meeting Annex II: Participants and Speakers with Contact Details Annex III: Full List of Presentations Available Annex IV: Agenda

4 1. List of Participants The Meeting was attended by the representatives of the following countries of the ODS Officers Network: Name Mr. Dunstan Sorhaindo Ms. Coral Miller Mr. Kwame Emmanuel Ms. Lisa Farnum-Ramjoo Ms. Veronica Alleyne Ms. Donnalyn Charles Mr. Reynold Murray Ms. Artie Dubrie Country/Organization Antigua and Barbuda The Bahamas Barbados Guyana Jamaica St. Lucia St. Vincent and The Grenadines Trinidad and Tobago The representatives of Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Haiti, St. Kitts and Nevis and Suriname were not able to attend. The following representatives attended as well: Mr. Philippe Chemouny Mr. Angus Fergusson Mr. Jim Traweek Environment Canada Canada Meteorological Service U.S. Department of State On behalf of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) the following people attended: Name Mr. Geoffrey Tierney Mr. Marco A. Pinzón Ms. Verónica Becerra Position Network Manager UNEP/TIE; Regional Network Coordinator UNEP/ROLAC Research Assistant UNEP/ROLAC.

5 2. Objectives and Results To review the status of Network Members with respect to compliance with the CFC freeze, Halons freeze and Methyl Bromide freeze as well as the status of ratification of amendments and the establishment of licensing systems, along with an open discussion on the difficulties faced. The group openly exchanged their experiences, problems, lessons learnt and success stories, and emphasized the importance of meeting the deadlines in order to submit the compulsory consumption reports to the relevant authorities and to the RNC to ensure the consideration of accurate data during the decision-making process. Great importance was attached to the implementation of licensing systems when dealing with illegal trade (a common problem in the region). To discuss the objectives of the Network for 2001 and different strategies for the implementation of recommendations according to the actual needs of the region. The discussion led to specific implementation steps to be followed by all parties involved. To update and discuss the status of Refrigerant Management Plans (RMPs) and the progress made in their implementation according to different related views. Emphasis on key points of Decision 31/48, experience to date, timing for RMP extensions, and proposed process for RMP extension. The discussion led to the consideration of all possible activities and sources/means to fund RMP extensions. To get an overview on the regional activities of Implementing Agencies (IAs) and to discuss the update of Country Programmes (CPs), needs and progress reached in approved projects and renewals. To discuss regional awareness-raising activities and to give ODS Officers some refreshing information on scientific findings.

6 3. Summary of the Meeting 3.1 Review of Network Members Compliance. Discussions and Working Groups on Licensing Systems and Amendment Ratification Mr. Marco A. Pinzon, Regional Networks Coordinator (RNC), delivered a report on the countries status of compliance regarding the CFC, Halons and MeBr freezes, as well as the ratification of amendments and the implementation of licensing systems. The main emphasis was placed on the need to comply with Article 7 of the Montreal Protocol (MP) and the importance of submitting accurate data to the Ozone Secretariat, the Multilateral Fund Secretariat (MFS) and the Implementation Committee according to the set deadlines. The importance of providing updated information to the RNC was also stressed, so that he is aware of the current situation in each country regarding MP compliance and specific needs. This, in turn, will allow the RNC to provide NOUs with more focused and fruitful assistance. Those who have not as yet submitted relevant data will face multiple inconveniences as they will be considered in non-compliance as the ExCom (ExCom) meets next July Status of CFC freeze. RNC has only received data for 2000 from Jamaica. CFC consumption has decreased considerably, particularly when compared with the increasing trend registered in Trinidad and Tobago and Guyana seem to be doing fine, but they have not submitted data for As for The Bahamas, information is lacking for both 1999 and The situation of Antigua and Barbuda is of concern: its consumption trend went from 2 tons in 1999 to 10 tons in St. Lucia and Grenada are doing fine, but there is no data available neither for St. Kitts and Nevis nor for Dominica. St. Vincent is in compliance, but the Ozone Officer underlined the fact that they have not done very well in complying with the licensing system, where they have faced problems of dumping and imports of used appliances in bad shape which at the end affects their CFCs consumption level. Mr. Geoffrey Tierney, Network Manager (NM), presented the following report on the situation of the region according to the 1999 data

7 available at the Ozone Secretariat (participants may request the RNC to forward them the actual tables should they need further detailed information). Countries in compliance: Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Dominica, Guyana, Jamaica, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, and Trinidad and Tobago. Countries in non-compliance: Belize, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines Countries who have not provided data for 1999: Bahamas, and Grenada New parties, urged to draft their CP: Haiti, and Suriname The RNC mentioned that, in general terms and according to the available data, the region is in compliance. Nevertheless, he underlined that compliance is a national issue, meaning that countries in non-compliance should rely on other countries and ask UNEP/ROLAC for assistance to speed up activities towards compliance. St. Lucia s consumption is decreasing considerably, even without a licensing system in place. The Ozone Officer confirmed that they stopped importing CFC-11 in 1998, but they have a reasonable level of consumption of CFC-12 that might come from stockpiling. They will have to check into the issue. The representative of Trinidad and Tobago asked what is being taken into consideration for the reporting of data since there might be great differences if it is reflecting only imports, or total imports minus exports. It is important to point out that this consumption levels refer to the Article 7 data that need to be sent to the Ozone Secretariat in

8 Nairobi, Kenya, each September according to the definition of consumption (production plus imports minus exports). All countries agreed in stating that their main problem is accomplishing the reporting of data, which means the need for more, better qualified and trained human resources at their NOUs. On the other hand, the coordination with other national authorities (e.g., Customs) needs improvement in every country. This discussion led to highlighting the importance of implementing licensing systems, which would then lead to customs officers training programs to ensure greater cooperation to accomplish goals and commitments to the MP Halons Freeze. The report of the RNC showed that the countries in the region are fully accomplishing the Halon freeze. The consumption level of Guyana was not clear; it was discussed, and it was noted that their 2000 consumption rate was updated to 0.2 ODP tons as in The Halon compliance data registered at the Ozone Secretariat for 1999 shows that the following countries have zero consumption: Bahamas, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, and St. Vincent and The Grenadines Countries in compliance: Antigua and Barbuda, Guyana, Jamaica, and Trinidad and Tobago Countries in non-compliance: Belize Countries still pending CP drafting: Haiti, and Suriname The only country facing considerable difficulties is Belize: they show an increase in consumption that goes from 0 (baseline) to 26.2 ODP tons in This could be a mistake in data gathering, and it shall be

9 clarified together by RNC and Belize at a future stage (the Ozone Officer did not attend the Meeting. The Bahamas, based on a comment made by Guyana, raised the issue of stockpiling, and expressed doubts on how to report such amounts. The NM replied by stating that since stockpiles do not refer neither to production nor to imports/exports, such information is of no relevance to the Article 7 consumption data to be reported, even though there might be some use from such stockpile. A considerably steady use from the stockpile might be reported, but rather to the MFS in the May annual report, where the usage of substances must be presented on a sector-by-sector basis. According to the NM, the only countries that should worry about their consumption of Halons are Belize, Guyana, Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago Methyl Bromide (MeBr) Freeze. The RNC presented a country-by-country consumption report prepared with the available data. As in the case of the CFCs consumption, there was a lack of accurate information provided by countries which made it difficult to assess the actual situation of the region regarding compliance with the freeze and thus, posing a new challenge on the RNC s responsibility of being familiar with the problems that the countries are facing. One of the issues raised was the use of different measures for consumption rates which leads to misunderstandings on the actual levels of consumption, being ODP tons the measure to be used when reporting to the Secretariat. The MeBr compliance data registered at the Ozone Secretariat for 1999 shows that the following countries have zero consumption: Antigua and Barbuda, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, St. Lucia, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines Countries in non-compliance: Bahamas, Barbados, Guyana, Jamaica, and Trinidad and Tobago Countries pending the submission of data:

10 St. Kitts and Nevis New parties who have not yet prepared their CP: Haiti, and Suriname Data reporting came to be, again, a problem in terms of accuracy since countries such as Bahamas, Guyana, Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago alleged to have a different baseline than the one they originally provided to the Ozone Secretariat (currently recorded in the official tables). These countries must send an official letter to the Ozone Secretariat with the updated baseline figures as soon as they confirm the accurate numbers to be reported. The Ozone Secretariat will only take it into consideration as long as it is official. The representative of Trinidad and Tobago mentioned their awareness of the fact that only now, with a licensing system in place and people trained on data reporting, the country will be able to provide accurate data for their consumption baseline. Barbados is going through an increase in their level of consumption due to the construction of golf courses, issue that has already been informed to the Secretariat and taken into consideration. At this point, as a result of a question raised by the representative of Antigua and Barbuda, the NM reminded Ozone Officers of the existence of an emergency use exemption introduced during the Seventh Meeting of the Parties (Vienna, December 5 7, 1995; Decision VII/5) for specific situations in which countries may be in the need of using the substance in order to combat, for instance, an infestation of pests Licensing System. The RNC urged countries to speed up the process for the implementation of licensing systems given their key role as instruments to try to control illegal trade and noting that only 4 countries have licensing systems in place. The Ozone Secretariat s report shows that countries with licensing systems in place are are: Antigua and Barbuda, Grenada 1 According to Article 2H (6) of the MP, this sort of uses should not be considered as consumption.

11 Jamaica Trinidad and Tobago Countries in the process of approval: Guyana St. Kitts and Nevis St. Lucia (as per up date given in the Meeting) Pending Countries: Bahamas Barbados Belize Dominica Haiti St. Vincent Suriname The NM informed Ozone Officers that in terms of imports from the European Union, a new regulation has been adopted to ban the export of CFC-containing and CFC-using equipment (refrigerators, cars with CFCs, etc), with only few exceptions. This provides countries with a legal tool to address the European Union should the regulation be violated. Besides, he reminded the countries that the Ozone Secretariat keeps and constantly circulates to exporting countries a list of parties that have stated their refusal to receive any kind of equipment that needs Annex A and Annex B substances of the MP 2 to operate. The representative of Antigua and Barbuda asked how to deal with certain trade bans necessary to comply with the MP when they might, in a certain way, conflict with World Trade Organization (WTO) commitments. This led to some other countries expressing the same concern. Philippe Chemouny, from Environment Canada (Canada) and Jim Traweek, from the United States Department of State (U.S.A.), said that it is their understanding that for WTO this is a decision of the parties, allowing the mechanism of the environmental agreement to 2 Decision X/9. Countries that do not want to receive products and equipment whose continuing functioning relies on Annex A and B substances.

12 take control whenever there might be some conflicts with certain trade measures Ratification of Amendments. In terms of the first two amendments, virtually all countries in the region have fulfilled their commitments; only two countries have not ratified these amendments. However, the same cannot be said when considering the last two amendments; it is important to weigh the main benefits they grant in order to realize the relevance of ratification. London Amendment 1990 (T. Article 10: Financial Mechanism). Ratification of this amendment guarantees safe access to the MFS and its benefits, being then extremely important to be ratified. All countries have already ratified this amendment except Suriname; however, ratification is in process. Copenhagen Amendment 1992 (G. Article 2F: Hydrochlorofluorocarbons; I. Article 2H: Methyl Bromide). Ratification of this amendment guarantees access to HCFCs and MeBr, including financing, since those substances were inserted in the MP at that time. Only two countries in the region have not ratified this amendment yet. 3 Briefly, the WTO s committee says the basic WTO principles of nondiscrimination and transparency do not conflict with trade measures needed to protect the environment, including actions taken under the environmental agreements. It also notes that clauses in the agreements on goods, services and intellectual property allow governments to give priority to their domestic environmental policies. The WTO s committee says the most effective way to deal with international environmental problems is through the environmental agreements. It says this approach complements the WTO s work in seeking internationally agreed solutions or trade problems. In other words, using the provisions of an international environmental agreement is better than one country trying on its own to change the countries environmental policies. The committee notes that actions taken to protect the environment and having an impact on trade can play an important role in some environmental agreement, particularly when trade is a direct cause of the environmental problems.

13 Montreal Amendment 1997 (F. Article 4B: Licensing System). Ratification of this amendment makes the licensing system mandatory and it is a way to demonstrate the governments commitment to control illegal trade. As of today, 50% of the region has already ratified the amendment. The NM suggested Ozone Officers to put forward a proposal to ratify the Montreal Amendment as a way to regain their governments awareness and interest in the MP, engaging them to have it through as soon as possible. He also emphasized the importance of this issue for the countries to have better control of many of the current problems they are facing when trying to fulfill their obligations. Jamaica raised a question on the implications of ratifying the Montreal amendments in terms of bans for MeBr imports from the United States since that is her government s main concern. Considering that the United States has not ratified the amendment, Jamaica worries that by ratifying it they might neglect access to United States MeBr which they need to import. Environment Canada mentioned that even though Canada has already ratified the Montreal Amendment and the United States has not, they are importing MeBr from the United States. He explained that even though the Montreal Amendment states the MeBr trading bans with non-parties, it is in the Copenhagen Amendment where the definition of nonparties is given. The NM confirmed this issue. Since this was the main problem Jamaica was facing for ratification, the Ozone Officer believes that this clarification could be a green light for her government to reconsider ratifying the Montreal Amendment. The representative of The Bahamas mentioned that ratification was approved by her government and it seems that the official confirmation procedure is currently taking place, which means that their position is likely to be registered in the Ozone Secretariat s official tables by August this year. Beijing Amendment 1999 (F. Article 4, paragraph 1 fifth; G. Article 4, paragraph 2 fifth) Non-parties will not be allowed to trade HCFCs. As of today, no country in the region has ratified the Beijing Amendment. The NM emphasized that it

14 would be easier if countries sent the Beijing Amendment to their Ministries along with the pending Montreal Amendment in order to speed up the process, because it takes less much trouble to handle two ratifications at the same time Final General Comments on Compliance. The RNC finished his presentation by emphasizing, once more, the obligation of the countries to comply with the timely submission of data reports as per Article 7 of the MP and to send such reports to UNEP/ROLAC so that the Coordination may better assist the network. The NM took the floor to reinforce this point by reminding the countries of the potential problems and inconveniences derived from the July 2001 ExCom Meeting considering that they have been providing funds for Institutional Strengthening (IS) to many countries for a reasonable period of time plus future projects to be assessed. He also mentioned that the ExCom may allege that there is no sense on financing projects when countries are not complying with their main responsibility of reporting the data for 2000 as due in May, It is also important for UNEP to understand what is happening in each one of the NOUs and what specific problems they are facing in order to know how to effectively address this data reporting issue. Furthermore, the NM pointed out that during the last ExCom Meeting it was mentioned that there are certain measures which only can be done by countries themselves such as the implementation of a licensing system and that projects and funding should be addressed only to countries with a licensing system in place. Finally, the NM encouraged the Ozone Officers, on behalf of the Ozone Secretariat, to please ratify the amendments and try to keep the MP, as much as possible, in the mind of their ministers. Countries agreed that these are important issues which require more discussion and analysis since there are different aspects to be considered when dealing with lack of compliance with data reporting requirements, implementation of licensing systems and ratification of amendments, such as inadequate funding for IS projects, lack of training, scarce human and logistical resources available, relevance and awareness of the MP, domestic institutional coordination and cooperation, among other matters, such as an improved knowledge of the different sectors and technical issues involved. The representative of Jamaica highlighted the importance of learning from other countries experiences, as in the case of customs training. The NM reminded the group that all reports on these training

15 workshops are available at UNEP/DTIE s web site, and that all of them include a set of experiences which might turn to be indeed useful for other Ozone Officers to avoid going through the same mistakes. 3.2 Working Groups Discussions In reviewing the results of the Network Evaluation, the group broke into two discussion groups in order to draft conclusions and recommendations on specific matters affecting the region Group A. Conclusions and Recommendations on Data Reporting, Ratification of Amendments and IS Projects. Group A included The Bahamas, Jamaica, Guyana, St. Vincent and The Grenadines, and Canada. Some of the problems with data reporting deal with the different methods used by countries. While some countries rely on their customs figures (Jamaica), others rely on their importers (The Bahamas and Guyana). In some cases reports are not delivered in time because of the lack of staff; one single Ozone Officer has to deal with many different issues besides their Ozone duties, thus facing considerable difficulties in trying to meet deadlines. Countries that rely on lists of importers have to take more time in order to try to collect all the data from them. In general, the countries consider that their consumption data is accurate and complete. It was also mentioned that some countries are still learning about their own sectors because in the past all the efforts were traditionally focused on refrigerants and overlooked other sectors. It was recommended to consider a project for data reporting so that Ozone Officers can do a better job and get the desired results. There is need for further follow up on this issue as to get an specific idea on the kind of project that would satisfy the countries needs and would not be conflictive with the IS projects. The group also discussed the need to encourage the active and high-level participation and commitment of government officers in order to provide more human resources to the NOUs; IS projects have been provided and now it would be useful to ratify the governments responsibility in complying with the duties and goals of the Programme. An initial step could be the effective implementation and enforcement of licensing systems in order to compel importers to submit data and ensure the accuracy of information at the Customs Offices.

16 The countries reported that they have been facing trade problems and misinterpretations regarding the ratification of amendments and its implications. Jamaica will sign the Beijing Amendment after signing the Montreal Amendment and considering the clarification of doubts that Jamaica received earlier in the meeting, this might be done soon. Bahamas and Guyana mentioned that they still have to initiate discussions on this in order to assure ratification. The countries mentioned the following as the main difficulties being faced and having an impact on the implementation of there is projects: staffing (staff could be cut down in Guyana), data reporting, funding for public awareness activities, renewals, internal government problems and delays in funding. They consider that a good solution would be to analyze all the needs in order to decide the amount of funding and work required to tackle a specific problem in each country, a group of countries or the region as a whole Group B. Conclusions and Recommendations on Compliance (Meeting the CFCs, MeBr and Halons Freezes; the 50% cut in 2005 and 85% cut in 2007). Group B included Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, St. Lucia, Trinidad and Tobago, and the United States. Main difficulties faced are illegal trade, old vehicles and other technologies. Meeting the freeze has not been easy, and the greatest challenge is CFCs. It was recommended to enforce a licensing system and make retrofitting mandatory to convert R12 into R12-free technology; Subsequent reductions in 2005 and 2007 are attainable; however, concerns were that, in time, new demands for R12 will keep coming in, and this must not be overlooked. Licensing systems and regulation systems need to include labeling, training, enforcement by customs offices and penalties both at the Protocol and the national levels. There was no consensus on what the penalties should be for each violation, and there was some concern on the increase of R12 consumption and how to deal with it. This needs to be quantified, as the representative of the United States emphasized, so as to have enough information to deal with the problem. The discussion moved on to what could be done with R12 that should not be used. Comments were made on environmental friendly

17 disposals, recovery and recycling. Canada reminded the group that during the Meeting of the Parties held in Burkina Faso, discussions were held on long term technology options for contaminated ODS and, along with the RNC, emphasized on reclamation plants (in the United States and Venezuela, for example) that can be an alternative. Canada summarized that it all depends on the political will and economic capacity of governments to invest in disposal technologies to destroy CFCs, Halons, etc., and the NM pointed out that considering the low consumption level of certain countries and the high costs involved, some countries may rather work on getting rid of CFCs instead of the circle of recovering and recycling that may turn out to be expensive. 3.3 Objectives of the Networks for 2001 and Recommendations Derived from the Evaluation The NM and the RNC jointly covered this item of the Agenda with the support of draft tables previously distributed to Ozone Officers for their review and assessment Objectives. Countries were given a draft table with the Objectives 2001 for the Latin American and the Caribbean Networks for them to go through them and provide any relevant observations/suggestions they may have come up with throughout the development of the Meeting. During the discussion groups session it was mentioned that this could also be done through the e-forum in order for NOUs to openly discuss and agree on the final contents of the objectives.

18 Final Table Objectives 2001: CARIBBEAN NETWORK Agreed Objectives 2001 OBJECTIVES Long Term and beyond Facilitate regional compliance with MP including meeting reduction targets and putting legislation in place Facilitate preparation and implementation of projects in the commercial refrigeration sector regional or national projects on destruction of CFCs that cannot be recycled EXPECTED RESULTS Member countries of the Caribbean network will put the necessary policies and legislation in place and meet their compliance commitments through to 2007 Projects required to assist member countries with these issues will be prepared and, if approved, implemented. NETWORK ACTIVITIES Compliance sessions at regular network meetings Special workshops for countries not in compliance Visits by RNC or other NOUs to countries experiencing difficulties Review of projects already approved and being implemented to identify any bottlenecks and ways to improve progress Preparation of draft projects to address further regional needs in these areas INPUT AND RESOURCES Regular network funding Full time RNC and assistant Additional funding if special visits or workshops are required Part of normal network activities Information from countries and implementing agencies on progress to date and future needs PERFORMANCE MEASUREMENT Regular reporting on compliance status Number of special initiatives organised or undertaken by the network to assist countries at risk of non-compliance Better implementation of approved projects addressed by the network Preparation, approval and implementation of new projects to respond to priority network needs ASSUMPTIONS AND RISKS Countries attend and participate in network activities Governments are committed to putting in place policies and legislation Countries get timely and adequate assistance from the Multilateral Fund Any problems identified can be solved by action in or through the network ExCom is prepared to approve activities concerning CFC destruction

19 OBJECTIVES Medium Term Prepare regional projects Implement single stage data reporting system Improve capability of NOUs and customs authorities to monitor, control and prevent illegal ODS trade between network countries EXPECTED RESULTS Countries will benefit from regional projects to improve their phase out and compliance Simplified data reporting system for more complete, consistent and accurate data Network countries share information on imports and exports of ODS Reduction in illegal trade among network countries NETWORK ACTIVITIES Discuss possible regional projects and collectively prepare proposals for submission Organise regional data collection and verification system based on RNC database Organisation of meeting(s) for NOUs and enforcement officers back to back with network meetings. Promotion of information sharing INPUT AND RESOURCES Regular network funding. Input from project experts as required RNC time and computing/e-forum facilities UNEP and RNC to assist countries to prepare database on customs issues and e- forum for customs officers PERFORMANCE MEASUREMENT More regional projects submitted and approved Single stage data reporting system in place by end 2001 Better exchange of information and identifiable success in reducing illegal trade ASSUMPTIONS AND RISKS ExCom approval of regional project approach Regional projects are able to achieve national reductions Co-operation of Secretariats with single stage reporting system Better exchange of information and identifiable success in reducing illegal trade Promote greater coordination with climate change officers in the region Better co-ordination and communication between ozone and climate officers Identify climate change officers in network countries Organise joint meeting Initial discussions part of regular network activities but joint meeting would require additional funding from outside MLF Greater contact at national and regional levels between ozone and climate officers Joint meeting held Availability of additional funding for joint meeting Willingness of climate officers to become involved.

20 OBJECTIVES Short Term Accelerate implementation of approved projects Accelerate preparation of new projects Implement regional awareness raising activities Prepare concept paper on sustainable alternative technology regional project Verify regional ODS database Improve rate of data reporting by countries in the region EXPECTED RESULTS Fewer delayed projects and faster phase out More projects prepared and approved for countries and the region Higher regional focus to awareness raising, less duplication of efforts, bigger impact Greater clarity on sustainable alternatives to ODS. Contribution to the wider debate on technology choice Better regional data and database Better data reporting and better assessment of progress towards compliance NETWORK ACTIVITIES Regular review of project implementation schedules Regular review of project preparation, submission and approval. Joint preparation of project proposals Discuss, agree and implement regional activities Network will provide a forum to debate the concept paper and to discuss with experts. Network will co-ordinate the paper Regular review of data and ideas to improve the regional database Regular review and discussion of data and problems in reporting INPUT AND RESOURCES Regular network funding; IAs Part of regular network activities. Information from implementing agencies and countries Additional funds for regionalisation of awareness raising Regular part of network activities with visiting expert Regular part of network meetings Regular part of network meetings PERFORMANCE MEASUREMENT Reduction in number of delayed projects and lengths of delay Increase in number of projects prepared and approved for the region. Ozone Day 2001 organised regionally Concept paper prepared by end 2001 Accurate and useful database exists by end 2001 Better data reporting ASSUMPTIONS AND RISKS Delays caused by factors influenced by NOUs, IAs and network Delays caused by factors influenced by NOUs, IAs and network NOUs will find time to make the necessary arrangements Willingness of governments to address the issues NOUs have collected and reported their country data Government commitments to better reporting

21 OBJECTIVES Increase participation of countries in network activities and interaction among member countries Assist NOUs to sustain the CFC freeze and to put in place measures to achieve the cuts in 2005 and 2007 Assist NOUs to prepare and implement strategies to meet the MBr and halon reduction targets in 2002 and 2005 EXPECTED RESULTS More useful network meetings and wider exchange of ideas and experiences within the network NOUs will improve their knowledge and awareness of remaining consumption and will formulate strategies to achieve compliance NOUs will improve their awareness of remaining consumption and will formulate strategies to achieve compliance, including putting in place any necessary regulations NETWORK ACTIVITIES Active outreach and encouragement to those who do not attend regularly or participate in activities Network will exchange experience and ideas on how to phase out in SME, end-users and servicing sectors. Network will discuss innovative approaches to phase out MBr and halons in light of MBr guidelines and possible investment projects INPUT AND RESOURCES May require visit from RNC or neighboring NOU and greater follow up by and telephone NOUs to review their CPs (+ RMPs) and remaining CFC consumption. IAs and RNC to assist countries with CP and RMP reviews NOUs to collect better information on QPS uses of MBr and regulations that might require its use and on halon critical uses.. PERFORMANCE MEASUREMENT Aim is 100% attendance unless illness or travel problems prevent and full participation in the e-forum Report by NOUs on remaining CFC consumption and plans for compliance Report by NOUs on strategies to meet halon and MBr phase out targets. ASSUMPTIONS AND RISKS Governments willing to authorise NOUs to attend NOO could not attend network meetings because of other duties NOOs will have the necessary time and resources to identify remaining CFC consumption and formulate plans for compliance Greater clarity is needed on QPS uses of MBr and critical uses of halon in the network countries NOOs will have the necessary time and resources to identify remaining CFC consumption and formulate plans for compliance

22 3.3.2 Recommendations. Countries were given a table based on the recommendations prepared by the Senior Monitoring and Evaluation Officer during the Main Meeting of the ODS Officers Network of the English-speaking Caribbean held in St. John s, Antigua and Barbuda, on June 13 16, The NM explained that the final table he prepared for Ozone Officers is based on the seven (vii) recommendations issued under ExCom Decision 33/3 as a result of their analysis of the document prepared by the Evaluation Officer. The table includes 5 columns, the first two clearly state the recommendations, the third is in blank in order to provide implementation steps according to how the Caribbean Network would like to implement them, should they be interested in doing so, then the fourth column points out the responsible authorities (which the Ozone Officers could have changed if they thought it necessary), and the fifth column states deadlines, whenever applicable. The RNC divided the Ozone Officers in two groups in order to discuss the recommendations. Group No. 1 included Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Jamaica, St. Lucia and the United States; Group No. 2 included The Bahamas, Guyana, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, and Canada. After the working group discussions, presentations were delivered by both groups to share ideas and draft a Network paper. All the participants agreed on the recommendations and implementation steps suggested. The following table is the result of such discussions.

23 IMPLEMENTING THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE NETWORK EVALUATION Caribbean NETWORK No Recommendation Implementation steps Responsible Deadline 1 To formulate and refine of objectives, sub-objectives, related results and indicators for the networks as a whole and for each region which clearly indicated their relationship to Article 5 countries obligations under the Montreal Protocol, from a short- and medium-term perspective, and reflect those objectives in its annual work programmes 2 To ensure that follow-up meetings focus on a limited number of priority tasks and issues by combining them whenever possible with complementary meetings and workshops addressing the targeted tasks and issues (see also #9) 3 To hold network meetings back-to-back with, for instance, meetings of environment ministers and senior officials in the regions, in order to raise political awareness concerning ozone issues in the region and to promote policy discussions and regional approaches (see also #11) 4 To encourage and facilitate more intensive contacts and information exchange between different networks. Regional Network Coordinators should also be urged to use the forum set up for consultation between Regional Network Coordinators when preparing for network meetings Being done as part of annual network planning. NOUs discuss and agree objectives via the e- forum and at network meetings. Agree recommendation. Network will use the main meeting to select focus areas for follow up meetings and workshops and to prepare the outline agenda. Host countries will also be decided well in advance. St Vincent will investigate with the CARICOM Secretariat how to link the network more with CARICOM meetings, especially to discuss issues such as illegal trade. The network meeting could be held back to back with ministers meetings, but ozone is not always in Environment Ministries and would require changing the regular meeting times for the network. Already being done. NOUs RNC UNEP NOUs RNC NOUs RNC UNEP RNCs UNEP Early year n/a in Plan meeting dates early in year Ongoing

24 No Recommendation Implementation steps Responsible Deadline 5 To identify facilitators to chair or facilitate the discussion on substantive issues at sessions of the meeting. To increase member States sense of ownership, such facilitators should be selected from within the network, for example, by electing member State representatives as Chair for one year to assist the Network Manager and Regional Network Coordinator (see also #10). 6 Arrangements should be made that prior to network meetings participants are well prepared. They should, therefore, receive a) the detailed annotated agenda, b) all country reports to be dealt with at the meeting, and c) issues that must be decided by the end of the meeting. This would enable the participants to prepare themselves better for the meeting and save time for discussion. Country progress reports should focus more on specific problems or lessons learnt and be presented and discussed issue-by-issue and not country-by-country, as practiced already in some network meetings in (para 50) 7 Documentation of the ExCom and the Meeting of the Parties should be made accessible to all Ozone Officers via mail, and/or the respective web sites of UNEP, the Multilateral Fund Secretariat and the Ozone Secretariat. While this is already done for the final reports of the meetings, Ozone Officers should address themselves to representatives of their constituency in the ExCom to obtain further meeting documentation and information on matters raised and issues discussed at the meetings, as needed. (p.51) Network will select facilitators based on their areas of expertise and the agenda of the meetings. RNC to propose facilitators as part of the draft agenda circulated for comments. Network will select a Chair (normally the host country) on a rota basis for 6-month periods between meetings. Responsibilities of the Chair will be defined but will include following up on recommendations. Information is usually sent out in good time by UNEP NOUs will confirm more in advance that they can attend the meeting so that they can make the necessary preparations. Network will continue to discuss issue by issue but include specific examples from countries where relevant. Countries request the network to provide more focused assistance and help for individual countries with specific needs. Recommendation agreed. The network would like to remind its ExCom representatives of their duties, including gathering views from countries prior to ExCom meetings, putting those views forward during meetings and reporting back to the network afterwards on the outcome. The network will request its ExCom representatives to attend network meetings on a regular basis. NOUs RNC RNC NOUs ExCom reps. RNC UNEP Meeting by meeting Follow agreed meeting planning schedule Before each ExCom

25 No Recommendation Implementation steps Responsible Deadline 8 In order to facilitate more exchange and interaction between meetings, the on-going development of an e- mail forum and a web site of the networks should be rapidly completed and its functioning be demonstrated at forthcoming network meetings. This could significantly contribute to the improvement of communication and cooperation among network members. (p.52) 9 Follow-up meetings should be more technical in nature than main meetings and should be combined with training programmes or workshops on specific subjects (as done in Asia in 2000 with a workshop on monitoring of ODS consumption and trade) and/or be held with members of a more homogeneous subregion only. They should work as expert groups on detailed problem solving and concrete advice to the participating members, and on the development of regional solutions to problems, for example, with regard to controlling ODS imports, and in particular, illegal trade. (p53 but see also #2) 10 While it is customary to elect the National Ozone Unit Officer of the host country as a Chairperson for the network meeting, especially to chair the opening ceremonial session, facilitators should be identified to chair or to facilitate the discussion at sessions of the meeting on substantive issues. Meeting places or venues should be selected as much as possible, with a view to enable round table discussions after the opening part is over. (p54 but see also #5) forum is already in place but so far is not very well used. The network agreed to identify issues or themes and use the e-forum to exchange ideas and prepare network papers on the selected topics. The network is undecided whether a separate network website is necessary, given the UNEP DTIE and Regional Office websites. Once the draft agenda is prepared and the topics identified, the RNC and members of the network should select appropriate experts from the region to attend the meeting and provide expert input. The network did not think it necessary to subdivide into sub-regional groups. See Number 5 for implementation of facilitators. Meeting places are usually appropriate for discussions. NOUs RNC NOUs RNC NOUs Host country Meeting planning schedule Meeting by meeting

26 No Recommendation Implementation steps Responsible Deadline 11 Network meetings could also be held back-to-back with meetings of environment ministers and senior officials in the regions, in order to raise the political awareness concerning ozone issues in the region and to promote policy discussions on regional approaches, for example, with regard to trade regulations and controls of licensed and illegal imports. (p.55 = #3) 12 Tutorships for new Ozone Officers by representatives of more advanced National Ozone Units, as well as the organization of specific training programmes should become an even more regular feature of network activities. This should include visits of Regional Network Coordinators to National Ozone Units in difficulties as necessary and practiced successfully in some cases in 2000.(p.56) 13 More intensive contacts and information exchange between different networks should be encouraged and facilitated. It is recommended to invite Ozone Officers with particular experience in a given field of action to meetings of other regional networks (as started in 2000), or a Network Coordinator from another network, or a resource person such as a customs officer, a legal counselor or a representative of an industry association to report on experiences and to stimulate discussions on common issues under different political, economic or legal conditions in another region.(p.57) See implementation steps for Number 3. NOUs having difficulties should identify themselves and their problems to the RNC or Network Chair. Other NOUs and/or the RNC are ready and available to provide the necessary assistance. New Ozone Officers should continue to be assisted by those more experienced. NOUs that do not attend meetings will be contacted by the RNC, Chair and other Ozone Officers to find out what the problems are and to propose solutions. There is some good exchanges of information within the network but there should be more communication between meetings. The network agreed to identify the issues to exchange with other networks and to identify persons to attend relevant meetings. NOUs RNC UNEP RNC NOUs NOUs RNC UNEP As required when new Ozone Officers join Ongoing

27 No Recommendation Implementation steps Responsible Deadline 14 Strengthen sub-regional cooperation for common problems being faced that can be treated by joint action. Greater emphasis should be laid on interaction of countries with similar conditions and problems, for example, South Africa and its neighbours, the Maghreb or the Arab Gulf countries, small islands or CFC-producer countries (p.58). 15 Meeting recommendations should be carefully drafted and systematically followed up and their implementation closely monitored, avoiding at the same time dressing up wish lists as recommendations. The procedure for report writing should be revised in order to include a permanent section about follow-up actions. Such actions should be reviewed in the following meeting.(p.59) 16 The networks should continue to provide a forum in their region where Implementing Agencies, the Secretariat and non-article 5 countries meet Ozone Officers and discuss and clarify issues related to projects and policies, share and update information and exchange feedback on each others' perceptions, actions and concerns.(p.60) 17 UNEP, as practiced to some extent already, should consult the Implementing Agencies and the Secretariats about the draft agenda and dates of network meetings in order to allow them to plan their participation and add topics to the agenda, as appropriate.(p.61) There are already good links between countries in the sub-region. The network will link more closely with CARICOM and OECS to co-operate on specific issues such as licensing systems and customs. The RNC should invite CARICOM to the main meetings. The Network Chair will have the responsibility for following up on recommendations. The network will set aside time to discuss the recommendations from the previous meetings at the start of each meeting. Recommendations and items for discussion can be exchanged by even before the meeting to assist the discussion and avoid creating wish lists. The Agencies and Secretariats will continue to be invited to the main meetings. Ongoing. NOUs UNEP NOUs RNC RNC UNEP Agencies RNC UNEP Agencies Meeting by meeting Each main meeting Each meeting

28 No Recommendation Implementation steps Responsible Deadline 18 UNEP, through its Regional Offices, should help to mainstream the ozone issues into the general environmental agenda of Article 5 countries, particularly through their Regional Directors when visiting high level government officials, including Ministers of Environment in countries within their respective regions. The Regional Network Coordinators are well placed to provide the necessary briefing for such discussions. 19 To report on the results achieved, in relation to the objectives defined in the work programmes, in its annual progress report. Ongoing Already being done RNC UNEP RNCs UNEP Ongoing Annually