Montreal, Canada: Grenada is among the first Latin American and Caribbean countries to received approval of funding for the Hydro Chlorofluorocarbons (HCFC) Phase Out Management Plan (HPMP).
The decision was taken at the just concluded 62nd Meeting of the Executive Committee of the Multilateral Fund for the Implementation of the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer in Montreal, Canada.
Having successfully met the phase-out targets for Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) in 2010, Grenada is now attempting to phase-out another group of chemicals with lower Ozone Depleting Potential (ODP) referred to as hydro chlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs). These HCFCs are used only in the refrigeration and air-conditioning servicing sector in Grenada.
This new project was prepared after extensive local survey in the refrigeration and air-conditioning sector and several national stakeholder consultations. The project was submitted to the Montreal-based Multi-lateral Fund Secretariat for approval in August of this year.
The committee approved the requested funding for Grenada of US $210,000.00 to phase out 35% of HCFC consumption by the year 2020. The intermediate phase-out targets set by the Montreal Protocol would require Grenada to freeze its consumption level in the year 2013, at the average of it 2009 and 2010 consumption and to reduce consumption by 10% of the baseline in the year 2015.
This phase out target is set for all developing countries. The phasing out of the Ozone Depleting Gases will also yield synergistic climate benefits since these gases are also potent green house gases with significant Global Warming Potential (GWP).
Grenada is among the first Caribbean countries to receive approval for this project and among the first 30 of the 196 Parties that have signed the Montreal Protocol. The other Caribbean states that received approval for similar projects were Belize and Dominica.
Grenada’s delegation at the meeting further submitted a request to the Executive Committee to increase the disbursement of fund for the first five years from 27% of the total funding to 50%. This proposal was also approved. The first tranche is expected to be disbursed to the country in January of 2011.
Grenada was represented at the Executive Committee meeting by Committee member for 2010 – 2011, Project Officer in the National Ozone Unit, Energy Division, Mr. Leslie Smith. The National Ozone Unit is charged with the responsibility to successfully implement of the activities included in the project in order to meet and sustain the Montreal Protocol targets..
