Gov’t working towards reducing use of refrigerants

As Government continues to put measures in place to phase out ozone-depleting substances, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of the Environment and Beautification Charley Browne is urging all stakeholders to play their part in helping the country to meet its goals.

Browne pledged that the Mia Mottley administration would continue to do what it could to ensure the island meets its obligation of phasing out the ozone depleting substances, which are mainly found in refrigerators, air conditioners and fire extinguishers.

As such, Browne said Government would continue to ensure that young people were given the opportunity to carry out studies in the necessary fields.

He made the comments while speaking at a special ceremony at the Samuel Jackman Prescod Institute of Technology on Friday, where five students were presented with certificates of achievement and cheques for the National Ozone Depleting Substances Phased-Out Support Scholarship for the 2021/2022 academic year.

Browne said the scholarships were an additional avenue to safeguarding the environment, supporting the development of youth in Barbados and positively influencing change in the refrigerator and air conditioning industry.

“In response to our international obligations, my ministry has utilised a multi-sectoral and multi-discipline approach to developing and implementing the plans, programmes and activities necessary to sequentially phase out the consumption of certain refrigerants such as R22 and R4068 (a form of propellant and refrigerant) by January 1, 2030,” said Browne.

“While we pursue the transformation of the local refrigerator and air conditioning sector by using a combination of policies and legislation, capacity-building and education and awareness raising activities, it remains imperative that stakeholders operating in the sector play their part as well.

“Therefore, attributes such as the broad-base adoption of good service practices among the refrigeration and air conditioning technicians, particularly the recovery of refrigerant from the equipment and transition to the use of environmentally friendly and energy efficient alternatives, are of vital importance,” he warned.

Barbados has set a 2024 date for a national freeze on hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) refrigerants and a 2030 ban on imports and exports of hydrochlorofluorocarbon (HCFC) refrigerants.

Browne urged stakeholders to continue to be mindful and practical in the way they choose refrigerants and service equipment.

He said in addition to policies, the Ministry of the Environment and Beautification would continue to place emphasis on the youth as Barbados strives towards its goals.

“The youth remain key to creating a cleaner and greener environment. We therefore recognise the importance of targeting the students of the refrigerator and air conditioning profession who are at the vanguard of the refrigerator and air conditioning technician field. We see your development as a critical component to achieving and sustaining the success of local, and by extension global measures, to protect the ozone layer and reduce the impact of climate change,” said Browne.

The partnership between the ministry and the SJPI, which has been in place since 2014, has so far resulted in the awarding of some 13 scholarships. (MM)