Project to Phase out HCFCs Gets $11 Million

A sum of $11.2 million has been allocated for the hydro chlorofluorocarbons (HCFC) Phase out Management Plan Implementation Project, in the 2015/16 Estimates of Expenditure.

The proposed budget is now before the Standing Finance Committee of the House of Representatives.

The project seeks to freeze importation of HCFCs at 2009 and 2010 average import levels (baseline consumption) and reduce baseline consumption by 10 per cent.

Anticipated targets for the new fiscal year include: hosting one 3-day training of trainers workshop on good practices on refrigeration and alternatives to HCFC in Westmoreland; hosting one 1-day good practice training workshop for technicians in the air-conditioning and refrigeration sectors in Kingston; procuring equipment for use during the train the trainers and technicians’ workshops and for distribution to 20 technicians.

Also, procuring consultant to revise code of practice for the refrigeration and air conditioning industry; engaging firm to do art work and print revised code of practice for the refrigeration and air conditioning industry; procuring refrigerant identifier for Jamaica Customs Agency; and conducting workshop on use of refrigerant identifier.

Some of the achievements of the project since it started in June 2012 include: the hosting of several workshops across the island; the hiring of local and international consultants; procuring of equipment, such as four multi-refrigerant identifiers, recovery machines, safety glasses and workman gloves, recovery cylinders, among others.

The project is being financed by the United Nations Development Programme, and the United Nations Environmental Programme and is scheduled to end in March 2016.

It falls under the Ministry of Water, Land, Environment and Climate Change, and will be implemented by the National Environment and Planning Agency.