The summary report of the first international CCS Knowledge Sharing Symposium is now available for download.

This summary report gives an overview of each presentation beginning with the local context of the infrastructure in place for CCS in Trinidad and Tobago, followed by international knowledge sharing and discussion on way forward for Trinidad and Tobago. This report captures the key content, conclusions and recommendations reached during the symposium and the following roundtable discussion. 
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ST. AUGUSTINE, Trinidad and Tobago. November 8, 2019 – “The more we disrupt our climate, the more we risk severe, pervasive and irreversible impacts, we have the means to limit climate change and build a more prosperous, sustainable future” said Mr. Tim Dixon (pictured above), General Manager of the IEA Greenhouse Gas R&D Programme (IEAGHG), at the recent International Knowledge-Sharing Symposium aimed at reducing carbon dioxide emissions in the energy sector.
This symposium titled “Developing of a Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) Programme in Trinidad and Tobago” was organised by the CO2 Emission Reduction Mobilisation (CERM) Project partners; The UWI St. Augustine Campus and The University of Trinidad and Tobago (UTT) in collaboration with IEAGHG and the University of Texas, Austin. The symposium, which took place on October 29 -30 at the UTT Energy Campus, Pt. Lisas, included participants from several government institutions, the local energy sector, the World Bank and the International CCS Knowledge Centre and was sponsored by BHP and BPTT.
The UWI St. Augustine is partnering with the University of Texas, Austin and UTT to create a new clean industry that will store greenhouse gases underground and mitigate Trinidad and Tobago’s contribution to human-induced climate change. Notably, Carbon Dioxide Enhanced Oil Recovery (CO2EOR) and CCS have been positioned as two key technologies in carbon dioxide emission reduction. CCS has significant potential to mitigate climate change, particularly in countries with large reserves of fossil fuels and a fast-increasing energy demand. CO2EOR, on the other hand, has been identified by industry experts, researchers and local oil producers as a viable option for increasing Trinidad and Tobago’s heavy oil production.
Minister of Planning and Development, the Honourable Camille Robinson-Regis delivered the symposium’s feature address noting that Trinidad and Tobago was the first Caribbean country and second Small Island Developing State (SIDS) to submit its international commitment to climate change, back in August 2015. “This commitment formally became the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) of Trinidad and Tobago upon ratification of the Paris Agreement in February 2018. It is arguably, the most ambitious national target in the region. Trinidad and Tobago declared the NDC to reduce overall emissions in the power generation, transportation and industrial sectors by 103 million tonnes of equivalent carbon dioxide emissions.”​

Dr. Lorraine Sobers, CERM Project Coordinator and Lecturer in Petroleum Engineering at The UWI St. Augustine Campus shared public perspectives on greenhouse gas emission reduction in Trinidad and Tobago; highlighted opportunities for carbon dioxide emission reduction through CCS and CO2EOR and, the need for methane emission reduction. 
Following the symposium, The UWI and its partners under the CERM project intend to build public awareness of the initiative in Trinidad and Tobago. Dr Sobers also noted that CERM will focus on capacity building at educational institutions, international partnerships and local research and development of CCS and CO2EOR.
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 The CERM Project and its collaborators, IEAGHG and the University of Texas at Austin, take this opportunity to thank the Honourable Minister Camille Robinson-Regis, Planning and Development, our symposium host, The University of Trinidad and Tobago, specially invited guests, our valued sponsors BHP and BPTT, the National Energy Corporation, the Chemical Engineering and Marketing & Communications Departments at The University of the West Indies, and the splendid participants of our recently concluded knowledge-sharing symposium "Developing a National CCS Programme for Trinidad and Tobago".

We look forward to engaging with all our stakeholders. Stay tuned for updates!

.The Energy Chamber hosted the Energy Efficiency and Renewables Conference June 10-11, 2019 with the theme "Industry Collaboration for a Low Carbon Future.  Dr. Lorraine Sobers delivered a presentation titled "Opportunities in Greenhouse Gas Emission Reduction". During her presentation Dr. Sobers revealed the results of the latest CERM Poll and conducted a live poll with the audience for comparison. 

CERM Newsletter Results​
When asked similar questions, 89% of the CERM survey respondents answer yes to taxation and tax breaks for carbon emission reduction. There was an almost an equal split for those who responded "No" and "Not Sure" in both instances. 
For results of the 2nd CERM Survey check out our latest Newsletter. You can find results of our 1st CERM Survey in the May 2018 CERM Newsletter

Trinidad and Tobago, as a signatory to the Paris Agreement and as a member of the Small Island Developing States, participated in the 24th session of the Conference of the Parties  to the United Nations Framework on Climate Change, held in Katowice, Poland 2-14 December, 2018.

CO2EOR and CCS are two methods of carbon storage that can help to reduce overall carbon dioxide emissions. To see how these two methods compare, check out our infographic below!

An integral part of project management is goal setting. In order to successfully complete objectives, project managers set SMART goals for team members to accomplish.

A SMART goal is one that is detailed, clearly defined, and understandable. It should allow project members to track their progress upon completion of the goal. When setting SMART goals, it is important for the project manager to ensure that each goal is comprised of tasks that are achievable and practical. Finally, all SMART goals should have a deadline, or a time period in which they must be done.

Using these tips can help you set SMART goals for your project! For more project management tips, check out our previous posts on Logical Frameworks and Road Maps.

This week's Knowledge Series focuses on another Enhanced Oil Recovery method that is similar to CO2EOR - Nitrogen Injection (N2EOR). To see how these two methods compare, check out the infographic below!