Department of Environment - National Ozone Unit

𝐉𝐨𝐢𝐧 𝗨𝘀 𝗔𝘁 𝐎𝐮𝐫 𝐆𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐞𝐭
📅 Date: September 30, 2025
📍 Location: Royal Basseterre Valley National Grounds
🎉 Organized by: National Ozone Unit, Department of Environment
This year’s theme, “40 Years of the Vienna Convention: From Science to Global Action,” highlights four decades of global efforts to protect our ozone layer. This event is an opportunity to celebrate sustainability, educate the public and promote local action to protect our livelihood.
What to Expect:
✅ Eco-friendly vendors – Support local businesses from St. Kitts & Nevis offering sustainable products & fresh produce.
♻️ Recycling Station – Learn about waste reduction & proper disposal.
💡 Energy Efficiency Showcase – Discover ways to save energy & reduce emissions.
❄️ RAC Sector Engagement – Meet certified technicians & explore ozone-friendly cooling solutions.
📚 Educational Tents – Dive into the history of ozone protection & its global impact.
Why Attend?
👉 Empower yourself with knowledge on sustainable living.
👉Shop local & reduce your environmental footprint.
👉Connect with experts & advocates driving green change.
Who Should Come?
🌱 Residents, students, educators, entrepreneurs, environmentalists, and anyone passionate about a greener future!
Let’s honor 40 years of global action by taking local steps toward sustainability. See you there! 🌿✨

📢 Important Update for the Refrigerant Industry!

The Licensing and Quota System (LQS) is now officially in effect and registration is OPEN! ✅

We know that navigating new systems can be confusing, so we’ve made it simple. Our latest visual guide breaks down the LQS in a way that's quick and easy to understand whether your brand new to the system or just need a refresher.

🧊 If you work with refrigerants as a business or individual this is a must-know update.
📄 The LQS applies to how refrigerants are imported, exported, manufactured, or used.

📍Check out the simplified diagram and get registered today!

🌍 Protecting Our Ozone Layer – St. Kitts at the Table 🇰🇳✈️
Kolene Latham, Ozone Officer at the Department of Environment, St. Kitts, proudly represented the Federation at the 47th Meeting of the Open-ended Working Group (OEWG47) of the Montreal Protocol, held in Bangkok, Thailand from July 7–11, 2025.

This global gathering brought together parties from around the world to discuss critical matters concerning the protection and recovery of the ozone layer, including preparation for the upcoming 37th Meeting of the Parties (MOP37) scheduled for November in Nairobi.

Throughout the five-day meeting, Ms. Lathan participated in high-level discussions, contact groups, and technical sessions, ensuring that small island perspectives were represented on key issues such as:
🔬 Expanding atmospheric monitoring under the Vienna Convention
🌐 Financing research and systematic observations
📄 Drafting decisions to be considered later this year at MOP37
As the world continues its efforts to phase out ozone-depleting substances and tackle climate change, the involvement of countries like St. Kitts and Nevis remains crucial.

👏 We extend our thanks and congratulations to Mrs. Latham for her dedication and advocacy on behalf of the Federation and the Caribbean region.

🌎✨ Caribbean Climate Action in Focus: Regional Workshop Held in Grenada ❄️

From June 16–18, 2025, our very own St. Kitts & Nevis National Ozone Officer, Mrs. Kolene Latham, and RAC Technician, Mr. Bevis Brookes, participated in a pivotal regional event held on the beautiful island of Grenada the 2025 Caribbean Thematic Network Meeting, hosted by the UNEP OzonAction Compliance Assistance Programme (CAP) Caribbean Regional Team.

Held in St. George’s, this high-level gathering brought together National Ozone Officers, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning (RAC) technicians, and other key stakeholders from across the region, all united by a common mission:

🌱 To advance the goals of the Montreal Protocol,
🌍 Strengthen the fight against climate change, and
❄️ Promote sustainable cooling solutions across the Caribbean.

The meeting also focused on supporting the total HCFC phase-out, preparing for the HFC phase-down, enhancing energy efficiency in cooling systems, and strengthening national/regional RAC associations.

🔹 Why This Meeting Matters
The Montreal Protocol continues to be one of the world’s most successful environmental treaties phasing out harmful ozone-depleting substances like HCFCs and guiding the phase-down of HFCs, powerful greenhouse gases. This workshop supports that mission by:
✅ Strengthening regional cooperation among 14 Caribbean nations
✅ Empowering RAC technicians and building stronger national/regional associations
✅ Promoting energy-efficient, low-GWP cooling technologies
✅ Supporting policies and strategies that align with the Kigali Amendment

🔧 Cool Skills for a Cooler Future
The meeting emphasized the critical role of RAC technicians in building climate-resilient economies. Discussions centered on technical capacity, energy efficiency regulations, and how the cooling sector can contribute to both ozone protection and climate mitigation.

🌱 Investing in Youth & Sustainability
Building on the momentum from the 2024 Workshop for Youth in RSS (Belize City), this meeting also focused on empowering young professionals and developing actionable strategies for future engagement across all participating countries.

🔍 Looking Ahead
Participants left with renewed energy, stronger networks, and a clearer roadmap for achieving the 2025 HCFC phase-out and future HFC phase-down targets ensuring that the Caribbean stays cool, efficient, and sustainable.

👏 We are proud of Mrs. Latham and Mr. Brookes for representing St. Kitts & Nevis and to all the participants, presenters, and organizers for their commitment to a greener, cooler Caribbean! and contributing to this vital regional effort!

🌍❄️ World Refrigeration Day 2025 ❄️🌍

Happy World Refrigeration Day in Nigeria!

On , we want to highlight the importance of the as a key driver towards sustainable cooling. Its universal ratification would increase the demand for more technicians, engineers, designers and architects with , and boost innovation to improve access to cooling and support livelihoods – a milestone worth aiming for ahead of its 10th anniversary in 2026! bit.ly/3I1dpXf

😎 World Refrigeration Day

🌍❄️ World Refrigeration Day 2025 ❄️🌍
June 26th | Theme: "Cool Careers: Cool Skills"

Today we celebrate World Refrigeration Day, highlighting the crucial role of refrigeration, air conditioning, and heat pump technologies in our daily lives from keeping our food fresh to supporting healthcare and protecting the environment.
This year's theme, "Cool Careers: Cool Skills," shines a light on the exciting and essential careers in the cooling industry. It's a call to inspire the next generation of engineers, technicians, and innovators to join a sector that is cool in every sense of the word!

💡 Did you know?
Refrigeration technology is at the heart of sustainable development helping us adapt to climate change while driving energy efficiency and innovation.

👩‍🔧👨‍🔧 Let’s celebrate the skilled professionals who keep our world cool and commit to building even stronger, greener careers in cooling!

🚨 Important Announcement: Licensing & Quota System for Refrigerants 🚨

Attention all businesses and individuals in the refrigerant industry! It’s time to register and apply for your license under the new Licensing and Quota System (LQS). This is a crucial step to ensure compliance with regulations and the proper management of refrigerant use and import.
🔹 Who needs to apply?
🔹 What’s required for registration?
🔹 Key deadlines and steps to follow.

Don’t wait register today to avoid any disruptions in your operations! For more details on how to apply, simply scan the QR codes below.

Understanding the License and Quota System (LQS) Made Simple! 🎓📊
We’ve created a simple diagram to help break down how the License and Quota System (LQS) works. Whether you’re new to the system or just need a refresher, this visual guide makes it easy to understand.

🔹 What is LQS?
🔹 How does it impact you?
🔹 Steps to navigate the system smoothly.

Check out the diagram below to get all the info you need in one glance!

💚𝐁𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐅𝐫𝐞𝐞 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐒𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐥𝐞-𝐔𝐬𝐞 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐬!💚
As the #𝗦𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗹𝗲𝗨𝘀𝗲𝗣𝗹𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗕𝗮𝗻 is now in full effect in the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis, the Department of Environment aims to keep stakeholders updated on the progress of the ban. This information will help ensure a smooth and seamless transition for everyone involved.
💯𝙃𝙚𝙧𝙚 𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙨𝙤𝙢𝙚 𝙁𝘼𝘾𝙏𝙎 𝙤𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝘽𝘼𝙉.💯