AGP Executive Report

Plastic Pollution Action: The Scout Association of Trinidad and Tobago turned nearly 100,000 discarded plastic bottles into 10 park benches across north-west Trinidad, with each bench representing about 10,000 bottles (around 300kg of waste diverted). Biodiversity Spotlight: A new documentary, “The Golden Treefrog,” is raising awareness of Trinidad’s golden treefrog and the conservation pressures facing the species. Climate Creativity: Trinidad’s Priya Ramdeo won second place in the CARICOM Climate Change Centre youth short story competition for “Mas For The Living Sea,” highlighting a climate-secure future inspired by the Caribbean. Energy & Sustainability: The EU signalled willingness to partner with Nevis on its geothermal project, offering technical expertise and possible financial support. Local Governance & Food Safety: La Trinidad’s mayor banned smuggled vegetables at the La Trinidad Vegetable Trading Post and public markets, ordering inspections, possible confiscation, and a public education campaign on impacts to farmers and public health. Workplace Safety: OSHA held consultations with government, the energy sector and unions to shape new oil rig safety rules under the Occupational Safety and Health Act. Weather Watch: Thunderstorm advisories and heavy rain risk were reported for parts of the wider region, with conditions expected to persist briefly in affected areas.

Market Security & Food Integrity: La Trinidad Mayor Roderick Awingan banned smuggled vegetables at the La Trinidad Vegetable Trading Post and public markets after illegally imported broccoli was found, ordering inspections, possible confiscation and disposal, and penalties for violators—plus a public education push on how smuggling harms farmers and public health. Jobs, Inflation & Social Stability: The Central Bank reported the unemployment rate rising to 5.4% and inflation at 0.6%, warning that economic restructuring without support for displaced workers could fuel social unrest. Road Safety Works: Safety upgrades on CO 12 near Weston in Colorado included widening, full-depth reconstruction, passing lanes, culvert repairs, and new signage—aimed at safer overtaking and longer road life. Climate Creativity in the Region: Trinidad and Tobago’s Priya Ramdeo won second place in the CCCCC youth climate short story contest for “Mas For The Living Sea,” highlighting a climate-secure future through Caribbean storytelling. Oil Rig Worker Safety: OSHA held consultations on proposed oil rig safety regulations, focusing on clearer accountability and preventing injuries before they happen. Local Climate Footprint: The Central Bank cut its greenhouse gas emissions by 13.8% since 2019, driven mainly by lower electricity use and value-chain reductions.

Youth substance use in Tobago: A 2024 survey of Form Four and Five students in government schools found 34.6% reported lifetime alcohol use, 11.7% marijuana use, and 1% cocaine use—fueling calls for stronger long-term policy as Government moves to raise legal ages for alcohol, cannabis and gambling. Climate creativity from T&T: Priya Ramdeo placed second in the CARICOM Climate Change Centre’s 2026 youth short story competition for “Mas For The Living Sea,” chosen from 173 entries across 14 countries. Oil rig worker safety: OSHA held a stakeholder consultation with Government, the energy sector and unions to shape new oil rig safety subsidiary legislation, stressing “every worker…has a right to return home safely.” Carbon cuts at the Central Bank: The Central Bank says its greenhouse gas footprint fell 13.8% since 2019, driven by lower electricity use and value-chain reductions, while noting Scope 1 emissions rose. Business push for the 2026/27 budget: The T&T Chamber urged action on VAT refund backlogs, foreign exchange access and support for manufacturers and SMEs to unlock private investment and jobs.

Climate & Energy Accountability: The Central Bank of Trinidad and Tobago says it cut its greenhouse gas emissions by 13.8% since 2019, driven by lower electricity use and value-chain reductions—though scope 1 emissions rose 10.5%, pointing to more work needed on direct sources. Circular Economy & Waste: The Glass Loop Movement is pushing households, schools, and businesses to recycle glass to support a more circular economy, with guidance on what can be recycled and how collected bottles and jars are reused. Food Security & Local Livelihoods: A Caribbean Week of Agriculture panel heard gastronomy leader Nneka Nurse argue that festival and carnival spending should benefit local farmers, fishers, and producers instead of leaking out through imports. Flood Risk & Weather Watch: Rain is expected to continue into the night with clearer conditions later in the week, while flood watches and heavy-rain warnings remain in play for parts of the region. Local Policy & Governance: Commentary and debate continue around the role of Trinidad and Tobago’s appointed Senate and the need for independent scrutiny in a polarized political climate.

Hot Spell & Flooding Watch: Torrential rain again disrupted parts of Port-of-Spain and western Trinidad, with TTMS keeping a Yellow-Level Hot Spell Alert through Oct. 31 and warning that tropical waves and the ITCZ can still trigger downpours during the heat season. Local Flood Risk: Separate weather coverage also notes Flood Watches in effect for southern Colorado, underscoring how tropical moisture can drive flooding across regions. Energy & Methane: NGC executed final agreements for Shell’s Aphrodite gas project, targeting first gas in Q2 2027, while another item flags a company project to curb T&T’s methane emissions. Circular Economy Push: The Glass Loop Movement is urging households, schools and businesses to recycle glass to support a more circular economy. Policy & Governance: A procurement overhaul is pitched as a way to speed housing construction, while debate continues on whether T&T still needs an appointed Senate. Indigenous Rights: The GEF welcomed four new members to its Indigenous Peoples Advisory Group, expanding regional and youth representation.

Flooding & Hot Spell Watch: A sudden burst of torrential rain triggered street flooding across Port-of-Spain and western Trinidad, disrupting traffic and again highlighting how quickly heavy downpours overwhelm drainage. TTMS says the country remains under a Yellow-Level Hot Spell Alert through Oct. 31, but rain linked to tropical waves and the ITCZ can still hit during the heat season, so the wet-weather risk isn’t over. Rainfall Outlook: Another weather update warns heavy rain may continue into Wednesday, with showers and possible heavier bursts in the wet mountains. Wildlife & Agriculture: Tobago’s cocrico (in the Emperor Valley Zoo) is being flagged as both a national asset and a potential threat to agriculture if birds escape into forests; THA says it will study population status and consider intervention if needed. Circular Economy: The Glass Loop Movement is pushing households, schools and businesses to recycle glass to support a more circular economy. Community Capacity (Tobago): DCDSP and UNFPA launched a two-day Comprehensive Sexuality Education train-the-trainer workshop to strengthen local delivery through trusted community support.

Flooding & Heat Risks: A torrential downpour hit Port of Spain and western Trinidad, triggering street flooding and traffic snarls, while TTMS keeps T&T under a Hot Spell alert through Oct. 31 and warns that rain linked to tropical waves and the ITCZ can still bring more flooding. Glass Recycling Push: The Glass Loop Movement is urging households, communities and businesses to recycle glass as part of a circular economy, with guidance on what can be recycled and how bottles and jars are processed for reuse. Energy & Methane: NGC has executed final commercial agreements with Shell for the Aphrodite gas project, targeting first gas in Q2 2027, and a separate company project aims to curb T&T’s methane emissions. Biodiversity & Agriculture: Tobago’s cocrico is being framed as both a national asset and a potential agricultural risk, with calls for studies and a census before any management action. Weather Watch Beyond T&T: Flood Watches are also in effect in southern Colorado as hurricane moisture brings heavy rain, underscoring how extreme rainfall patterns are affecting the wider region. Local Safety Initiative: A Safe Schools – Strong Futures first aid community initiative launched in Fyzabad to tackle common school hazards and improve emergency readiness.

Flooding & hot spell impacts: Torrential rain hit Port-of-Spain and western Trinidad, causing street flooding and major traffic disruption. The TT Meteorological Service says the country remains under a Yellow-Level Hot Spell Alert through Oct. 31, but rain linked to tropical waves and the ITCZ can still fall during the heat season—so residents are urged to clear drains and stay alert as wet-season showers continue. Waste-to-climate push: Close the Loop Caribbean says nearly half of landfill waste in Trinidad and Tobago is organic material that releases methane and can fuel landfill fires. It’s seeking to divert thousands of tonnes of organic waste into compost, targeting about 20,000 tonnes annually by 2031, though funding, transport, and carbon-credit market viability remain open questions. Biodiversity & agriculture risk: At the National Trust’s Toute Bagai Lecture Series, Tobago’s natural resources officials warned farmers to prevent Cocrico birds from escaping the Emperor Valley Zoo, citing fears of chaos for Trinidad’s agricultural sector while stressing that population status is still being studied.

Climate & Waste: Close the Loop Caribbean says nearly half of landfill waste in Trinidad and Tobago is organic, driving methane and landfill fires, and is consulting on a compost project to divert thousands of tonnes (aiming for ~20,000 tonnes a year by 2031), though funding, transport, and carbon-credit market questions remain. Carbon Pricing Debate: A UK-backed UWI report argues T&T should consider a national carbon tax (with offset flexibility) to protect competitiveness under the EU’s CBAM, noting the country’s emissions are dominated by a few big point sources that make an emissions trading system harder to run fairly. Methane Action: A company has launched a project aimed at curbing T&T’s methane emissions. Oil Pollution Watch: A satellite study finds oil pollution is constant and widespread, with most of it occurring within national waters—relevant for T&T’s coastal and protected-area concerns. Regional Energy Cooperation: The Energy Chamber highlights a new T&T–Venezuela work agenda after UNGA talks, including environmental protection and disaster risk management alongside energy cooperation.

Waste & Methane Cuts: Close the Loop Caribbean says nearly half of landfill waste in Trinidad and Tobago is organic, driving methane and landfill fires. It’s now consulting on a composting project to divert thousands of tonnes and process about 20,000 tonnes a year by 2031, but questions remain on financing, transport, and whether carbon credits can be sustained. Ocean Oil Pollution: A new satellite-based SkyTruth analysis finds oil slicks cover about 1.58 million sq km of oceans annually, with over 90% occurring within national waters—often near protected areas—and links most slicks to ships and offshore infrastructure. Energy Cooperation: The Energy Chamber highlights a new Trinidad and Tobago–Venezuela work agenda after UNGA talks, including disaster risk management and environmental protection alongside trade and energy. Wildlife Health Watch: The Ministry of Agriculture urges vigilance as a new world screwworm remains present in Trinidad and Tobago.

Energy & Environment Diplomacy: Trinidad and Tobago’s Energy Chamber says a high-level meeting between PM Kamla Persad-Bissessar and Venezuela’s Delcy Rodríguez could unlock a “robust” cross-border energy future, with a joint agenda spanning trade, disaster risk management, environmental protection, agriculture and tourism. Aviation & Sustainability: Caribbean Airlines has completed audited financial statements for 2017–2019, aiming to clear a long backlog and rebuild the airline on a more sustainable footing amid rising fuel pressures. Hot Weather & Climate Risk: T&T is under hot spell alerts, with forecasts pointing to hotter conditions and rain changes that raise pressure on people and infrastructure. Biodiversity & Biosecurity: The Ministry of Agriculture is urging vigilance after a new world screwworm remains was detected in Trinidad and Tobago. Wildlife & Fisheries (Tobago): Tobago fishermen accuse Farley of “betrayal” over oil spill compensation, keeping local marine harm and accountability in the spotlight. Local Health & Access: A vision screening programme has assessed 2,567 students across 24 schools, flagging issues like astigmatism and possible paediatric glaucoma for follow-up.

Oil Spill Fallout in Tobago: Lambeau fisherfolk accuse THA Chief Sec Farley Augustine of “breach of contract” over compensation still not paid two years after the Feb 7, 2024 Gulfstream spill; Augustine says ITOPF rejected remaining claims and that the THA must cover earnings losses. Tobago Budget Pressure: Augustine also says Tobago needs $1B in the next fiscal year to drive a “construction boom,” arguing capital development funding has lagged far behind recurrent spending. Regional Energy Cooperation: The Energy Chamber says Trinidad and Tobago and Venezuela are moving toward a “robust” energy framework after PM Kamla Persad-Bissessar and Delcy Rodríguez met in New York, with an agenda that includes environmental protection and disaster risk management. Hot Spell & Heat Risk: T&T is under hot spell alerts, with reports of temperatures rising to extreme levels—raising stakes for health and outdoor safety. Climate Diplomacy at UN: UNGA coverage highlights a push for action on sea level rise and climate threats to island states, with sovereignty and urgent implementation front and centre. Wildlife & Biosecurity Alert: Agriculture ministry urges vigilance after the new world screwworm is detected in Trinidad and Tobago.

Oil & Accountability: Exxon Guyana’s president, Alistair Routledge, pushed back on calls for the company to do more for living standards, saying “It’s not our job” and that Guyana “didn’t vote for us.” Critics argue the revenue split is a “terribly bad deal,” with Guyana receiving 14.5% of consortium revenue while Exxon benefits from record output. Tobago Oil Spill Fallout: Tobago fishermen say compensation after the Feb 7, 2024 Gulfstream oil spill is still stuck; Chief Secretary Farley Augustine says remaining claims fall to the THA, while ITOPF rejects some submissions. Tobago Development Funding: Augustine is urging a “fair share” in the national budget, calling for $1B for Tobago’s construction boom and pushing for more capital spending beyond the island’s historically low development allocations. Climate & Heat Alerts: T&T has been placed under a Hot Spell Alert, with temperatures forecast up to 44°C, alongside warnings of hotter, drier conditions stressing water and livelihoods. Regional Diplomacy & Environment: Trinidad and Tobago and Venezuela agreed to deepen cooperation at UNGA, including environmental protection and disaster-risk management, after Venezuela lifted persona non grata status for PM Kamla Persad-Bissessar.

Wildlife & climate resilience (T&T): A regional workshop in Trinidad and Tobago brought CARPHA and PAHO partners together to strengthen respiratory virus surveillance and lab diagnostics across 11 Caribbean countries—aimed at earlier detection and faster response to threats like influenza, RSV and COVID-19. Oil spill fallout (Tobago): Tobago fisherfolk renewed accusations against Chief Secretary Farley Augustine over “breach of contract” as compensation after the Feb 7, 2024 oil spill still drags on, with claims rejected for being exaggerated or unverifiable and ITOPF reportedly not recognising some submissions. Tobago development funding: Augustine says Tobago needs $1B in the next budget to fuel a “construction boom,” arguing capital development has lagged far behind recurrent spending. Diplomacy & environment cooperation (T&T–Venezuela): Venezuela has declared PM Kamla Persad-Bissessar persona grata after UNGA talks with Delcy Rodríguez, with plans to deepen cooperation including environmental protection and disaster-risk management. Weather & hazards: Heavy rains and thunderstorms were forecast for parts of the region, while T&T also faces hot-spell alerts—raising the stakes for preparedness as extreme conditions intensify. Local culture & identity: A Republic Day release, “Tabanque A Rio,” draws inspiration from pandemic-era drives along Trinidad’s East Coast, linking nature, freedom and local identity through music.

Hot Spell & Storm Impacts: Trinidad and Tobago’s weather outlook remains tense, with a Yellow-Level Hot Spell Alert and reports of severe conditions across the region, including strong winds and heavy rain that can trigger local damage. Regional Health Security: CARPHA and PAHO ran a four-day SARI and respiratory virus diagnostics workshop in T&T to strengthen detection, lab capacity, and faster response to threats like influenza, RSV and COVID-19. Water & Farming Resilience: Barbados’ BWA announced a major reclaimed-water project to support farmers during drought pressure—an approach T&T agriculture watchers will be tracking. Oil Pollution Watch: A new satellite analysis highlights how widespread ship-linked oil slicks are in oceans, with most pollution occurring within national waters near coasts. T&T–Venezuela Diplomacy: Amcham T&T welcomed high-level talks between Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar and Venezuela’s Delcy Rodríguez, with cooperation flagged for energy, disaster risk management, environmental protection and agriculture. Bilateral Energy Consultations: Bangladesh and T&T signed an MoU for regular consultations, with energy cooperation named as an early priority.

Venezuela Reset: Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar says her UNGA meeting with acting Venezuelan President Delcy Rodríguez was “very, very emotional,” with both leaders reaffirming friendship and agreeing official visits to Caracas and Port of Spain—after Venezuela lifted her “persona non grata” status and declared her persona grata. Energy & Industry: NGC chairman Gerald Ramdeen says the company will shift its downstream commercial model toward longer-term, more predictable gas supply and competitive pricing, while NGC and Shell have finalised agreements to advance the Aphrodite offshore gas project with first gas expected in Q2 2027. Climate Risk: TTMS has issued a Yellow-Level Hot Spell Alert for Trinidad and Tobago, with “feels-like” temperatures potentially approaching 44°C, and warns of sustained hot conditions through late October. Finance for Climate: T&T launched GSS+ green and sustainability-linked bond guidelines, creating another route for climate and development funding. Biodiversity & Food Systems: A debate over the Protection of New Plant Varieties (Amendment) Bill raises concerns about how plant breeders’ rights could affect farmers’ ability to save and share seed.