Trinidad Wants a United Approach to Dealing With the Use of Natural Gas
LA PAZ, Bolivia – Trinidad and Tobago Tuesday urged gas exporting countries to “carry the conversation of the need, the necessity of gas “into the future amid global climate change concerns.
Trinidad and Tobago’s Energy and Energy industries Minister, Stuart Young, (bottom right) addressing Gas Exporting Countries Forum.Energy and Energy Industries Minister, Stuart Young told the virtual 23rd Ministerial Meeting of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF) that as efforts are being undertaken to monetization of the hydrocarbon resources “we are aware of the need to transition to a low carbon economy."
“In this regard we are aligned with the policies of our energy stake holders who regard the employment of natural gas as a cleaner burning fuel for limiting of carbon dioxide in meeting the global primary energy demand”.
Young described natural gas as being “versatile and its usage whether in the generation of power, as fuel ort as feed stock, will continue to play an important role in the energy transition and in the economy of Trinidad and Tobago for the foreseeable future.
“Trinidad and Tobago will engage in decarbonization efforts, which are centered on adaptions and mitigation strategies intended to reduce the country’s CO2 by a 103 million tons by 2030.”
He said that this would include the country’s first major renewable projects based on solar energy, carbon capture and sequestration as well as development of a hydrogen policy.
Young, who is also Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister, told the conference that at the recently held United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP 26) in Glasgow, Trinidad and Tobago renewed its commitment to meeting its nationally determined contribution (NDC).
But he said in achieving the objective, the support of the GECF through instruments such as the environmental knowledge and solutions framework and gas research institute will be essential.
“We also intend to leverage on the experience of member countries who have already taken major steps in this direction and are well advanced in their implementation.
“Colleagues, the truth is today is a critical time in our decision making with respect to gas. A void has been left respectfully and many voices are screaming at the reduction of hydrocarbon. It is my call to you today and we must join together to have our voices heard now globally for us to step into the void and to tell the world that gas is here to stay.
“Gas is the cleanest of the hydrocarbons and it is up to us to have our voices heard and not be snuffed out by those who hold no responsibility and scream at the reduction of hydrocarbons,” Young said, adding “we all recognize and accept that global climate change is an important facet and a problem that we are facing.
“But we must not let natural gas and its by-products be caught up in the negative conversations, colleagues. Today I hope we will be able to have some conversation and take important decisions because we must lead the global conversation with respect to the benefits of gas and the longevity of gas and it will be here to stay as the globe’s energy needs expand and increase.
“Colleagues it is up to us the as leaders in the GECF to take this narrative and conversation at the forefront and that is my message to you today,” Young added.
