Climate change due to global warming is posing a serious threat to life on the planet earth. It is a serious global development agenda which transcend across all aspects of social, economic, political, cultural areas, including peace and stability of societies and countries. This project aims to contribute towards the attainment of two main objectives:
1) Sensitizing communities and enterprises on the adverse climatic impacts of the diesel operated electricity generation system and advantages of shifting to renewable sources such as solar power systems in the reduction/mitigation of climate change (training of technicians, awareness, TOT, startup).
2) Piloting catalyzing sustainable urban solutions to Green House Gas (GHG emission through practical introduction of climate smart technologies to replace existing climatization/refrigeration/air conditioning devices and systems. (Training of technicians, awareness, TOT, startup).
The target area of the project is Massawa, and the
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beneficiaries are the Massawa Workers Vocational Training Centre (MWVTC) of NCEW, enterprises engaged in sale, repair, maintenance and installation of climatization/refrigeration/air conditioning devices, users of carbon emitting electrical generators, government institutions and the communities residing in Massawa.
The expected results/impacts of the project are:
i) Climate change sensitized communities and enterprises induced or enabled to adopt new environment friendly, carbon free cooling devices and electrical generation systems,
ii) Capacity of Massawa Workers Vocational Training Centre (MWVTC) enhanced to adapt and serve as a model to the adaptation of Climate Smart sustainable technology urban solutions in the improvement of extremely harsh weather conditions and air pollution,
iii) A small green ecology created by planting suitable trees in and around the MWVTC ameliorating the dusty and sunny desert-like environment conducive for training activities.
Eritrea is among the least developed countries in the world. Its environment is largely degraded due to multiple and complex man-made and natural causes. Its environment is fragile characterized by erratic climatic conditions, expressed by fluctuating amount, timing and distribution of rainfall. The coastal stretch is barren desert very harsh for habitation by humans and unfavorable to carry out any meaningful agricultural production. Temperatures in Massawa are extreme ranging from 30 to as high as 48 degrees Celsius. All activities depend on the availability of cooling/air conditioning and electricity generating systems, which are currently based on Green House Gas (GHG) emitting technologies.
During the last six years, the Massawa Workers? Vocational Training (MWVTC), owned and operated by the NCEW, has been engaged in providing training in six technical fields, namely Electronics, Electricity, Basic Computer Application, Advanced IT and Networking, Climatization/Refrigeration/Air Conditioning, Metal Works and Wood Works. This is the only training institution of its kind adopting the didactic training method of 30% theoretical and 70% practical approach. It is also the only centre in Massawa which provides Climatization/Refrigeration/Air Conditioning courses accredited by the Ministry of Education.
The source of energy in Massawa is the fossil fuel based electrical generation national grid originating in Hergigo and supplemented by other stand-alone diesel operated generators found across all sorts of institutions or enterprises. This heavy dependence on electricity generation on hydrocarbon fuel, combined with the hydrofluorocarbon (HFCs) coolant-based air conditioning and refrigeration system widely in use is causing the emission of Green House Gases (GHG) and other air pollutant substances. For one, the MWVTC alone runs over sixty (60) air conditioners, and a 100 KVA diesel electrical generator. This means that the environs of the centre is filled with tremendous amounts of climate unfriendly ozone depleting gases which are also hazardous to health.
Besides, the inside of the vocational training premises and the surrounding area is a barren landscape, devoid of any vegetation cover, aggravating the harsh environmental conditions to live and work under the blazing hot conditions. There is no vegetation cover upon which the eyes can safely rest without irritation or serve to hide one?s head in a shade away from the direct rays of the sun.
The project aims to address these complex development and environmental challenges focusing on three key interventions: 1) Sensitizing community members and inducing technicians in the climatization businesses to the use of climate friendly cooling systems, 2) Provision of solar/renewable energy supply system to the training center, and 3) Greening the school surroundings and along nearby walkways of the city thereby ameliorating the extreme weather conditions by creating human-friendly micro-ecology. The action will also contribute to creation of income generation opportunities in the allied climate friendly technologies.
The development of human resources is fundamental to all development endeavors. The building of new skills and upgrading existing skills is part of the country?s strategic development plans and the NCEW vocational training programs are aligned with the national development priorities. Environmental adversities are deeply entrenched formidable problems underlying every development challenge in the country. The government?s strategic development plans seriously consider addressing these critical national hurdles as part of its firm commitments to contribute to the success of the concerted global efforts under GEF to overcome the environmental challenges, and enhance community empowerment and resilience building through the small grant programs.
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