The Global Fuel Economy Initiative (GFEI) has been formally launched in Jamaica.

The event marks the first milestone towards strengthening vehicle emission and fuel quality standards and promoting fuel economy to support a more fuel efficient auto fleet. The launch event, held in July, was organized by the University of Technology, Jamaica (UTech) in Kingston, the Ministry of Water, Land, Environment and Climate Change of Jamaica (MWLECC), and the United Nations Environment Programme – Division of Technology, Industry and Economics (UNEP – DTIE), with the financial support of the Global Environmental Fund (GEF).

Keynote speaker Hon. Minister Robert Pickersgill (MWLECC) said the Jamaican government is taking action to improve fuel economy and efficiency in the transportation sector and reduce vehicle emissions, which contribute to global warming. Among the measures he cited are: expansion of the highway network for more efficient movement of persons and goods across the island; introduction of E10 fuel (a blend of 10 per cent ethanol and 90 per cent gasoline, and ultra low sulphur diesel fuel); undertaking improvements in the public transportation infrastructure; and reducing duties on hybrid and electric vehicles.

UNEP regional partners Centro Mario Molina Chile (CMMCh) CEGESTI (Costa Rica) and the University of California in Davis (UC Davis) contributed presentations, experiences and moderated discussion panels. Presentations from the National Environmental Planning Agency (NEPA) and the Petrojam Refinery gave rise to vibrant discussions on emission standards and fuel quality. Project Manager, Dr Ruth Potopsingh (UTech) challenged the newly formed working groups for Cleaner Fuels and Vehicles; Auto Fuel Economy and Motor Vehicles Baseline to work to make fuel economy another success story for a better Jamaica and a cleaner world.

Anh Tuan