Overview

Trinidad and Tobago is one of the world’s leading exporters of ammonia, with the sector playing a critical role in national foreign exchange earnings, employment, and downstream industrial activity. However, emerging global climate policies, most notably, the European Union’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) - pose a significant strategic challenge to the long-term competitiveness of gas-based ammonia production.

This presentation examines the ammonia sector in Trinidad and Tobago through three lenses:

• the historical (20 year) technical and emissions profile of conventional ammonia production
• the implications of CBAM and carbon pricing on export competitiveness
• realistic pathways toward lower-carbon and green ammonia production in a small, gas-rich island economy.

Using recent research conducted at UTT, the talk will explore how carbon costs translate into effective trade barriers, quantify the exposure of Trinidad and Tobago’s ammonia exports, and assess mitigation options such
as energy efficiency improvements, renewable hydrogen integration, and carbon capture and storage (CCS).

The presentation concludes by outlining a pragmatic transition framework for green and low-carbon ammonia in Trinidad and Tobago; balancing decarbonisation ambitions with industrial resilience and highlights the role of engineers in shaping evidence-based pathways that protect national competitiveness while aligning with global climate goals.

Speaker

Dillon Ramsook, Assistant Professor, Process Engineering, The University of Trinidad and Tobago

Dillon is an assistant professor of process engineering at the University of Trinidad and Tobago (UTT), specialising in carbon management, sustainable energy systems, and industrial decarbonisation. His work focuses on greenhouse gas (GHG) inventories, mitigation strategies, and carbon-constrained energy planning, with particular emphasis on Trinidad and Tobago’s energy-intensive industries.

Dillon has contributed to several national and regional climate and energy projects, published in the areas of energy systems and sustainability, and regularly advises on low-carbon transition pathways. He holds a PhD in process engineering, with research focused on carbon-constrained planning for Trinidad and Tobago’s power generation sector.

The material presented has not been peer-reviewed. Any opinions are the presenter’s own and do not necessarily represent those of IChemE or the Trinidad and Tobago Member Group. The information is given in good faith but without any liability on the part of IChemE.

Time

19:00–20:00 AST.

Software

The presentation will be delivered via Microsoft Teams. We recommend downloading the app from the Microsoft website, rather than using the web portal.