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Evaluation of Emission Factors for the Natural Gas Network in Trinidad and Tobago
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Office of Research, Impact and Postgraduate Studies
presents
a Postgraduate Seminar titled
Evaluation of Emission Factors for the Natural Gas Network in Trinidad and Tobago
by Ms Rehana Ali
Trinidad and Tobago, though a relatively small contributor to global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, presents a distinctive emissions profile shaped by its hydrocarbon-based economy and energy-intensive industrial sector. Petrochemicals and power generation account for nearly 80% of national emissions, and the Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago (GORTT) has pledged reductions under its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) by 2030.
The country's GHG inventory relies on Tier-1 default emission factors (EFs) from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). These generalised values do not reflect Trinidad and Tobago's advanced infrastructure and operational practices, creating risks of misrepresentation in national reporting. This study addresses that gap by applying a mass-balance methodology to national production and consumption data across the natural gas network, to derive country-specific EFs for key nodes and comparing them with IPCC defaults. The approach allows for quantification of uncertainties, identification of variability drivers, and recognition of data gaps in existing inventories.
The results are expected to improve the accuracy and credibility of Trinidad and Tobago's emissions reporting, strengthen policy design, and support efficient allocation of mitigation investments. By providing scientific, locally derived EFs, the study enhances Trinidad and Tobago's ability to meet its NDC targets, attract climate finance, and reinforce its position in international negotiations. Ultimately, this work not only advances inventory precision, but also contributes to the country's climate resilience and its alignment with UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Tuesday 25th November, 2025 at 11:00 a.m.
Ms Rehana Ali holds a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) in Chemical Engineering and a Master of Science (M.Sc.) in Project Management, both from The University of the West Indies (UWI). She is a Senior Instructor in Process Engineering at The University of Trinidad and Tobago (UTT), where she has spent the past nine years teaching at the certificate and diploma levels. Beyond the classroom, she plays an active role in curriculum design, research and outreach.
Prior to joining academia, she worked for a decade in manufacturing as a Process Engineer, where she led production teams, optimised energy efficiency, and supported International Organization for Standardization (ISO) certification and Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) implementation. She has published research on sustainable materials and is currently pursuing a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) focused on evaluating emission factors across Trinidad and Tobago's natural gas value chain.
