April 21, 2026
Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago – April 21, 2026
The University of the West Indies (The UWI) St. Augustine Campus has received CAD$100,000 from Scotiabank’s Climate Action Research Fund (CARF) to advance research on decarbonizing Trinidad and Tobago’s petrochemical sector. This funding supports the H2-TTransform: SOEC Pilot for Petrochemical Decarbonization Project, a pioneering initiative that positions UWI as a regional leader in green hydrogen technology.
Established in 2021, Scotiabank’s Climate Action Research Fund grants approximately CAD $1 million annually to organizations conducting research and exploring climate-related initiatives. The Research Fund is part of the Bank’s efforts to distribute $25 million in community investments with organizations that support climate-related systems change and sector decarbonization by 2030.
The Climate Action Research Fund grant will help The UWI fund the installation of a lab-scale 4kW SOEC demonstrator at the University’s Thermodynamics Laboratory. This demonstrator will enable researchers to establish parameters for an industrial-scale pilot, build local expertise, and showcase the technology to industry stakeholders. The project is a collaboration between UWI, Niterra Co. Ltd., and Kenesjay Green Limited, combining academic research with private-sector innovation.
“At The UWI, we believe research must actively shape industries, influence policy, and create sustainable pathways for our region,” said Professor Rose-Marie Belle Antoine, Principal of The UWI St. Augustine Campus. “This relationship with Scotiabank is a significant step toward advancing Trinidad and Tobago’s clean energy innovation.”
“It’s exciting to share this news, especially as Earth Day (April 22) approaches. Scotiabank is proud to support research that explores real-world solutions to climate challenges,” said Gayle Pazos, Senior Vice President and Head, Caribbean South and East and Managing Director, Scotiabank Trinidad and Tobago. “Through the Climate Action Research Fund, we are supporting in projects like H2-TTransform that not only have the potential to support emissions reduction but also climate-related systems change for future generations.”
To date, more than 50 registered charities and non-profit organizations exploring climate-related research and opportunities for decarbonization have received funding from Scotiabank’s Climate Action Research Fund. For more information, visit Scotiabank.com/climate.
Source: The UWI St. Augustine News