text:
Features Archive
Get an
ongoing update about the ozone layer protection and implementation
of the Montreal Protocol, so that you can be informed about every
latest action!
Holing Out the Climate Enemies
- Action under the Montreal Protocol
Bangkok, 10th November 2010, The Montreal Protocol
is poised to mitigate 21 gigatones of CO2 equivalent
through destruction of Chlorofluorocarbon (CFCs) and related
chemicals, which are hidden in the stocks and equipments all
around the world. The global phase-out of CFCs and Halons
was followed by stock-piling of huge quantities of these Ozone
Depleting Substances (ODS). Now, these substances also have
huge Global Warming Potential 4 to 10,000 times more than
CO2, commonly known Green House Gases. So, these stock-piles
which are of no use now would get emitted into the atmosphere
if not destroyed quickly.
United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) along with their
partner Emergent Ventures International Pte. Ltd had organised
an event on ODS Destruction, particularly, in the Low Volume
Consuming Countries (LVCs) in South East Asia. It was organised
on the side-lines of the 22nd Meeting of Parties to the Montreal
Protocol in Thailand. The event was attended by UN officials,
National Ozone Officers from across the world, industry representatives,
MLF officials, Basel Convention officials among others, amounting
to about a hundred participants.
The event was started off by a welcome message by Atul Bagai,
Senior Regional Co-ordinator, UNEP and Dr. Rajendra Shende,
Head of Ozone Action Unit, UNEP which was followed by a presentation
by Dr. Sumathipala, National Ozone Officer, Sri Lanka. Dr.
Sumathipala highlighted the fact that the stock-piles in LVCs
could release about 6 giga tonnes of CO2 equivalent into the
atmosphere and if destroyed can accelerate the recovery of
the Ozone Layer by 2 years in turn saving countless millions
of dollars on health care. But the stock-piles in the individual
countries are making their destruction programs economically
unviable, but combined together they can become viable. Then
a presentation was given by Hu Shaofeng from UNEP. Mr. Shaofeng
highlighted an ongoing project by UNEP in Nepal where ODS
stock-pile collected is to be destroyed, which is initially
funded by the Multi-Lateral Fund and is to be brought under
the Voluntary Carbon Market for funding via selling of the
Voluntary Emission Reductions (VERs). So, UNEP suggested for
a regional program to collect the ODSs from all the LVCs and
aggregate them for destruction, which has the potential for
8 to 10 million VERs amounting to 30 to 50 million USD. The
proposal was supported by all participants as the only viable
solution for the problem faced by the individual countries.
Ashutosh Pandey, CEO, Emergent Ventures International Pte.
Ltd. presented the outlines of the Carbon Market where the
ODS destruction programs can be covered under the VERs. He
also stressed on the fact that if this program is linked to
Energy Efficiency and Global warming can further help in co-funding
A discussion was followed, in which it was labelled as an
emerging Green Economy in SE Asia. Members from the Basel
Convention supported for the trans-border movement of the
ODSs. Members from MLF also said that they are considering
a proposal for funding such schemes. The Nepal model was supported
by all participants and discussions were on regarding its's
extension to other nations. Also the technology for destruction
and its economic viability also emerged as key issues.
Contact: UNEP DTIE OzonAction, firstname.lastname@example.com
10 November 2010. A side event of MOP 22 on illegal trade
in ODS: Actions to Combat Smuggling and Challenges Ahead was
organized by UNEP OzonAction in Bangkok, Thailand with 50
participants from governments, industry, international organizations
and NGOs.
Ms. Fionnuala Walravens, Environmental Investigation Agency
assessed the risk of illegal trade in ODS, and appealed countries
to give more attentions to illegal trade in HCFCs. She highlighted
that smugglers are using the same tricks which they used for
CFCs to smuggle HCFCs. The publication of EIA assessment will
be launched during the virtual tour from Bangkok to Cancun
and beyond (www.unep.org/ozonaction/virtualtour)
Rajendra Shende, UNEP DTIE presented the Europe Central Asia
(ECA) Ozone Protection Award to Mr. Alexandros Kiriazis (European
Commission) in recognition of his excellent work in combating
illegal trade in ozone depleting substances.
Mr. Zhao Jie, Deputy Head of WCO Regional Intelligence Liaison
Office (RILO) for Asia and the Pacific introduced a confidential
coordinated global customs operational project targeting illegal
trade in ODS called "Sky Hole Patching II" which
has been coordinated between OzonAction and the World Customs
Organization (WCO). He briefed that 80 Customs Administrations
in both Article 5 and non-Article 5 countries covering 278
Seaports, Land Borders and Airports have joined the project.
26 seizures, including 4,327 cylinders (64 tons) ODS, 668
equipment containing ODS were reported during May to November
2010. He stressed that new trafficking trends have emerged
in many countries, and vigilance and effective enforcement
actions are still needed to put an end of illegal trade.
Mr. Ruperto DeJesus, UNEP DTIE introduced the e-learning
Module on Montreal Protocol/ODS, which was developed in collaboration
with the World Customs Organization in order to provide updated
customs training on the Montreal Protocol. The e-learning
module is hosted in the WCO e-learning platform and is now
available in English while the French, Spanish, and Russian
versions are currently in development. Countries like Malaysia
requested the assistance of UNEP in adaptation the module
into local languages. UNEP will coordinate this issue with
the WCO.
Ms. Kakuko Nagatani, UNEP DTIE introduced the implementation
of the Informal Prior Informed Consent for ODS control (iPIC),
a voluntary mechanism that strengthen the implementation of
the national licensing systems for ODS import and export.
She encouraged more countries to make more proactive use of
the mechanism to increase the effectiveness of their licensing
system as well as to reduce the loop hole that may exist still
in control of ODS transboudary movements. The representative
Basel Convention Secretariat attended the event and appealed
cooperation between other environmental agreements. United
Nations Office on Drugs and Crime also presented the event
and briefed the project PATROL (Partnership on Combating Transnational
Crime through Regional Organized Law Enforcement).
Contact: UNEP DTIE OzonAction, firstname.lastname@example.com
Read/Download related publication: Project
Sky-Hole Patching II
Taking the Montreal Protocol
to the next level
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and the Montreal Protocol
Bangkok 9th November 2010- Can we go beyond and elevate
the debates on technology options and rationalize the transition
in the frame work of the Corporate Social responsibility (CSR)
and Millennium Development Goals (MDGs)? These were the echoes
in the margins of negotiations taking place during world's
most successful multilateral treaty i.e. at the 22nd Meeting
of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol in Bangkok. An industry
round table convened over 70 representatives from multinational
corporations, government, and international organizations,
NGOs and Universities kicked off a series of industry dialogues.
The aim will be to create a collaborative platform for public
private partnerships and broaden the perspective on opportunities
for proactive and responsible business engagement to drive
necessary change for sustainable growth trajectories and a
green economy.
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is increasingly accepted
as a necessary and strategic element of business success and
business leaders around the world recognize the need to consider
performance in relation to impacts on the environment as a
critical part of business success. In this context a central
topic for the industry round table was leveraging successes
under the Montreal Protocol - characterized by proactive business
leadership even ahead of mature regulatory mechanisms - to
raise the bar on other global sustainability goals in the
run up to Rio plus 20 and with the deadline the world has
set itself for achieving the Millennium Development Goals
coming up in 2015. It bears significant opportunities to drive
ambitious climate protection targets as well as the behavioral
change needed to achieve the full potential of technological
solutions that businesses around the world have demonstrated
immense innovative capacities to deliver.
Almost 20 years after the most pressing global sustainability
challenges were compiled into an Agenda 21 at the Earth Summit
in Rio de Janeiro in 1992, the role of business has significantly
shifted from being seen solely as a cause of the problem to
being increasingly recognized as a key part of the solution.
2012 will mark the 10 year anniversary of an important milestone
in bringing business around the table on global deliberations
of sustainable development at the Rio plus 10 Summit in Johannesburg.
We have already passed the 10 year mark of UN Secretary General
Kofi Annan's initiative to engage business in a constructive
dialogue on sustainability challenges by inviting business
leaders to join forces with the UN on 10 principles for sustainability
under the Global Compact. The role for CSR in mainstreaming
proactive business engagement to meet global environmental
challenges will be key to achieving further successes under
the Montreal Protocol and integrating its targets with the
wider sustainability agenda.
The round table, also participated by research
students from the Princeton University -USA, concluded with
an Organic Dinner-a symbolic gesture to indicate the messages
from the Montreal Protocol go beyond just the protection of
the Ozone Layer.
Contact: UNEP DTIE OzonAction, firstname.lastname@example.com
The informal Prior Informed
Consent on Trade of Ozone Depleting Substances (iPIC)
09 November, UNEP organized the Informal Meeting on iPIC (The
informal Prior Informed Consent on Trade of Ozone Depleting
Substances). The iPIC is a voluntary and informal mechanism
of information exchange on intended trade between the authorities
in importing and exporting countries which are responsible
for issuing Ozone Depleting Substances (ODS) trade licenses.
Representatives of the European Union, the Environment Protection
Agency of USA, and Norway's Climate and Pollution Agency participated
in the meeting where they discussed about the usefulness of
the iPIC mechanism as a tool to strengthen national effort
to monitor and control ODS trade as well as to prevent illegal
trade in ODS.
Seventy-one (71) countries worldwide are taking part in the
iPIC in 2010*, and they keenly await for other Parties of
the Montreal Protocol to join.
15 ROAP Network countries (Afghanistan, Bhutan,
Brunei, Cambodia, China, Fiji, Iran, Lao PDR, Mongolia, Myanmar,
Nepal, Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Vietnam)
27 European Union countries
Australia, New Zealand, Israel, Japan
12 ECA Network countries (Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Croatia,
Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Montenegro, Serbia, Tajikistan,
Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan)
13 ROLAC Network countries (Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Colombia,
Costa Rica, Guyana, Jamaica, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, St
Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, Venezuela)
Read/Download related publication: Formal
Compliance through Informal Consent
Nepal, 29 October 2010 - As
part of the ongoing Nepal dialogue process between ozone and
customs officers of Bangladesh, Bhutan, India and Nepal, the
two day Pokhara workshop including one-day training and one-day
consultation between border enforcement officers concluded
successfully on 29 October.
The illegal trans-boundary movements
of prohibited ODS exist with complex causes, including lucrative
incentives, loophole in the control and inspection of import
and export, lack of exchange of information and intelligence
at operational level, shortage of expertise and knowledge
for frontier officers in inspecting and handling ODS gas,
etc. To address these issues, UNEP has been promoting and
facilitating border dialogues between neighboring countries,
which have assisted in raising awareness, enhancing enforcement
capacity and optimizing mechanism for coordination at borders.
The workshop was attended by more
than 30 Customs Officers from border check-posts and customs
Headquarters of Bangladesh, Bhutan, India and Nepal. Representatives
from National Ozone Units of Bangladesh and Bhutan and Nepal,
the National Crime Bureau, India's focal point for Interpol,
the Special Director General of SSB (India's Border Force),
RILO Asia and Pacific, the Regional Office of Interpol, the
Refrigeration Association President and 10 members from Pokhara
and Kathmandu Refrigeration Associations, Customs offices
from the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu and Borgunj border post
and three communication experts were also invited to the border
Mr. Pratap Kumar Pathak, Nepal's
Secretary of Department of Industries and Mr. Atul Bagai,
Senior Regional Coordinator of UNEP CAP ROAP inaugurated the
After intensive discussion among
border enforcement officers and Ozone officers, besides agreeing
to strengthen cross border cooperation to suppress illegal
trans-boundary movement of ODS, the Customs administrations
of India and Nepal agreed to launch a joint operation which
would last for 6 months using similar mechanism of Sky Hole
Patching. UNEP, in coordination with regional enforcement
organizations, would provide technical assistance and facilitate
exchange of information.
Since border control agencies
such as SSB and BSF of India are also qualified to enforce
Customs Code, who is playing an important role in control
of cross border movement of goods, participation of the Special
Director General of India's Department of Border Management
was a significant hallmark for ODS control in the sub region.
It was also agreed that co-financed by SSB, UNEP would organize
a Green Customs workshop for Border Forces of India.
For further information, please contact:
Mr. Atul Bagai
Senior Regional Network Coordinator
Compliance Assistance Programme
OzonAction Programme
UNEP Regional Office for Asia and Pacific
UN Building, Rajdamnern Nok Avenue
Bangkok 10200, Thailand
Mobile: +66847002257
Tel: +6622881662
Fax: +6622883041
Email: firstname.lastname@example.com
19 National Ozone Officers, Assistant Ozone Officers and
PMU Coordinators from Afghanistan, Bhutan, Indonesia, Lao
PDR, Maldives, Mongolia, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, Sri
Lanka, Timor Leste and Viet Nam are participating in the workshop.
The main topics that are being covered are:
- Ozone Science;
- Background on the Montreal Protocol institutional structure;
- Data Reporting;
- Organizing the field trip;
- Policy and Enforcement for ODS phase out;
- Discussing the HPMP development and implementation process;
- Ozone Climate Linkages;
- Awareness and Outreach activities;
The workshop was inaugurated today by Mr. Marco Gonzalez,
the Executive Secretary of the Ozone Secretariat who spent
an hour interfacing with the participants.
Gold and Silver for Customs Saving the Planet
Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, 15 October 2010 - as part of
UNEP's Enforcement Network for Europe and Central Asia (ECA),
gold and silver medals were awarded to participants from Armenia,
China, Croatia, European Union, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russian
Federation and Serbia for their efforts to prevent illegal
trade in ozone-depleting substances (ODS) and second hand
refrigeration equipment. In addition, representatives of Turkmenistan
and Uzbekistan received certificates of appreciation for their
enforcement efforts and capacity building initiatives.
The awardees presented their case studies and lessons learned
which will allow improved risk profiling and enhanced inspection
techniques in the future. Key findings included:
- Several hundreds of tonnes of virgin (new) ozone-depleting
chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) are illegally traded every year in
the ECA region and mis-declared as recycled substance. When
issuing an import license for recycled ODS, the proof of origin
and certificate as to the quality of the recycled ODS should
be verified with the Montreal Protocol focal point of the
exporting country.
- Several hundred used refrigerators originating from the
European Union (Germany) and containing ozone-depleting CFCs
were seized in Central Asia. Their export from the European
Union is illegal and most countries in the ECA region have
banned their import. Therefore, no trade licenses should be
issued and any shipment of used equipment containing or relying
on CFCs or other ODS should be considered suspicious and investigated.
- Labelling of refrigerant cylinders and cans is a major
issue in many countries whose legislation does not yet require
a clear indication of the chemicals they contain. In several
cases, such cylinders are labelled "Replacement for
without indicating the actual chemicals contained. Relevant
countries should consider amending their national legislation
and require the mandatory labelling of chemicals in English
or the local language.
- Mislabelling was detected during the practical exercise
of using refrigerant identifiers to test the actual chemicals
contained in the refrigerant cylinders purchased in the host
country of the meeting. The testing of a refrigerant cylinder
labelled CFC-12 revealed that it contained only 16% CFC-12
in addition to 62% HCFC-22, 19% HFC-134a and 3% hydrocarbon.
Another cylinder labelled HFC-134a contained 100% CFC-12.
Both refrigerant cylinders were locally purchased and not
specifically prepared for the training.
Therefore, Customs Officers (as well as wholesalers and end-users)
should be encouraged to use refrigerant identifiers and to
test not only substances declared as ODS but also their alternatives.
- One country reported a seizure of hydrochlorocarbons (HFCs)
which are not ozone depleting but are powerful global warming
gases. The reason for the seizure was the lack of accompanying
shipment papers and the fact that the importer was not registered.
Both are required by national law. In addition, shipments
of ODS alternatives should be considered suspicious event
if shipment papers and import license seems to be correct
because in several cases ODS (CFCs, HCFCs) was mislabelled
as non-ODS (HFCs).
- Illegal trade in ODS has been prevented in several cases
as a result of the application of the informal Prior Informed
Consent (iPIC) mechanism where the Montreal Protocol focal
points consult each other before issuing export or import
licenses. Additionally a number of cases of illegal trade
in ODS could have been prevented if the iPIC mechanism was
applied. Twelve countries in the ECA region already apply
the iPIC mechanism and the remaining countries should consider
joining the initiative.
- A key lesson of the meeting was that communication and
cooperation with regional stakeholders should be improved.
Information on suspicious cases and ongoing investigations
should be shared through electronic Customs Enforcement Network
(CEN) of World Customs Organization (WCO), be informed to
the relevant Regional Intelligence Liaison Offices (RILOs)
as well as trade partners involved e.g. competent authorities
of the exporting countries. Confirmed seizures and court cases
should be informed to the Ozone Secretariat, UNEP OzonAction
and shared through the electronic "Environet" communication
platform of the WCO.
- Customs Officers identified the disposal of seized ODS,
as well as equipment and products containing or relying on
ODS as a major problem and this applies equally to shipments
of hazardous waste, persistent organic pollutants and endangered
species. In some countries, national legislation foresees
a procedure of return of the shipment without imposing any
fines or penalties but the disadvantage is that there is zero
risk for the smuggler and it is likely that the goods may
cross the border another day or at another checkpoint. Most
countries cannot fund the destruction of chemicals which cannot
be placed legally on the local market nor can they fund the
re-export of seized goods to the country of origin. Some countries
recommended that all costs of re-export or destruction should
be borne by the smuggler.
- Customs Offices also identified training needs for prosecutors,
police and judges since several countries found it difficult
to initiate court cases, to collect the necessary evidence
and to impose appropriate fines or penalties to the smugglers.
- The majority of the participating countries requested UNEP
to continue the activities of the ECA enforcement network
and to organize ECA enforcement network meetings in 2011 and
2012 (subject to funding availability). These activities should
closely be coordinated and integrated with Green Customs activities
in the ECA region.
- The majority of countries recommended to extend the scope
of the ECA Ozone Protection Award to all trade-related Multilateral
Environmental Agreements (MEAs) of the Green Customs Initiative
and to conduct such competition for Customs and Enforcement
Officers at the global level.
- The meeting allowed the establishment of new partnerships
with the United Nations Conference on Trade & Development
(UNCTAD) and the Organization for Security & Cooperation
in Europe (OSCE). UNCTAD offered to test the ASYCUDA multi-agency
risk-management function and certification module in a selected
pilot country prior to next year's meetings. These tools would
initially be applied to ODS but the scope could be extended
to other environmentally sensitive goods in future. OSCE expressed
interest in coordinating their training and capacity building
initiatives in Central Asia with the Green Customs Initiative.
Customs & Enforcement Officers play a key role in preventing
illegal trade in environmentally sensitive goods and environmental
crime. Such crimes risk jeopardizing the achievements of UNEP's
trade-related Multilateral Environmental Agreements. Illegal
trade in ozone-depleting substances, persistent organic pollutants,
hazardous waste and endangered species contributes to irreversible
loss of ecosystems, biodiversity and directly impacts on human
health. Recently, USEPA estimated that the Montreal Protocol
amendment of 1997 will avoid more than 22 million additional
new eye cataract cases for Americans born between the years
1985 and 2100.
The Ministry of Nature Protection of Turkmenistan and the
OzonAction Programme of UNEP's Division on Technology, Industry
& Economics organised the Enforcement Network and back-to-back
regional Green Customs meetings in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan,
11-15 October 2010. The meetings were opened by Hon. Mr. Jumamurad
Saparmuradov, Deputy Minister of Nature Protection of Turkmenistan.
Hon. Mr. Atakuliev Bayramgeldi, State Customs Service of Turkmenistan
and Hon. Mr. Lenni Montiel, UNDP Resident Representative of
Turkmenistan welcomed the 70 participants from 20 countries
in Europe & Central Asia as well as China. The participants
included Customs and Ozone Officers, resource persons representing
the Montreal Protocol (ozone-depleting substances), Stockholm
Convention (persistent organic pollutants), Rotterdam Convention
(prior informed consent), Basel Convention (hazardous waste),
CITES (endangered species) as well as the international organizations
The meetings were co-funded by the Multilateral Fund for
the Implementation of the Montreal Protocol (MFS), Czech Republic,
Global Environment Facility (GEF), OSCE and Green Customs.
The meeting documents and presentations will shortly made
available through the website: http://fr1.estis.net/sites/ecanetwork/default.asp?site=ecanetwork&page_id=A78A0571-E3CC-413A-B276-F68066D5EC15
For further information please contact:
UNEP DTIE OzonAction, Paris Office
Mr. Rajendra Shende, Head
Mr. Halvart Koeppen, Regional Officer (ECA)
Tel: +33-1443714-32, Fax: +33-1443714-74
Email: firstname.lastname@example.com
Regional Ozone Network in Europe & Central
Asia (ECA)
The Regional Ozone Network in Europe and Central Asia was
created in 2003 with the technical and financial support from
the Multilateral Fund, the Czech Republic, Hungary and the
Slovak Republic. It is now part of UNEP DTIE's OzonAction
Compliance Assistance Programme and includes the following
12 member countries: Albania, Armenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina,
Croatia, Georgia, Kyrgyzstan, Former Yugoslav Republic of
Macedonia, Moldova, Montenegro, Serbia, Turkey and Turkmenistan.
The ECA network is a dynamic group of countries spread over
three sub-regions (Caucasus, Balkan, Central Asia). The following
Countries with Economies in Transition (CEIT countries) participate
in selected network activities as part of their GEF-funded
institutional strengthening projects: Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan,
Tajikistan, Uzbekistan. Other CEIT countries are involved
in selected activities subject to funding availability.
Several former ECA network countries have already acceded
to the European Union and have been reclassified as Article
2 countries. Candidate countries include Croatia, Macedonia
(FYR) and Turkey and potential candidate countries Albania,
Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro and Serbia.
The network is supported by implementing agencies
(UNDP, UNIDO, World Bank) and bilateral partners (Czech Republic,
European Union, Hungary, Poland) as well as the Multilateral
Fund and Ozone Secretariats. Additional partners include the
World Customs Organization's Regional Intelligence Liaison
Offices (RILOs), South Eastern Cooperation Initiative (SECI),
Green Customs partners, United Nations Conference on Trade
& Development (UNCTAD), Organization on Security &
Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), the Air-conditioning and Refrigeration
European Association (AREA), the International Institute of
Refrigeration (IIR) as well as industry, TEAP and TOC experts.
Regional networking provides a regular interactive
forum for Ozone Officers from the region to exchange experiences,
develop skills, and share knowledge and ideas with counterparts
from both developing and developed countries in order to meet
compliance, the provisions of the Montreal Protocol and its
amendments. Through regular network and thematic meetings
and on-going dialogues, networking helps ensure that Ozone
Officers have the information, skills and contacts required
for managing national ODS phase-out activities successfully.
Specific compliance assistance is provided to countries with
compliance issues.
In 2009 and 2010, activities related to the ECA Enforcement
Network and Green Customs initiative were implemented by the
ECA Regional Ozone Network and similar activities are planned
for 2011 and 2012 subject to funding availability.
more ...
5 October 2010 - Tata Young, Asia's pop music sensation, was
awarded this year's Montreal Protocol Award of the United
States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) for raising
public awareness on the importance of protecting the ozone
layer - a notable effort that contributes to the achievement
of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) on environmental
The Award, which recognizes individuals and organizations
who are making a difference in protecting the environment
through their demonstrated commitment and extraordinary contributions,
was presented to Ms. Young by Judith B. Cefkin, the U.S. Embassy
Deputy Chief of Mission and Dr. Young-Woo Park, UNEP's Regional
Director and Representative for Asia and the Pacific during
a ceremony yesterday at the Foreign Correspondents' Club of
Thailand (FCCT) in Bangkok.
The USEPA highlighted Ms. Young's work with OzonAction Programme
in the Division of Technology, Industry and Economics of the
United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). One of the singer's
first projects with OzonAction was a public service announcement
(PSA) entitled "My Ozone Wish" that encourages people
to stop using products that contain ozone depleting substances.
Ms. Young, who has record labels with Sony Music, also uses
her concerts to inform the public about protecting the ozone
layer. At the mega launch of her third album "Ready for
Love" in Bangkok last year, the "My Ozone Wish"
PSA was screened, and a special sticker saying "Protect
yourself, protect the ozone layer" was placed on the
album's cover which later sold over 10,000 copies.
"It is an honor for me to be recognized by the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency, and I will continue to use the power of
music to capture people's hearts and encourage them to take
action to protect the ozone layer and to help prevent climate
change," said Ms. Young upon receiving the award.
The Montreal Protocol, signed by 196 countries, was designed
to reduce and eventually eliminate ozone-depleting substances.
The phase-out of ozone-depleting substances, including hydrochlorofluorocarbons
(HCFCs) in air conditioning and refrigeration equipment, necessitates
a long-term commitment from all developed and developing countries
alike. HCFCs and some of the alternatives, such as hydrofluorocarbons
(HFCs), are global warming gases, and their continued production
and emissions contributes to climate change. Parties to the
Montreal Protocol in 2007 accelerated the HCFC phaseout with
a view toward increasing climate protection. In November,
Parties will consider two amendment proposals concerning HFC
reduction to ensure stronger climate protection.
"We would like to thank Tata and her management team
for their wonderful efforts," said Dr. Young-Woo Park.
"UNEP's OzonAction Programme is looking forward to working
with her in the future to raise public awareness on ozone
layer protection and its strong linkages with climate change,
which is one of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs),"
added Dr. Park.
Tata Young's award ceremony follows the celebration of two
other special occasions, the 2010 International Ozone Day
on 16 September and the launch of a new UNEP brochure entitled
"Stand Up for the Ozone Layer and the Millennium Development
Goals." This pocket size booklet explains in simple language
how protecting the ozone layer can also contribute to the
achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) by
the 2015 target.
The MDGs are a set of eight concrete and specific development
goals adopted by 189 world leaders committed to achieving
by 2015 as part of the Millennium Declaration signed at the
United Nations Millennium Summit in 2000. These time-bound
Goals are: 1) end extreme poverty and hunger; 2) achieve universal
primary education; 3) promote gender equality and empower
women; 4) reduce child mortality;
5) improve maternal health; 6) combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and
other diseases; 7) ensure environmental sustainability and
8) develop a global partnership for development.
"The latest review of the MDG Goal 7 on environmental
sustainability has found it regressing and lagging behind.
The impacts of climate change directly threaten the achievement
of the MDGs as they push the poor and vulnerable deeper into
poverty," said Mr. Minar Pimple, Regional Director of
the UN Millennium Campaign Asia and the Pacific Regional Office.
"The need to address climate change concerns, including
the rapid depletion of ozone layer, is deeply intertwined
with the long-term efforts to achieve the MDGs to end global
poverty. Thus a climate change strategy should have the MDGs
and poverty reduction at its core," he explained.
Mr. Pimple also added that the outcome of the recent UN MDG
Review Summit in New York last month attended by over 150
world leaders illustrated that push to achieve the MDGs has
been accelerated through renewed global partnership.
The Ruamrudee International School students and the Kaya
Green Band also performed "Fix That Hole", a song
about ozone layer protection during the ceremony. The song
was written by the Kaya Green Band from the Philippines last
year for the 2009 International Ozone Day Celebration.
The award ceremony was hosted by the United Nations Environment
Programme, Division of Technology, Industry and Economics
(UNEP DTIE) OzonAction Programme, the United Nations Millennium
Campaign (UNMC), Ruamrudee International School (RIS) and
the United States Embassy in Thailand.
Ms. Satwant Kaur, firstname.lastname@example.com
Mr. Atul Bagai, email@example.com
Ms. Natthinee Rodraksa, email@example.com
International Conference "Road to Climate Friendly Chillers
- Moving beyond CFCs and HCFCs" was held
in Cairo, Egypt on 30 September-1st October 2010. Its aim
was to assist Article 5 developing parties to the Montreal
Protocol in the identification of further activities in the
chiller sub-sector and potential environmental and economic
benefits of alternative refrigerants management and chiller
replacement strategies. The conference was organized jointly
by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP Division
of Technology, Industry and Economics)'s OzonAction Branch,
with the American Society of Heating Refrigerating and Air
Conditioning Engineers Inc. (ASHRAE) and in cooperation with
implementing agencies of the Montreal Protocol - the World
Bank, UNDP and UNIDO - as well as bilateral partners.
View related video > http://bit.ly/9TDQ8G
Learn more through the following links:
> http://www.ashrae-ral-crc2010-eg.org/prog.html
> http://www.rcfc2010.org/index.php
Here to
Read/Download the Proceedings
A Tribute to
K. Madhava Sarma, former
Executive Secretary, UNEP Ozone Secretariat, by Rajendra Shende,
Head OzonAction Branch. Click
here ... to view/listen
to the live tribute
Madhava Sarma has served the Ozone Secretariat from 1991 to
2000 as the Executive Secretary. During his tenure, he served
the Parties to the Vienna Convention and its Montreal Protocol
through the turbulent meetings, including the Meetings of
the Parties to the Protocol in Copenhagen, Vienna, Montreal
and Beijing. Some of the key issues resolved at those meetings
were the replenishment of the Multilateral Fund and the adjustments
and amendments to the Montreal Protocol. He streamlined the
administration of the institutions of the Protocol, the reporting
requirements and other administrative obligations so that
the Parties could devote their full attention to resolving
challenging political issues.
Prior to being recruited to head the Secretariat, Madhava
Sarma was a senior member of the Indian diplomatic team involved
in the negotiations between the first and the second Meetings
of the Parties (1989-1991). During this time, he was an effective
spokesman for the developing country perspective and co-sponsored
many of the provisions of the London Amendment that satisfied
the developing countries including on the financial mechanism,
while creating enforceable obligations to protect the ozone
layer. He made other significant contributions as the senior
Indian official looking after environmental policy, law, institutions
and international cooperation, including responsibility for
all global environmental issues.
Prior to joining the national Government of India, he served
in Tamilnadu, one of the states of India, as Head of District
Administration, Chief Executive of the Water Supply Board,
and as Secretary to the Government, Irrigation and Power.
During this State tenure, he was responsible for planning
and implementation for many water supply, irrigation and energy
projects. He earned the 1996 US EPA Stratospheric Ozone Protection
Award and an award from UNEP 'For Extraordinary Contribution
to Ozone Layer Protection'. Apart from his many activities
in India, he occasionally served UNEP as a consultant to on
ozone and other environmental issues.
Mr. Sarma was a pioneer in ozone layer protection. With exceptional
dedication, Mr. Sarma made outstanding contributions to shaping
the Montreal Protocol to what it is today - a most successful
multilateral agreement in global environmental protection
and the first multilateral agreement to have achieved universal
ratification. Mr. Sarma's vision, wisdom and leadership were
an inspiration to all and he will be sorely missed. He will
remain as a person whose efforts made a significant and positive
difference to the future of the environment for our children
and grand children. We pray for Mr. Sarma's eternal peace
and at the same time we celebrate his life - a great life
lived to the fullest.
Achim Steiner, Executive Director
UNEP Kenya
= = =
When the soul is sad for a friend that moves ahead, when
the grief is beyond your boundaries and your passion fades
away, just live and live the best memories of Sarma as your
tribute, your invisible yet indelible bond to beyond the beyond
of our own existence.
Marco Gonzalez, Montreal Protocol Ozone Secretariat
= = =
The books and articles will be Sarma's enduring legacy of
ozone layer protection; our memories are the priceless joy
that will help us all continue to champion the values Sarma
Just now I can see Sarma the child at the foreign movies dreaming
of being the world-citizen he became, in a math class finding
the magic of science that served him so well on ozone and
climate protection and at his beloved math institute, at the
Montreal Protocol Meeting of the Parties holding court and
directing the actions so skillfully. Best of all I see him
with his extended family, proud to have had an influence in
our lives and the lives of children to come.
It is simply the case that the ozone layer could not have
been saved without Sarma, and that life on Earth would not
have been so grand and satisfying.
Stephen O. Andersen, TEAP
United States of America
= = =
The whole ozone family community is saddened by the loss
of our great leader. Mr. Sarma has touched so many lives;
we will miss him a lot. He for sure made my life change for
the better. In the past 20 years, he has guided me as a Brazilian
delegate, then as TEAP Co-Chair and as part of the UN community.
He was always there for me as he was for the whole ozone family!
Smart, wise, firm, humble and a caring human being, Mr. Sarma
always had a word to say that made all the difference!
He will always have a special place in my heart and will
be remembered. I am praying for his soul and hoping we, his
friends, together with his family, can find comfort and celebrate
his wonderful life.
Suely Carvalho, Montreal Protocol and Chemicals Unit
UNDP New York
= = =
The news of Sarma's death breaks all of our hearts. We were
so lucky to know this great man and have him as our friend.
We'll never be able to replace him, but we can try harder
to live up to his standards.
Durwood Zaelke, Institute for Governance and Sustainable
= = =
Our beloved Sarma Ji passed away to heaven. The finality
of this aspect of life is so difficult to bear...the feeling
that we can never again get his advice, gain from his wisdom,
hear his laughter and voice and feel his presence around you
is something so difficult to contend with. I am too overcome
with grief to write anymore. My only solace is in my pilgrimage
to Chennai where I can pray for his peace
Atul Bagai, UNEP Ozone Network
= = =
Our Sage, my Guru, environmental Lama, Philosopher at its
simplest, Guide that showed us obvious but often-missed trails,
Friend that created like-minded groups with uncanny skills
and mentor par excellence has left us. Simple avatar of complicated
logic has disappeared.
It makes us feel like we were standing on the platform while
train passes by. Sarmaji was in the train. Deafening silence
of the train passing by is so unbearable.
I had privilege of watching Sarmaji very closely right from
the formative stages of the Montreal Protocol when he was
Indian negotiator. His down-to-earth environmental diplomacy
has contributed immensely to the structuring of the financial
mechanism of the Montreal Protocol, which made the Protocol
so unique and so successful. He not only wrote the history
of the Montreal Protocol but took part in creating it.
It is said that kingdom passes by but the wisdom remains
for ever. Sarmaji's wisdom would be with us for times to come.
Rajendra Shende, Head OzonAction Branch, UNEP
= = =
What does one say in a moment like this? I feel humbled by
the challenge before me: to reflect upon the life of a man
who had already seen, known, and accomplished so much by the
time I had the pleasure to know him; a man I eventually came
to know as my mentor, co-author and friend.
Sarma and I walking in the evening light in New Delhi then
having dinner with his family; Sarma bundled up in a winter
jacket to brave the 65 degree "cold" in Italy, Sarma
on stage in Athens, imparting decades worth of wisdom to the
gathered crowd; Sarma laughing, gathered with his friends
from the Montreal Protocol community; and Sarma giving advice
while a crowd of delegates leaned in, listening in rapt attention.
Sarma is very much alive - in the words he wrote, the wisdom
he shared, and in the hearts, minds, and actions of his friends,
colleagues, and family. His lessons live on in the thought,
word and deed of friends he and the students whom he mentored.
His legacy lives in the very strength of the Montreal Protocol
that he shaped.
Sarma has achieved what many of us aspire to do, yet few
of us ever succeed in accomplishing: his actions have made
him immortal. And we, as the grateful benefactors of his life's
accomplishments, will remember him always.
Kristen Taddonio, US EPA
= = =
Sarma was literally one of the pillars of both the Vienna
Convention and the Montreal Protocol. He was a very able negotiator
for India until he became Executive Secretary of the Ozone
Secretariat in 1991. He then was able to quickly change hats
and became an effective and impartial resource for all countries,
agencies and indeed civil society. His cool and calm demeanour
during MP negotiations in the 1990s - even when all those
around him were very excited and red in the face - helped
calm things down and ensure that a positive result was obtained.
I recall that Omar El-Arini and I were new to the political
processes of the Montreal Protocol - both of us heavily relied
on Madhava for advice and guidance all during the 1990s and
his guidance always proved to be accurate.
Most of all Sarma was a good friend. He was "one in
a million" and we will forever honour his memory and
Frank Pinto, Consultant on Climate Change and Development
= = =
We lost a great teacher, a cunning leader, and a dear friend
with the passing of K. Madhava Sarma. I learned more from
brief conversations with Sarma than I did from hours of lectures
and speeches by others. A great teacher and friend - and a
great loss for us and for the environment.
I learned an extraordinary amount about the environment and
international law from his simple, elegant, and always trenchant
way of looking at the many complex and seemingly intractable
problems confronting us -- and his inimitable way of finding
a path through them. The world is a richer place for his many
selfless and far-reaching contributions, and a poorer place
for his passing.
This Financial Times interview of Sarma with Nobel Lauriat
Mario Molina captures his distinct and insightful approach
to global environmental challenges...
My thoughts and prayers are with his family and the scores
of people his long and distinguished life has touched.
Scott Stone, Stockholm Group
= = =
We will carry Sarma's spirit with us in all our work and
all endeavours and are certain that this cannot be other than
of great support to us.
On behalf of all TEAP members, our heart-felt condolences
and we wish lots of strength in these difficult times.
Lambert Kuijpers, TEAP
= = =
We are greatly thankful for K. Madhava Sarma's pioneering
contribution on the Montreal protocol Community. Mr. Sarma
will be missed and remembered forever by all who lived together
in the Ozone Community.
It is really a sad month, September 2010, when we heard a
sudden passing away of the former senior expert member, Mr.
Yuichi Fujimoto and we received Mr. Sarma's heart-felt condolence
to him, saying "We were family and friends and we shared
the joys of protecting the earth for future generations even
as we celebrated the lives of each other's children and grandchildren."
And then just within a week, we were shocked to hear the unexpected
passing away of Mr. Sarma himself.
Masaaki Yamabe, TEAP Chemicals TOC
= = =
Mr. Sarma will be missed and remembered forever, his spirit
will be with us and lighting the way ahead.
Shiqiu Zhang, TEAP
Peoples Republic of China
= = =
We've just lost too much; I will always remember Mr. Sarma
as a fine man making a lot for our planet. Words can't express
my sorrow.
Sergey Kopylov, TEAP Halons TOC
= = =
Sarma's legacy is astounding. Memories are many. Grief is
profound. Words can barely express my sorrow. A light has
gone out in our lives. The ozone family has lost its leader.
Helen Tope, TEAP Medical TOC
= = =
Mr. Sarma will be sadly missed and I will always remember
his kind disposition and gentle manner. He was a true champion
of the ozone layer!
Marta Pizano, TEAP
= = =
He was a great man. We will miss him.
Ashley Woodcock, TEAP Medical TOC
United Kingdom
= = =
Very Sad News. We were hoping that our friend Sarma will
In the Koran, we can read "We belong to God and we return
to God."
Mohamed Besri, TEAP Methyl Bromide TOC
= = =
These are indeed sad days for the Montreal Protocol community.
Doubtless, we will be able to reflect further over the coming
days and weeks as these realities sink in. Above all, we should
be thankful for the tremendous contribution that Sarma made
to the Protocol.
Paul Ashford, Co-Chair TEAP Foams TOC
United Kingdom
= = =
I am saddened by Mr. Sarma's death. He was a fine man and
we all benefitted from his intimate knowledge of the Montreal
Protocol (that applies especially to newcomers like me). He's
left a wonderful legacy.
Ian Rae, TEAP Chemical TOC
= = =
I will remember Sarma Ji as a beacon, a peer and a fond friend.
His deeds immortalise him. He was a dear friend and a guide.
He will be sorely missed. Please count on my continued pursuance
of Sharma Ji's, works, ideals, happy and pleasant memories.
Husamuddin Ahmadzai
= = =
We were overwhelmed with sadness when we heard that Mr. Sarma
passed away. His life and work will be valued and remembered
for many years to come. He was a skilful negotiator, people-friendly
administrator and coordinator who carefully brought together
the right ingredients for successful decisions - and there
were many of them.
We feel very privileged that we were a part of his ozone
family, and immensely sad that he has left us so soon. He
lives on in our hearts!
Tom Batchelor and Melanie Miller, Touchdown Consulting
= = =
This is very sad. Sarma made huge contributions to protect
our children and our world. He was very gentle in manner,
and very determined in pursuing his goals.
David D. Doniger, Policy Director,
Natural Resources Defense Council Climate Center
= = =
I served in UNEP from 1998 to 2007, during which I had the
pleasure and honour of knowing and working with Sarma Ji.
My wife and I visited Sarma and Ramalakshmi's home for dinner
and we often met during our evening walks in the UN Compound.
I developed enormous fondness and respect for Mr Sarma on
account of his ability, commitment to public wellbeing and
personal decency and politeness. Mr Sarma agreed to undertake
a consultancy project at my request on the role of the Environment
Management Group despite his other commitments and the short
notice at which we requested him to undertake the assignment
and performed the task in a most admirable manner. Later,
during a visit to Nairobi, Sarma Ji told me to freely ask
him whatever I needed him to do without bothering about having
to pay for the work! This showed that for him, doing something
good was more important than financial rewards and recognition.
He was very happy that he was contributing some thing to India
after retirement and advised me to do the same in Pakistan
after retirement. He called it "paying back to the country
part of the debt one owes it." I am glad to say that
I have carried out his advice to the best of my ability.
We will all need courage and strength to bear this huge loss
with fortitude.
Shafqat Kakakhel, Former, Deputy Executive Director, UNEP
= = =
I am terribly shocked by this sad news and could not refrain
myself from crying for the loss of a wonderful friend and
a great leader for the ozone family. He guided me as a representative
of my country and later on as the MP coordinator at UNIDO.
He had always the right word at the right time to help me
go through some particularly difficult moments.
Sharma Ji was a truly wise man and a great contributor to
the protection of the ozone layer.
May his soul rest in peace and as we say in my country RAHIMAHOU
ALLAH since I strongly believe that beyond any belief and
any faith he can only be granted the doors of Eden.
S.M. Si Ahmed, UNIDO
= = =
I am deeply sorry to learn of the sad news. Please convey
my condolences to the family. Mr. Madhava Sarma has been a
good colleagues and a stanch supporter in our work.
TAN Meng Leng
= = =
It was a great privilege to know Mr. Sarma. His loss is cruel
not only for his family but also to his many friends around
the globe. Let us keep best memories of this great man and
be inspired by his lifetime achievements and passionate commitment
to make our planet a better place to live in.
Samira de Gobert, UNEP DTIE OzonAction
= = =
Very sad to hear of the passing of dear Sarma. What a gentle
and wise man with such an iron backbone. He's clearly done
so much. And what a powerful wind of karma he moves on with!
I can only smile and imagine what a force for the next generation
he will be, perhaps when he's needed the most.
Douglas Varchol
= = =
I am deeply saddened by reading the news of Mr. Madhava Sarma's
Even though I had to know him for very little, during the
UNEP-EPA Workshop in New Delhi in 2005,
and in Athens in 2007, his kindness and thoughtful words resonated
in me.
People like Mr. Sarma are the ever-lasting beacons of light
to shine our lives and hearts.
He stood behind the difficult, inconvenient and path-breaking
walk to protect the Earth and all of us in this life's ship,
and he steered the boat in the turbulence times and in the
right direction.
You are the giants who have worked with him for so long and
now you will keep carrying on his legacy.
I am just sending you few of my humble words because the Earth
is in real peril and there are no that many people left to
really care and protect it. I will keep his and your legacy
in my heart and remember his wisdom and accomplishments.
With sincere condolences,
Stella Papasavva, PhD
Environmental Consultant, USA
= = =
here to visit UNEP Ozone Secretariat -Tribute to
K. Madhava Sarma
Click here to view photo
Yuichi Fujimoto, Stratospheric
Ozone Champion and former
Senior Expert Member of the TEAP
(Assembled by Stephen O. Andersen, Penelope Canan,
Tsutomu Odagiri,
and Masaaki Yamabe)
Fujimoto died 21 September 2010 after a short illness. The
news of his death got quickly around the world. The traditional
Buddhist funeral ceremony (Otsuya) was held at the Tokuou-ji
Temple, established in the fifteenth century. Drs. Canan and
Andersen contributed dozens of messages of condolence from
the ozone community that were presented at the ceremonial
Fujimoto Yuichi-san was born in 1933 in Tokyo. After graduating
from the Engineering Department of the University of Tokyo,
he worked at Hitachi Ltd. until the late 1980s. At Hitachi,
he was given an opportunity to play active parts in overseas
assignments around the world, in part due to his considerable
language skills and amiable personality. In the late 1980s,
Yuichi Fujimoto emerged from manager of the Planning Department
of the Japan Electrical Manufacturers' Association (JEMA)
to become a leading force in stratospheric ozone protection
in Japan and worldwide. In just a dozen years he transformed
Japanese industry and set them on the road to comprehensive
thinking on the environment.
Fujimoto Yuichi-san was deeply embedded in the Montreal Protocol
Technology and Economic Assessment Panel (TEAP) and the Solvent
Technical Options Committee (STOC), the Industry Cooperative
for Ozone Layer Protection (ICOLP), the Japan Industry Cooperative
for Ozone Layer Protection (JICOP) the Global Pathfinder Meetings,
the PFC Semiconductor Partnership, the Thailand Partnership
for CFC phaseout in refrigerators, Vietnam Pledge, the projects
donating patented technology to public domain, and so much
more. He helped organized technology cooperation projects
in China, Hong Kong (before reunification with China), Indonesia,
Malaysia, Mexico, the Philippines, Vietnam, and many other
countries. From 1993 until 2002, he was Senior Expert Member
of the Montreal Protocol Technology and Economic Assessment
One of his most distinguished accomplishments was the phaseout
of CFCs from refrigerators in Thailand in 1996, which occurred
only one year later than in most developed countries. Another
extraordinary accomplishment was organizing in 1995 forty-three
multinational companies from Canada, Germany, Japan, Korea,
Sweden, Taiwan, the UK and the USA to pledge to avoid the
use of ODSs in Vietnam.
With Japanese colleagues and government he helped organize
the annual month-long training in Japan of developing country
ozone officers and experts that silently professionalized
this cadre and helped build community. He was deeply involved
in many publications on how the ozone layer was miraculously
rescued from certain destruction. For UNEP he helped author
"Technologies to Protect the Ozone Layer: Case Studies
on the Japanese Experience" highlighting the leadership
of 19 Japanese companies. With Tsutomu Odagiri he organized
and edited the translation into Japanese of Ozone Connections,
Expert Networks in Global Environmental Governance by
Drs. Penelope Canan and Nancy Reichman.
He led by his example of good will and an openness to cooperation
that was legendary. He was famous for success with diplomacy
and grace. His stories and photos were about remarkable children,
delightful grandchildren, and a loving wife. He cared deeply
for his family, his wife, two sons and daughter, and six grandchildren.
He basked in the knowledge that he had lived a good life.
He earned many awards including the US EPA Stratospheric
Protection Award in 1993, the US EPA Best-of-the-Best Ozone
Award in 1997, and United Nations Environment Programme TEAP
Champion Award in 2007. He was always proud to explain how
so many of his colleagues helped him achieve what he had done.
Yuichi Fujimoto among
the TEAP members at the 20th Anniversary of the Montreal Protocol
Award Ceremony,
Montreal, Canada, September 2007
"Yuichi, we promised each other that we would be together
watching the final recovery of the stratospheric ozone layer
and the extinction of the ozone hole. The most regrettable
event occurred on 21 of September, and we became not to realize
our dream of being together then. We share this dream with
members of Japanese Ozone Association and so many others dedicated
to global environment protection. May you rest in peace watching
the activities of your comrades from now until our dream becomes
Tsutomu Odagiri, Senior Managing Director
Japan Industrial Conference on Cleaning
"Fujimoto Yuichi-san was easily among the ten most
important people in the world protecting the stratospheric
ozone layer. He was energetic, right thinking, persistent
and persuasive. He tied the world together in ways no one
could imagine. I will miss him and I will remember all he
did to make the world and my life better. He will always be
an inspiration."
Dr. Stephen O. Andersen, Co-Chair
Montreal Protocol Technical and Economic Assessment Panel
"My daughter, Lily, loves Fujimoto-san as "family"
in Japan. She appreciates what he has done and that she owes
him a lot for making the planet safe to share with her children.
She knows him as a hero and as the face of Japan's enormous
contribution to the world of providing industrial leadership
in saving the stratospheric ozone layer."
Penelope Canan, Professor of Sociology and Ozone Scholar
University of Central Florida USA
"How terrible! We were family and friends and we shared
the joys of protecting the earth for future generations even
as we celebrated the lives of each other's children and grandchildren.
One of my daughters had the advantage of Fujimoto's hospitality
when she was in Japan for a short while and I got to know
his daughter when she worked in Kenya. Fujimoto-san was always
cheerful, always silently effective.
Madhava Sarma, First Executive Secretary
Ozone Secretariat, India
"Yuichi was a unique and exceptional person, and a powerful
advocate of industry leadership in environmental protection.
I'll miss Yuichi and his cheeky sense of fun and zest for
Dr Helen Tope, Co-Chair
TEAP Medical Technical Options Committee (MTOC), Australia
"Fujimoto-san was a remarkable host, a serene presence
in TEAP, and a person who knew how to enjoy life; be it dancing
salsa in Washington or surprising us by going alone to the
markets of Nairobi and mingling bravely, while we cuddled
in the safety of the hotel. The memories remain, and his family
and friends are proud of his accomplishments."
Jose Pons, Co-Chair
TEAP, Venezuela
"It is very sad to say "so long" to Yuichi
Fujimoto whose life is a profound example of what humans can
do to protect Earth and is an inspiration to us all."
Marco Gonzales, Executive Secretary
Ozone Secretariat, Nairobi, Kenya
"No words I can express
how so sad I am! Great
man, humble, wise, easy going and plain brilliant. I have
been fortunate to be his friend and enjoy his company and
his love for my country Brazil made us even closer. Love and
prayers go to Yuichi and his family, God bless Yuichi!"
Dr. Suely Carvalho, Director of Climate and Ozone Layer
UN Development Programme (UNDP), Brazil
"So many happy memories, a terrific colleague, and a
generous friend to so many people around the world. I am deeply
saddened, but will always remember his wonderful legacy.
Sally Rand
US Environmental Protection Agency
"The news of Yuichi Fujimoto's passing is indeed sad
news. As a major leading light in STOC/TEAP circles, he was
most highly respected by all for his wisdom and vigour in
battling against ozone-depletion."
Brian Ellis, Retired
TEAP Solvent TOC, Cyprus
"A smiling pathfinder and a quiet trail setter who took
a path of public service not travelled by many. He set in
motion a cleaning revolution with an incredible solvent called
'enthusiasm'. His outstanding initiatives with developing
countries remain immortal in the pages of case studies and
guidelines of OzonAction."
Rajendra Shende, Head of OzonAction
United Nations Environment Programme, France
"We have always respected Mr. Yuichi Fujimoto who was
an unprecedented Japanese pioneer in protecting the stratospheric
ozone layer. His devotion and achievements are really worthy
of being remembered as the National Treasure in Japan."
Masaaki Yamabe, Co-Chair
TEAP Chemicals Technical Options committee (CTOC), Japan
"Beyond Fujimoto Yuichi-san's inspiring exemplary commitment,
I will also remember his love for Opéra and Classical
music. It was one of the favorite conversations subjects,
each time we had the opportunity to meet. Gibran Khalil Gibran
might have been thinking of Yuichi Fujimoto when he wrote:
'And when you have reached the mountain top, then you shall
begin to climb. And when the earth shall claim your limbs,
then shall you truly dance.' May he rest in peace!"
Samira de Gobert, OzonAction Information
UNEP DTIE, France
Yuichi was always a true gentleman. While it's been many
years since he and I were last together, I carry fond memories
of our travels, meetings, dinners and parties. May he have
everlasting peace.
Art FitzGerald, Retired
Northern Telecom, Canada
Click here to see photos album...
UNEP Ozone Announces Winners
of the First Ozone Africa Media Award
Zimbabwes Busani Bafana and Gerald Tenywa from Uganda
Share Top Prize
Abidjan/Nairobi, 30 September 2010- The Jury of the Ozone
Africa Media award has honored two
African journalists for the high quality of their articles
on Ozone.
The co-winners, Busani Bafana and Gerald Tenywa were announced
today at the closing ceremony of the 14th Joint Meeting of
the Ozone Officers Network of English and French-speaking
Africa, organized by UNEP Regional OzonAction Compliance Assistance
Programme, in Abidjan, Cote dIvoire. Busani Bafanas
article Come 2010, time for Ozone Depleting Substances
to go tells the story of the phase out of Ozone Depleting
Substances (ODS) in Africa with continent ready to close its
borders to imports of ODS while opening up to the rest of
the world to celebrate the World Football Cup. It is a story
of a challenge to be met, as the African continent is ready
to score goals against ODS.
Gerald Tenywas story Ban on Old Fridges Starts
Biting as Nema Swoops in, focuses on the second life
of archaic fridges in Kampala, which have helped so many people,
particularly women who chill items cheaply in the kiosks but
now have to face the ban imposed on old fridges. The dealers
in old fridges are afraid of losing their business since the
Uganda Revenue Authority working under the advice of the National
Environment Management Authority is now implementing the ban.
The jury also awarded a special prize to Malawian Frazer Potanis
entry When climate change is witchcraft, for the
originality of his story, which illustrate how peoples
ignorance can lead to drama and death in rural communities,
confronted with the dire effects of climate variability and
UNEP Regional Director for Africa, Mounkaila Goumandakoye
said: The story of the Montreal Protocol is not just
about numbers and statistics. The Montreal Protocol is above
all a story with a human face, showing how the consequences
of a global environmental issue can affect us and how we as
individuals can be part of the solution. We are very happy
that African journalists have really used this special opportunity
to tell this story and we would like to encourage all categories
of journalists to participate in future editions.
Each of the co-winners will receive a cash prize of US$ 1,000
and will be invited in Kampala,
Uganda, host of the 22th Meeting of Parties to the Montreal
Protocol in November 2010 to receive
their awards.
Notes to editors:
The Ozone Africa Media Awards, the Ozone Africa Media Awards
is designed to elevate the standards of excellence in Environmental/scientific
reporting in print, audio and audiovisual media, focusing
on Ozone issues and honors individuals for their outstanding
achievement. The jury may however choose not to award prizes
if applications do not meet the minimum standards defined
by the jury for its selection.
For this first edition, the jury, consisting of representatives
from UNEP, other implementing agencies, Ozone, and Media experts
decided not to award prizes in Radio, and audiovisual media.
The 14th Joint Meeting of the Ozone Officers Network of English
and French-speaking Africa, was organized to facilitate compliance
in meeting and sustaining total phase out requirements in
various Ozone Depleting Substances (ODS) as set by the Montreal
Specifically, the meeting facilitated exchange of experiences
among ODS Officers in the implementation of the Montreal Protocol
activities including follow up on the progress on the implementation
of various Montreal Protocol projects; addressed specific
non-compliance situations in view of the 2010 phase out target;
provided guidance for HPMP preparation and implementation;
addressed methyl bromide phase-out in the region and finalized
the Ozone Africa Media Award 2010 competition process.
The meeting was attended by Ozone Officers from all countries
in Africa, Ozone Secretariat, Multilateral Fund Secretariat,
Implementing and Bi-lateral Agencies and Environmental Journalists.
In the African Region, the implementing agencies of the Multilateral
Fund include UNIDO, UNDP as well as bilateral partners
US-EPA, France and Germany.
The Regional Network of National Ozone Units (NOUs) under
the Multilateral Fund is a pathbreaking mechanism for North-South
and South-South cooperation, as intended in the Bali Strategic
Plan. Networking provides a platform for NOUs from African
Countries to exchange experiences, develop their skills and
tap the expertise of their peers in other countries. Conducted
at the regional level, the Networking activity builds the
Ozone Officers' skills for implementing and managing their
national ODS phase-out activities.
For more information, please contact:
Jeremy Bazye, Regional Coordinator of the Ozone Compliance
Assistance Programme (CAP), Africa, Tel +254 20 7624281, E-mail:
Angele Luh, Information Officer, UNEP Regional Office for
Africa, Tel: +254 20 7624292; Mobile:
+254 (0) 731 666 140; Email: email@example.com
Release date: 16 September 2010
WASHINGTON Scientists, federal investigators, international
government officials, and a pop music artist are among the
recipients of the 2010 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA) Montreal Protocol Awards. Honorees are being announced
today to commemorate the International Day for the Preservation
of the Ozone Layer.
"Recognizing these accomplishments is important to foster
innovation and inspire others to make a difference in protecting
the environment," said Gina McCarthy, assistant administrator
for EPAs Office of Air and Radiation. "Today's
awards prove again that the Montreal Protocol has been instrumental
in accelerating international commitments that will leave
our planet a healthier, safer place for our children and grandchildren."
This years winners have made outstanding contributions
in protecting the ozone layer, reducing greenhouse gas emissions
and improving public awareness about environmental issues.
In addition, they have established successful cancer prevention
programs and helped countries develop effective strategies
to comply with the Montreal Protocol.
Several awardees are being honored for lifetime achievements,
including the team of scientists who documented the discovery
of the Antarctic ozone hole 25 years ago: Joe Farman, Brian
Gardiner and Jonathan Shanklin.
The Montreal Protocol, signed by 196 countries, was designed
to reduce and eventually eliminate ozone-depleting substances.
The phase-out of ozone-depleting substances, including hydrochlorofluorocarbons
(HCFCs) in air conditioning and refrigeration equipment, necessitates
a long-term commitment from all developed and developing countries
alike. HCFCs and some of the alternatives, such as hydrofluorocarbons
(HFCs), are global warming gases, and their continued production
contributes to climate change.
Earlier this year, the U.S., Canada, and Mexico jointly submitted
a proposal to amend the Montreal Protocol to phase down HFCs
globally, with the potential of reducing 88,000 million metric
tons of carbon dioxide equivalent by 2050, the equivalent
of removing 420 million passenger cars each year through 2050.
This proposal will be considered at the November Meeting of
the Parties in Uganda.
More information about awards: http://www.epa.gov/ozone/awards/index.html
Contact: Stacy Kika, email@example.com,
202-564-0906, 202-564-4355
Today a new publication - the Manual for Refrigeration Servicing
Technicians - is launched to address this timely need. Produced
by the OzonAction Branch of the United Nations Environment
Programme, the manual provides new approaches to prevent emissions
of CFCs during the operation and servicing of equipment and
catalogues steps to recycle the CFCs and retrofit the equipment.
Developing countries, called Article 5 countries under the
Montreal Protocol on Substances That Deplete the Ozone Layer
are also embarking on the second stage i.e. phasing-out of
hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs), the last remaining refrigerant
that is ozone depleting. The manual also contains the guidelines
for the prudent use of HCFCs and emission preventing actions.
These help countries slow down the growth of HCFCs and ease
phase-out efforts.
CFCs and HCFCs are powerful greenhouse gases. Over the past
few years the environmental and technical issues surrounding
the use of refrigerants have evolved at a remarkable speed.
Indeed, the variety and types of ozone and climate-friendly
refrigerants currently available are significantly different
from those commonly used a few years ago, as is the way in
which they may be applied. Using the procedures outlined in
the manual would help protect the ozone layer as well as provide
other environmental benefits, including some that would help
in the fight against climate change.
"This manual is a final guideline for closing the global
CFCs chapter forever - lock, stock and barrel," said
Mr Rajendra Shende, Head of OzonAction. "At the same
time, it also makes beginning of the end of HCFCs," he
Division of Technology, Industry and Economics, OzonAction
15 rue de Milan, 75009, France, France, Tel: +18.104.22.168.14.50;
Fax: +18.104.22.168.14.74
E-mail: email@example.com
URL: http://www.unep.fr/ozonaction
It is important that managers, engineers and technicians
are fully conversant with the technical and safety issues
of these new refrigerants. This is essential so that they
can make proper decisions about refrigerant usage in the near-
to medium-term, but also have an eye on options for the longer-term
to get maximum climate benefit. The manual is also intended
to be a supplementary tool for the effective delivery of the
national training programmes for technicians. It includes
environmental aspects of refrigerants, their types and selection
criteria, refrigerant management, servicing practices, retrofitting
and, importantly, safe refrigerant handling. The manual is
available as an e-publication at:
Secretary-General's Message on the International Day for the
Preservation of the Ozone Layer, 16 September 2010
This year, the International Day for the Preservation of the
Ozone Layer highlights the central role of good governance
in pursuit of environmental goals. In general, successful
environmental agreements require a broad framework, clear
targets and a gradual approach to implementation. Then, as
governments gain confidence, they build on initial steps and
set more ambitious goals. The Montreal Protocol on Substances
that Deplete the Ozone Layer - which last year achieved universal
ratification - is an excellent example of this process. Read
more... A|
New Report Highlights Two-Way Link
Between Ozone Layer and Climate Change
Geneva/Nairobi, 16 September
2010 - International efforts to protect the ozone layer-the
shield that protects life on Earth from harmful levels of
ultraviolet rays-are a success and have stopped additional
ozone losses and contributed to mitigating the greenhouse
effect, according to a new report. Read
Rising to the Challenge of HCFC
This years observance of International Ozone Day marks
yet another milestone for the Montreal Protocol and its Multilateral
Fund. Since 1991 the Multilateral Funds goal has been
to support governments in Article 5 countries to enable them
to implement the Montreal Protocol.
Twenty Three Years After
the Signing of the Montreal Protocol, the Ozone Layer has
Stabilized But a Large Antarctic Ozone Hole Continues to Occur
on a Yearly Basis
... The Scientific Community has
been working on the next Assessment of the state of the ozone
layer, which will be published in 2011. The International
Ozone Commission (IO3C) of IAMAS-IUGG urges all national and
international Agencies, which support scientific research
and monitoring of ozone and related parameters to continue
supporting these activities... Read
Path-Breaking Awareness Event
in Market Place in Beijing, China
International Ozone Day preparatory celebrations in China
started with an awareness event at a place where awareness
needed the most, i.e. at the market place! China's unprecedented
and steep economic growth has spurred the consumer markets
across the countries. The demand for the so called ' white
goods' including room air conditioners is rising at the rate
of more than 20% . Room Air conditioners use HCFC ( Hydrochloroflurocarbon)
that deplete the ozone layer and also cause global warming.
China is the largest producer and consumer of HCFCs in the
Ministry of Environmental Protection , China Household Electrical
Appliances Association ( CHEAA) and UNEP OzonAction
collaborated to hold the event in front of the huge open square
of Xinhua Market, west of the Forbidden city of Beijing. They
along with team of volunteers responded to the questions of
the press, broadcasters and other mediapersonnel as well consumers.
Large number of curious consumers, young and old, gathered
to know the campaign.The posters and booklets on HCFC alternatives
and use of non HCFC air-conditioners were distributed to the
consumers .
A show of already achieved CFC phase out was arranged in the
open square with the hoardings and boards.
For further information please contact:
Rajendra Shende, Head OzonAction Branch
United Nations Environment Programme
Division of Technology, Industry and Economics
15, rue de Milan, 75441 Paris CEDEX 09, France Tel: 33-1-44371459,
Fax: 33-1-44371474
e-mail: firstname.lastname@example.com@unep.org
Website: www.uneptie.org/ozonaction
B2B: www.halontrader.org
International Ozone Day Week
- Ask the Expert
This week's 'Ask
the Expert' at UNEP.org is dedicated to Ozone Layer protection.
from 13-17 September, each day a new expert will be available
to answer your questions.
- Ask the Expert
>>> http://www.unep.org/experts/?l=en
HCFCs are widely used in air conditioning applications as
well as in refrigeration and in manufacturing of insulation
foams. HCFCs not only destroy the stratospheric ozone layer
which is essential to life on Earth but they are also potent
greenhouse gases having Global Warming Potential 2000 times
more than carbon dioxide In 2007, international community
took an important step for accelerated phase-out of HCFCs.
i.e. by 2030 in the developing countries in order to advance
ozone layer recovery by nearly 4 years and reduce the cumulative
emissions of the green house gases by nearly 25 giga tons
of the equivalent of CO2.
Bhutan's enviable reputation in environment conservation thus
far is testimony of its commitment of pursuing sustainable
development based on the philosophy of Gross National Happiness,
which underscores that development cannot be pursued on the
premise of economic growth alone but has to take place in
combination with the emotional and spiritual well-being of
the people. As eloquently summarized by His Majesty the King
Jigme Singye Wangchuck, "Gross National Happiness is
more important than Gross National Product". This has
been the guiding force of Bhutan's sustainable development
His Majesty the King has also stated that "Throughout
the centuries, the Bhutanese have treasured their natural
environment and have looked upon it as the source of all life.
This traditional reverence for nature has delivered us into
the twentieth century with our environment still richly intact.
We wish to continue living in harmony with nature and to pass
on this rich heritage to our future generations".
The United Nations Environment Programme, Division of Technology,
Industry and Economics (UNEP DTIE) OzonAction Programme has
been working closely with the National Environment Commission
Secretariat, Bhutan in the development of HPMP while assessing
various risks associated with the implementation of such a
plan over a long time framework of 20 years.
In this process, relevant Ministries in the country, including
the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Bhutan Chamber of Commerce
and Industry (BCCI), Ministry of Health, Department of Customs
as well as other national stakeholders have agreed to commit
and collaborate in the implementation of the plan.
"Such a strong commitment of Bhutan to HCFC Phase out
will help them reach their ambitious target. OzonAction Programme
will work shoulder to shoulder with Bhutan to stop the consumption
of this group of chemicals earlier than the Montreal Protocol
phase out deadline, as was done when CFCs were phased out
by Bhutan" said Mr. Rajendra Shende, Head of UNEP DTIE
OzonAction Programme. "Scaling the Himalayan peaks require
excellent supply chain management . OzonAction would do exactly
that by providing capacity building and technology support"
added Mr. Shende.
Bhutan has committed to phase out the consumption of HCFCs,
mainly used in the air conditioning and refrigeration servicing
sector in its large industrial establishments, hotels and
resorts, corporate offices, governmental sectors, as well
as domestic servicing sector. The plan also involves policy
and legislations, training and capacity building activities,
as well as information outreach for HCFC phase-out.
"Our decision to phase out HCFCs will demonstrate to
the world our determination to protect our planet by benefiting
from the low hanging climate benefit fruits from the Montreal
Protocol and cutting carbon footprints and promoting energy
efficiency and green economy." said Ms. Peldon Tshering,
National Environment Commission Secretariat, Bhutan.
This is an encouraging action that demonstrates to the global
community that small countries like Bhutan can also be at
the frontline in the battle against climate change and the
protection of the ozone layer.
Mr. Atul Bagai
Senior Regional Network Coordinator
Compliance Assistance Programme
OzonAction Programme
UNEP Regional Office for Asia and Pacific
UN Building, Rajdamnern Nok Avenue
Bangkok 10200, Thailand
Mobile: +66847002257
Tel: +6622881662
Fax: +6622883041
Email: email@example.com
JumpStart Partnership Achieving
Climate Benefit from
HCFC Phase-out
July 2010, Brussels Up to 25 GtCO2-eq. emissions between
now and 2050 could be eliminated through the phase-out of
Hydro-chlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs). Such phase-out will also
bring a net benefit of advancing the recovery of the ozone
layer by up to 3.3 years. Today a tool-box developed by the
OzonAction Branch of UNEP DTIE, with the support of the European
Commission (ENRTP), the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency
and the Multilateral Fund for the Implementation of the Montreal
Protocol, was launched to help developing countries to contribute
to this goal. HCFCs are widely used around the globe in applications
such as refrigeration, air conditioning and manufacturing
of insulating foams. Read
more ...
Read/Download the Three E-Books:
HCFC policy & legislative options
on the Process for Selecting Alternatives to HCFCs in Foams
to HCFCs in the Refrigeration and Air conditioning Sector
Unparalleled Success of the Montreal Protocol Shows that Action
on Climate Change is Within our Grasp
Paris, 1 July 2010 - The recently published 2010 edition
of the United Nations MDG report highlights the ozone protection
success to date of the Montreal Protocol and emphasises its
potential to achieve significant additional climate benefits:
"By 16 September 2009, 196 parties had signed the
Montreal Protocol, making it the first treaty of any kind
to achieve universal ratification. All the world's governments
are now legally obligated to phase out ozone depleting substances
(ODSs) under the schedules defined by the Protocol. This year-2010-marks
the beginning of a world virtually free of the most widely
used ODSs, including chlorofluorocarbons and halons.
Throughout the process, developing countries have demonstrated
that, with the right kind of assistance, they are willing,
ready and able to become full partners in global efforts to
protect the environment. In fact, many developing countries
have exceeded the reduction targets for phasing out ODSs,
with the support of the Montreal Protocol Multilateral Fund.
Between 1986 and 2008, global consumption of ODSs was
reduced by 98 per cent. Furthermore, from 1990 to 2010, the
Montreal Protocol's control measures on production and consumption
of such substances will have reduced greenhouse gas emissions
by the equivalent of 135 gigatons of CO2.This is equivalent
to 11 gigatons a year, four to five times the reductions targeted
in the first commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol, the
agreement linked to the UN Framework Convention on Climate
Change. Parties to theMontreal Protocol are now examining
ways to use the treaty's vigorous implementation regime to
promote even greater climate change benefits.
Without the action prompted by the Montreal Protocol and
its Vienna Convention, atmospheric levels of ozone-depleting
substances would grow 10-fold by 2050. The resulting exposure
to the sun's ultraviolet radiation would likely have led to
up to 20 million additional cases of skin cancer and 130 million
more cases of eye cataracts; it would also have caused damage
to human immune systems, wildlife and agriculture. For much
of the world, the time it takes to get sunburned would have
been dramatically reduced, due to a 500-per cent increase
in DNA-damaging ultraviolet radiation." (page 54)
As preparations enter into high gear for the September summit
on the MDGs during the General Assembly's 65th session, a
series of report launches, official events and press briefings
are taking place at the UN in New York building momentum for
this year's big push to accelerate progress - just five years
from the 2015 deadline for achieving the Goals. This 2010
MDG report will be one of the key reference documents used
to assess where UN members stand in meeting their MDG commitments.
The full report can be downloaded from: http://www.un.org/millenniumgoals/
The UNEP DTIE OzonAction Programme
assists developing countries to meet and sustain their compliance
obligations under the Montreal Protocol. See
and www.ozzyozone.org
is Walking the Talk: Deriving Climate Benefits from Ozone
Layer Protection
11 June 2010- Today, President Mohamed Nasheed,the Vice President
and a number of ministers from the Maldives announced an important
Joint Declaration for the Implementation of the HCFC Phase
out Management Plan (HPMP) during the inauguration of the
High-Level Roundtable Dialogue on HPMP and its contribution
on Carbon Neutrality.
HCFCs have been utilized as substitutes for chlorofluorocarbons
(CFCs) for use in refrigeration, including air-conditioning
units, refrigerators and various types of manufacturing processes.
HCFCs not only destroy the stratospheric ozone layer which
is essential to life on Earth but they are also greenhouse
gases. In 2007, international community took an important
step for accelerated phase-out of HCFCs.
Early this year, the Maldives has made a historic decision
to phase out HCFCs by 2020, in line with its carbon neutrality
policy, 10 years ahead of the Montreal Protocol phase out
"The Maldives has become the first country in the world
to receive the funding from the Multilateral Fund for the
Implementation of the Montreal Protocol for the country's
HPMP. This demonstrates to the world that Small Island States
can also be at the frontline in the battle against climate
change and the protection of the ozone layer" said Ms.
Maria Nolan, Chief Officer of the Multilateral Fund for the
Implementation of the Montreal Protocol.
The Maldives has committed to phase out the consumption of
HCFCs, mainly used in the air conditioning in its nearly 100
tourist resorts spread in its more than 1200 islands.
In this process, relevant Ministries in the country, including
the Ministry of Trade, Customs, Tourism, Attorney General
and Fisheries, as well as various national stakeholders have
agreed to commit and collaborate in the implementation of
the plan.
"We believe that going green isn't just ecologically
sound but also economically beneficial. The Maldives is famed
for its luxury resorts, whose refrigeration systems are the
source of most of the country's HCFC emissions. Moving early
to phase out the use of HCFCs over the next decade, not only
helps protect the beautiful tropical environment tourists
come to see but also positions Maldives as a strong eco-destination"
said President Nasheed.
Yesterday, high-level officials from the Maldives and the
United Nations, along with high commissioners from India and
various national stakeholders discussed about the mechanism
and the way forward in expediting the implementation of the
HCFC phase out plan.
"This dialogue gave us the opportunity to brainstorm
about the implementation mechanism, including the policy and
legislations, private sector's involvement, energy efficiency
benefit, as well as how to put HCFC phase-out at an appropriate
place in the Carbon neutrality policy of the Maldives"
said Mr. Javier Camago, Chairman of the Executive Committee
of the Multilateral Fund.
The Maldives' HPMP is the world's first national phase out
plan which specifically targets this group of chemicals. With
its overarching structure, it covers different sectors and
stakeholders in the country, including the media. As part
of the plan, the Maldives also organized a media workshop
to raise media's awareness on HCFC phase out issues on 9 June
"The Montreal Protocol's success has shown that we now
know that together we can address climate challenges through
technology support and capacity building efforts. What we
need now is leadership to get further climate benefits from
the ozone layer protection. I am pleased that Maldives is
demonstrating that leadership role" said Mr. Achim Steiner,
UN Under-Secretary General and Executive Director of UNEP.
more ...
Photos Album available
on OzonAction Facebook:
Air Conditioning (MAC) and the Environment: India Policy Workshop
on the status of MAC Replacement Technologies,
New Delhi, India, 7-8 June 2010.
The Curtain Raiser and other related videos are available
OzonAction YouTube playlist 'International
MAC workshops.'
Regulates Ozone Depleting Substances
Bangkok/ Beijing, 1 June 2010- After having closed down all
its production plants for CFCs much ahead of the schedule
of the Montreal Protocol, , the world's largest producer of
Ozone Depleting Substances ( ODS) , China, has enacted today
the Regulations on the Administration that include controls
over consumption, trade, import, export and production of
remaining ODS.
more ...
The Antarctic Ozone
Hole: Then and Now
25 years since the discovery of Antarctic ozone depletion
ozone hole in September 1984 to 2009 / ©NASA
A quarter of a century has now passed since ozone depletion
in Antarctica was first discovered by scientists from the
British Antarctic Survey and reported in the internationally
renowned journal Nature in May 1985.
On the 7th May 2010 a symposium was held in the Department
of Chemistry at the University of Cambridge, UK, to celebrate
the publication of this paper. The United Nations Environment
Programme (UNEP) OzonAction Programme was invited to this
prestigious event and attended in its Information Clearinghouse
role under the Montreal Protocol's Multilateral Fund.
The speakers at the Symposium included: Joe Farman and Jonathan
Shanklin, two of the British Antarctic Survey scientists who
were authors of the original paper; Paul Crutzen, winner of
the Nobel Prize for Chemistry in 1995 for his work with Mario
Molina and Sherwood Rowland on ozone depletion; Susan Solomon,
NOAA and the former chair IPCC WG1; David Fahey, NOAA; John
Pyle, UNEP/WMO co-chair & University of Cambridge; Michael
McIntyre, University of Cambridge, Jean-Pierre Pommereau,
CNRS; and Keith Shine, University of Reading.
OzonAction made a contribution to the seminar, at the request
of the organisers, disseminating Climate
Benefit from Ozone Layer Protection: "Low Hanging Fruits"
a new booklet which will be of interest to anyone involved
in cross-cutting issues between the ozone protection and climate
protection communities, produced by the Outreach Division
of the United Nations Department of Public Information (UN
DPI) and the special issue of OzonAction newsletter, 2010
and Then? Building on the Montreal Protocol's Success and
Facing the Challenges Ahead.
OzonAction filmed short interviews with several of key scientists
participating, which it is now pleased to share with the wider
Montreal Protocol community (see below). The following videos
can be viewed on the OzonAction channel on YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/ozonaction).
Click on the pictures/links below:
Dr. Susan Solomon, National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
and the former chair of Intergovernmental Panel on Climate
Change Working Group I
Dr. Paul Crutzen, Nobel Prize Winner of Chemistry in 1995
Dr. Jonathan Shanklin, The British Antarctic Survey
Dr. David Fahey, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
More details of the event can be found here:
British Antarctic Survey press release:
Reflections on the ozone hole - Jonathan Shanklin, one of
the team who discovered the thinning ozone layer over the
Antarctic 25 years ago, reflects on lessons learned from a
tale of luck, public perception and fast environmental change.
The abstract can be viewed here (payment is required to access
full article):
Link to the original 1985 Nature paper:
Related articles:
Nature has a collection of related articles that have advanced
our understanding of the stratosphere and the ozone layer
Whatever Happened to the Ozone Hole? National Geographic Article:
The chance discovery that averted ecological disaster. The
Deep reflections on the ozone story. Richard Black, environment
correspondent for the BBC News website http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/thereporters/richardblack/2010/05/ozone.html
Live webcast - Friday 7 May 2010, on the symposium celebrating
the 25th anniversary of the publication of the Farman et al
paper announcing the discovery of the Antarctic ozone hole,
will be available at >>> http://www.ozone-sec.ch.cam.ac.uk/
[No more available]
The Antarctic Ozone Hole:
Then and Now
A Symposium on the 25th Anniversary of the Publication of
Large losses of total ozone in Antarctica reveal seasonal
C1Ox/NOx interaction
J.C. Farman, B.G. Gardiner & J.D. Shanklin
British Antarctic Survey, Natural Environment Research Council,
High Cross Madingley Road, Cambridge CB3 OET, UK
1030 - 1800, Friday 7th May 2010
Venue: University of Cambridge Department of Chemistry,
Lensfield Road, Cambridge CB2 1EW
The discovery of the Antarctic Ozone Hole led to intensive
research to find out why such large ozone losses were occurring
in a region which was previously thought to be chemically
inactive. This research involved both atmospheric chemistry
and meteorology and so it is entirely fitting that the royal
societies of the two disciplines are supporting this workshop.
The finding also led to the Montreal Protocol which limited
ozone-depleting gases and so to close involvement of atmospheric
scientists with the chemical industry and the political process.
Thus, while the focus is on the atmospheric science, talks
will cover the industrial and political developments. The
presentations will be given by leading international speakers
and will cover the scientific and political importance of
the discovery of the Antarctic Ozone Hole, as well as the
latest developments.
Speakers include
Paul Crutzen, Nobel Prize winner
David Fahey, NOAA
Archie McCulloch, formerly ICI
Michael McIntyre, University of Cambridge
Jean-Pierre Pommereau, CNRS
John Pyle, UNEP/WMO co-chair & University of Cambridge
Jonathan Shanklin, BAS
Keith Shine, University of Reading
Susan Solomon, NOAA, former chair IPCC WG1
and Joe Farman
Space will be limited, so if you wish to attend this symposium
please register at
Registration is also necessary to receive more detailed information.
The current version of the programme can be found here:
Meeting of the Regional Ozone Networks for Europe & Central
Asia and South Asia, Istanbul, Turkey, 26 - 30 April 2010
Asia Meets Europe - MEDIA BRIEFING
For first time, the Regional Ozone Networks for South Asia
and for Europe & Central Asia met jointly to promote inter-regional
cooperation between South-Asian, Central Asian, Caucasus and
Balkan countries. The venue could not have been in any other
place, since Istanbul is the only city in the world situated
on 2 continents - Asia and Europe.
The meeting allowed Ozone Officers from more than 30 countries
to exchange their experience in phasing-out the use of ozone-depleting
substances (ODS) such as CFCs and HCFCs widely use in refrigeration,
air-conditioning and foam production.
In the margin of the meeting, Country Dialogs allowed addressing
illegal trade issues through the comparison of trade data
and verification of transaction documents. Apparently, significant
amounts of CFCs and HCFCs have been illegally traded between
countries often mis-declared as recycled substances which
are not controlled under the Montreal protocol. Russia, China
and other countries are now investigating these cases in order
to identify the responsible persons.
Alternative technologies using refrigerants which are not
harming the ozone layer were presented by leading manufacturers
such as Daikin and Mayekawa. Modern supermarkets such as Carrefour
in Istanbul is using carbon dioxide (CO2) as cooling agent
which is an ozone- and climate-friendly alternative to ODS.
Pepsi Cola Turkey displayed their commercial bottle coolers
running on hydrocarbons (HC) and the Croatian meat factory
Pik Vrbovec presented their new plant using ammonia (NH3).
These case studies demonstrated that commercially viable alternatives
to ODS exist and are used in Article 5 countries.
Options of co-financing climate and other environmental benefits
through mechanisms like the Voluntary Carbon Market or through
energy savings were explained and case studies presented.
Such co-financing will be vital when countries of the regions
start implementing their HCFC phase-out management plans (HPMPs).
Countries around the globe are currently preparing their
HPMPs in accordance with the accelerated phase-out schedule
for HCFCs agreed on at the 19th Meeting of the Parties of
the Montreal Protocol.
National refrigeration & air-conditioning (RAC) associations
will play a crucial role in overcoming the barriers to technology
innovation and market penetration. For this reason, Heads
of national RAC associations participated in the meeting to
share their state-of-art knowledge and to get acquainted with
alternative technologies. These associations are best placed
to ensure efficient communication to companies, investors
and technicians and to inform on alternatives technologies.
As a direct result of the meeting, an umbrella network has
been created to link up these national RAC associations at
the regional level in order to promote coordinated and harmonized
action in terms of training and certification of technicians.
The newly established website www.ECAcool.org will be the
bilingual (Russian - English) communication platform between
these organizations. A working group consisting of RAC associations
from Armenia, Georgia, Hungary, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Turkmenistan
and Tajikistan has been established with the purpose to find
ways forward and appropriate recommendations for future work
were developed.
The joint network agreed to promote the ECA Ozone Protection
Award 2010 for Customs and Enforcement Officers and identify
cases of illegal trade detected or prevented during the period
January - June 2010. Furthermore, it was agreed to further
encourage the submission of iPIC info sheets and in particular
work with the major exporting countries to facilitate their
A special side event was organized for the Turkish military
sector to address the use of ODS in military mainly halons
and CFCs and a follow-up event is being planned.
The Ministry of Environment and Forestry of Turkey and the
OzonAction Programme of UNEP's Division on Technology, Industry
& Economics organised the joint meeting of the Regional
Ozone Networks for Europe & Central Asia (ECA) and South
Asia (SA) in Istanbul, Turkey, 26-30 April 2010.The joint
meeting was opened by Mr. Sedat Kadioglu, Deputy Undersecretary,
Ministry of Environment and Forestry of Turkey. The welcome
statement was delivered by Mr. Young-Woo Park, Regional Director
Asia Pacific, UNEP. The participants included Ozone Officers
and Heads of national refrigeration & air-conditioning
(RAC) associations of the ECA network and SA network as well
as associated CEIT countries. Representatives of implementing
agencies (UNDP, UNIDO, UNEP and World Bank), bilateral partners
(Hungary, Poland, Germany and Japan), international organisations
(AREA) and private sector (Neutronics, RemTech International
and EOS Climate) supported the meeting as resource persons.
The meeting documents and presentations will shortly
made available through the website: http://www.estis.net/sites/ecanetwork/default.asp?site=ecanetwork&page_id=225395AC-4F4F-44BA-BD5F-9163CFA6D087
Related Information:
PepsiCo is the second largest food and beverage company worldwide.
Through the Performance with Purpose program, PepsiCo is committed
to continuously lower its environmental impact. PepsiCo is
member of the "Refrigerants,
Naturally!"partnership and designed in cooperation
with it's suppliers energy efficient bottle coolers with natural
cooling gases without HFC's. For these point of sale coolers,
PepsiCo uses the latest technology and energy management systems,
system optimization, eliminated HFC as foam blowing agent
and is testing alternative refrigerants CO2 and HC. Turkey
was the first market where PepsiCo developed a nation wide
infrastructure and capability of local suppliers to work with
the new bottle coolers that operate on hydrocarbon and are
51% more energy efficient than traditional coolers. PepsiCo
also has extensive field tests with coolers with natural cooling
gases in other countries for instance in Europe, China and
India. In this, PepsiCo pursues a dual approach keeping both
CO2 and HC coolers as options open. . "Refrigerants,
This second edition of "Vital Ozone Graphics" includes
details on the latest decisions taken by the Parties to the
Montreal Protocol to accelerate the phase out of HCFCs and
outlines the implications this has on the use of replacement
chemicals. The Resource Kit also focuses on the linkages and
interconnections between ozone depletion and climate change
and the remaining challenges posed by the considerable
amounts of ozone depleting substances remaining in equipment
around the world.
Vital Ozone Graphics 2.0 - Climate Link is produced jointly
by the OzonAction Branch of UNEPs Division of Technology,
Industry and Economics (DTIE), UNEP/GRID-Arendal and Zoï
Environment Network, with support provided by the Multilateral
Fund for the Implementation of the Montreal Protocol.
the PDF
Available as Interactive E-book
and Central Asia (ECA) Ozone Protection Award 2010 for Customs
and Enforcement Officers:
Individual Customs and Enforcement officers who have successfully
prevented illegal trade of ozone-depleting substances (ODS)
or products/equipment relying on ODS to/or from member countries
of the regional ozone network for Europe and Central Asia
(ECA network) are eligible to be nominated for the ECA Ozone
Protection Award 2010.
Nominations should be submitted by the
National Ozone Units to the coordinator of the ECA network
by 30 June 2010.
more ...
Saudi Arabia to return to
UNEP and UNIDO recently embarked on a joint high level mission
to Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia where they had extensive
discussions with His Royal Highness Prince (HRH) Turki bin
Nasser bin Abdul Aziz, the President of Presidency of Meteorology
and Environment (PME) on Saudi Arabia's non-compliance with
the Montreal Protocol.
The Action Plan to return to compliance, the need to strengthen
the National Ozone Unit (NOU), ratification of Beijing and
Montreal amendments and challenges of HCFC phase out, considering
that Saudi Arabia is among the 10 largest HCFC consuming countries
in the world, were the highlights of the discussions.
HRH Prince Turki assured UNEP-UNIDO representatives of his
country's commitment to return to compliance.
UNEP OzonAction
26 March 2010
en el Protocolo de Montreal
a Workshop on the Evolution of the Montreal Protocol organized
by FONDOIN with the aim of enhancing the training of officials
in what has been the development, operation and scope of the
Montreal Protocol. Mirian Vega, Regional Network Coordinator,
ROLAC, congratulated the Latin America and the Caribbean countries
for the success they have had on the progress of the outcome
of the Montreal Protocol.
more ...
de Reconversión Industrial - FONDOIN
8 March 2010
to Climate Friendly Chillers: Moving Beyond CFCs and HCFCs"
United Nations Environmental Program and the American Society
of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE)
are sponsoring a conference titled "Road to Climate Friendly
Chillers: Moving Beyond CFCs and HCFCs" September 30-October
1, 2010 in Cairo, Egypt. The main objective of the conference
is to enhance the practical knowledge on state-of-the-art
alternative refrigerants and communicate achieved results,
successes and lessons learned.
Authors are invited to submit an abstract on the following
- Heat Driven Water Chiller Technology
- Vapor-Compression Chiller Technology
- Absorption Chillers Technology
- Practical Experience: Operation, Maintenance, Energy Performance
- Solar Assisted Cooling Systems
- Industrial Chiller Technology
- District Cooling
- Facility Dimensioning and Building Integration
- Alternative Refrigerants
- Retrofitting of Refrigeration Systems
- Future Refrigerants
- Funding and Implementation of Chiller Replacement Programs
The abstract should be in Word or PDF format
and should not exceed more than a page.
The abstract should
- the title of the paper
- five (5) keywords
- authors' names and affiliation
- name of corresponding author together with email and full
postal address,
telephone and fax numbers
- be written in English, which is the official conference
deadline for submission of abstracts is April 15, 2010.
Authors will be notified
of the acceptance of their abstracts by April 25, 2010. Full
technical, non commercial papers are to be submitted, based
on the guidelines for preparing the manuscripts, only after
the acceptance of abstracts. Papers are due June 25, 2010.
here to review ASHRAE's Commercialism Policy.
Abstracts should be submitted, by the deadline, to Prof. Walid
Chakroun, DRC, Region-At-Large, ASHRAE, and should be emailed
to firstname.lastname@example.com
Lear more ... http://www.rcfc2010.org/
Caribbean Leaders Work on
Keeping the Ozone Layer Intact
officers and other key stakeholders in the upkeep of the ozone
layer from Caribbean states met in Belize to discuss HCFC
alternatives use in the refrigeration industry.
Other related links: Radio
7 and The
Guardian Newsletter
Announcement: Senior Environmental Affairs Officer
Under the overall supervision of the Director, UNEP DTIE and
the functional supervision of the Head, OzonAction Branch
in the Paris duty station, the incumbent will: supervise,
coordinate and support in substance the operation of the regional
activities; establish strategic linkages with networking activities,
institutional strengthening, training and implementation of
national compliance plans; identify linkages between the Montreal
and Kyoto Protocols and facilitate the transfer of environmentally
friendly technologies and policies among network members.
OzonAction programme , a star programme of UNEP, that is known
for the innovation, creativity, delivery and result based
management is scouting for the candidate for its pivotal position
of Network and Policy Manager for overseeing its unique and
ever active regional networks of government focal points from
145 developing countries in 10 regions all over the world.
This officer, who will be a member of UNEP's Compliance Assistance
Programme, will supervise, coordinate and support in substance
the operation of the regional activities, including: a) Give
substantive guidance to the Regional Network Coordinators
on information to be provided to national ODS officers, b)
Guide the RNCs on the preparation of the RNCs' work programme
and the operation of each network, c) Collect, analyze and
present information on critical issues at the annual meetings,
e) Secure exchange of experience between networks and promote
coordination between the network activities and other OzonAction
activities, d) Establish strategic linkages with networking
activities, institutional strengthening, training and implementation
of national compliance plans, e) Identify the linkages between
the Montreal and Kyoto Protocols and facilitate the transfer
of environmentally friendly technologies and policies among
network members, f) Select and follow-up the recruitment of
suitable RNCs, including introductory training of RNCs. This
officer will also be responsible for monitor the progress,
results and expenditure within the programme, and preparing
inputs to yearly requests for continued funding. Qualified
candidates should have work experience dealing with environmental
issues on the national and/or international level with substantive
experience in preparing and/or implementing national governmental
policies to phase-out ODS; experience in cooperation with
Ozone Officers from developing countries, experience in project
management and ODS and Montreal Protocol related issues from
international organizations.
UNEP is looking for the candidates who would work under the
direction of Head, OzonAction Branch of UNEP DTIE, and should
possess exceptional qualities with managerial and leadership
Closing date for applications: 19 April
to vacancy announcement...
video updates from MOP 21
Throughout the 21st Meeting of the Parties to the Montreal
Protocol, UNEP OzonAction conducted short interviews of key
members of the Montreal Protocol community who participated
in this event, to get their impressions of the Montreal Protocol
challenges and successes from their perspective. The interviews
and other short reports of MOP 21 are updated daily on the
UNEP OzonAction YouTube Channel.
OzonAction YouTube Channel ...
5 November 2009 | UNEP
the Programme of Work of the International Cooperation Agreement
between UNEP & ASHRAE
The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-conditioning
Engineers (ASHRAE) and the United Nations Environment Programme
(UNEP) launched a joint Programme of Work in margins of the
Annual ASHRAE Conference of its Region-at-Large, which held
in Kuwait during 3-5 October 2009, to activate the International
Cooperation Agreement previously signed between the two organizationsKuwait
5 October 2009
more ...
5 October 2009 | UNEP
the Hole and Sealing the Deal: Resolve of African Countries
135 days Before 2010 Deadline for Total Phase out of CFCs
- Confirming the success story as 100% African countries are
set to meet the deadline Representatives of 39 African
Countries, gathered in rock. city of Abuja in Nigeria
to make final maneuvers and set sails towards finishing line
of 1st January 2010, when consumption of CFCs and Halons will
be assigned to history books.
The 13th ODS Officers Network (ODSONET) joint meeting held
in Abuja, Nigeria, was organized by UNEP Compliance assistance
Programme in Africa, in collaboration with the government
of Nigeria.
more ...
20 August 2009 | UNEP
builds first Ozone village in Africa
The Nigerian Government
is building an Ozone village to serve as a technology development.
The announcement was made by the Nigerian Federal Minster
of Environment, John Ode at the opening of the 4 days ODS
Officers Network (ODSONET) Joint meeting,held in Abuja, Nigeria.
The village is located in Ogun State. As part of this project,
some locally fabricated prototype Ozone friendly machines
have been developed. The machines include a box of foaming
machines, CFC recovery and recycling machine and hydrocarbon
refrigerant production machine
more ...
19 August 2009 | UNEP
Worldwide, there are about 300 million people with asthma
and over 210 million with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
(COPD). As inhalers are the best way to treat these conditions
and as the use of inhalers is increasing throughout the world,
a lot of effort went into the development of inhalers in the
past. CFCs were used in manufacturing of inhalers. In line
with the global commitment to phase out CFCs under the Montreal
Protocol, research and development efforts for CFC free inhalers
were undertaken and CFC-free options for addressing asthma
and COPD were developed. It has taken more than 20 years of
research and expenditure of about US$2 billion to develop
the CFC-free metered dose inhalers.
As a part of the transition process to CFC-free inhalers,
health professionals in all countries are being urged to move
their patients onto new CFC-free asthma and COPD inhalers
at the earliest as all countries enter the final stages of
withdrawal of CFC-containing metered dose inhalers. It is
important to begin the medication transition now to ensure
that all people with asthma or COPD have ongoing access to
their medications and can use the CFC-free inhalers competently.
Soon all asthma and COPD inhalers available in the market
will be either dry powder or will use a hydrofluoroalkane
(HFA) propellant. It is important to note that, these inhalers
provide the same health benefits as the old CFC-containing
inhalers without damaging the ozone layer.
Now is the time to educate patients and ensure they know
how to use, clean and care for their new inhalers. Patients
using dry powder inhalers will also benefit from this education.
It's also a good opportunity to review patients' asthma and
COPD treatment and make sure they have their conditions under
This MDI awareness package has been developed with the expectation
that the NOUs in developing countries, in cooperation with
health sector stakeholders will use them. In line with their
national requirement, they can adapt, translate and outreach
the package within their country.
The resources in the package which have been created for
use in different occasions include Information statement for
health professionals, Consumer brochure for patients, PowerPoint
presentation for health industry, Draft letter to authorities,
Draft press release for health industry media, Draft press
release for general consumer media, Draft radio announcement
script and Draft question and answer sheet. These resources
provide details of the scientific basis for the efficacy and
safety of the CFC-free inhalers, explain the changes for patients
with asthma and COPD, and provide key messages about the transition
to CFC-free inhalers for specific groups, such as national
or regional authorities, stakeholder groups, media outlets
and the general public. They will be available for download
on the UNEP DTIE OzonAction website shortly.
For more information, please contact:
Mr. Atul Bagai, Regional Coordinator (Networking)
United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific
2nd Floor, United Nations Building
Rajdamnern Nok Avenue, Bangkok 10200
Tel: 66 2 288 1662
Fax: 66 2 280 3829
Email: firstname.lastname@example.com
Notes to Editors: The United Nations Environment
Programme (UNEP) is the United Nations system's designated
entity for addressing environmental issues at the global and
regional level. Its mandate is to coordinate the development
of environmental policy consensus by keeping the global environment
under review and brining emerging issues to the attention
of governments and the international community for action.
The Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone
Layer is an international treaty designated to protect
the ozone layer by phasing out the production and consumption
of a number of substances believed to be responsible for ozone
depletion. The treaty was opened for signature on September
16, 1987 and entered into force on January 1, 1989. Since
then, it has undergone five revisions, in 1990 (London), 1992
(Copenhagen), 1995 (Vienna), 1997 (Montreal), and 1999 (Beijing).
Due to its widespread adoption and implementation it has been
hailed as an example of exceptional international cooperation,
"Perhaps the single most successful international agreement
to date
About UNEP's OzonAction
The Montreal Protocol is at an advanced stage of implementation.
Developing countries now operate under a "compliance
phase" which requires them to achieve and sustain compliance
with specific obligations, promote a greater sense of country
ownership and implement the agreed Executive Committee framework
for strategic planning.
As an Implementing Agency of the Protocol's Multilateral Fund,
UNEP responded to this new compliance context by changing
its mode of operation and structure to better assist developing
countries with the implementation of the treaty. UNEP's OzonAction
Programme established a Compliance Assistance Programme (CAP)
that moved from a project management approach to directly
assisting countries with specific compliance challenges. The
CAP is delivered through specialized staff located in four
of UNEP's Regional Offices and in the Paris office of the
Division of Technology, Industry and Economics (DTIE).
Consistent with the above approach the CAP team in the Regional
Office for Asia and Pacific (ROAP) has developed to be the
centre for policy advice, compliance guidance and conduct
training to refrigeration technicians, customs officers and
other relevant stakeholders on compliance issues, promote
bilateral and multilateral cooperation and promote high-level
awareness by utilizing UNEP's staff.
UNEP OzonAction Programme: www.unep.fr/ozonaction
Multilateral Fund: www.multilateralfund.org
Ozone Secretariat: www.ozone.unep.org
Moves Forward on Ozone Protection
country strategy to eliminate ODSs is on track after being
approved at the 58th Meeting of the Executive Committee of
the Multilateral Fund for the Implementation of the Montreal
Iraq wants to eliminate ODSs such as CFCs from its refrigeration
and foam industries by 1 January 2010 in accordance with the
target set under the Montreal Protocol.
The Multilateral Fund will provide Iraq with almost US $6.3
million to finance its plans to phase-out CFCs, halons, carbon
tetrachloride and trichloroethane. UNEP and UNIDO, the Multilateral
Fund's implementing agencies, will work together with the
Government of Iraq and Iraqi enterprises and will discuss
the choice of replacement technologies to explore whether
new ozone friendly technologies with additional climate benefits
can be utilized in order to make the finance Iraq receives
work on two environmental protection fronts.
Read more... Arabic
| English
10 July 2009 | UNMFS
Dialog on Cooperation in Border Enforcement
Customs Officers Joint Meeting/Consultation, Urumqi, China,
23-25 June 2009
national institutions through regional co-operation. Forty
(40) Chinese Customs Officers from Urumqi Anti-Smuggling Bureau,
Policy & Regulation Division, Field Service as well as
Customs Offices in Kashi, Allah Mountain, Huoerguosi and Urumqi
airport participated in a training related to the Montreal
Protocol to Protect the Ozone Layer in Urumqi, China, 25 June
more ...
June 2009 |
Ozone Layer and Climate Change"
DPI NGO Briefing, Thursday,
18 June 2009
10:15 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
United Nations, Headquarter, Conference Room 4
UN Under-Secretary General Mr Kyotaka Akasaka addressed more
than 100 NGOs on 18 June in Conference Room # 4 at UN Headquarters.
What was so special about it? He was not wearing a tie! As
resolved, from June 15 for the next 3 months there is a "Cool
UN" campaign; UN HQ will keep its air-conditioning at
a higher temp than "high cool", so to still feel
comfortable UN staff will not wear ties this summer.
were other reasons why this address was different. Mr Akasaka
was flanked on both sides by some of the most well-known experts
of the Montreal Protocol, i.e. Dr Paul Newman of NASA, Dr
Durwood Zaelke of INECE, Ms Lisa Manley of Coca Cola Company
and Mr Rajendra Shende of UNEP, as well as Mr Jose Pons Pons
of the UNEP Technology and Economic Assessment Panel, participated
by Skype from Venezuela.
panel members, moderated by Laura Trevelyan, BBC correspondent
to the UN, presented the lessons from the Montreal Protocol
that will be useful for the road leading to Copenhagen ("HOPEnhagen",
as per USG Mr Akasaka) and how the Montreal Protocol has helped
in mitigating climate change and how the 195 governments stand
to gain economically by the HCFC phase-out in the near future.
The meeting closed after an extensive questions and answers
session and launching a galvanizing appeal to Governments
and NGOs to "Seal
the Deal" in Copenhagen, Denmark,
later this year.
18 June 2009
National Institutions Through Regional Co-operation
For the first time, 15 Heads of national refrigeration
& air-conditioning (RAC) associations participated in
the annual meeting of the Regional Ozone Network for Europe
& Central Asia (ECA network) in Yerevan.
The purpose was to initiate
cooperation among these associations and to define their
role in phasing out ozone-depleting hydrochlorofluorocarbons
(HCFCs) which also contribute to global warming.
The network unanimously agreed to
enhance this new cooperation by creating a joint website and
to invite them also to next year's ECA network meeting in
Istanbul. As an immediate outcome, Ozone Officers and Heads
of the associations established close contacts among each
other (in some countries for the first time) and countries
without such associations learned how such associations were
created and how they operate in other countries. It was recommended
to include a provision in phase-out management plans for HCFCs
for capacity building and networking of national RAC associations.
The meeting also agreed on venues
and dates of the forthcoming ECA enforcement network meeting
to initiate regional cooperation of Customs and Ozone Officers
to enforce trade controls for ozone-depleting substances (ODS)
in ECA network countries. This year's meeting is scheduled
for 12-14 October 2009 in Budapest, Hungary and will be organised
back-to-back with a regional Green Customs workshop raising
awareness on other Multilateral Environmental Agreements related
to hazardous waste, toxic chemical and endangered species.
In 2010, similar meetings will take place in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan.
The Ministry of Nature Protection
of Armenia and the OzonAction Branch of UNEP's Division on
Technology, Industry & Economics jointly organised the
annual ECA network meeting in Yerevan, Armenia, 18-22 May
2009. It was opened by the First Deputy Minister Simon Papyan
of the Ministry of Nature Protection of Armenia and UN Resident
Representative Vidal Consuela. Representatives of UNDP, UNIDO,
and UNEP, bilateral partners from Hungary and Romania supported
the meeting as resource persons.
In addition to the above-mentioned
topics, the following items were also considered: Awareness
raising on the implementation of the Montreal Protocol and
its amendments, status of compliance, data reporting and ratification,
status of HCFC phase-out management plan preparation and MDI
stakeholder consultations. Meeting participants also agreed
on the work programmes 2009 / 2010 for ECA network and associated
CEIT countries and set priorities.
The participants included Ozone Officers
and Heads of national RAC associations of the ECA network
and associated CEIT countries as well as representatives of
the implementing agencies (UNDP, UNIDO, UNEP), bilateral partners
(Hungary, Romania) and international organizations (AREA,
The meeting documents and presentations
will shortly made available through the ECA network's website:
above media briefing is available in Russian >>
For further information please contact:
Control of CTC import by
Pakistan through UNEP initiated dialogue between Pakistan
and South Korea under South - South Cooperation: Pakistan's
Pakistan is a party to the Montreal Protocol on the Substances
that Deplete the Ozone Layer since 1992. Pakistan has been
in full compliance with regard to import of various ODS. However,
the CTC emerged as an area of concern for Pakistan due to
its excessive import in 2005 which put the country at the
risk of non compliance under the Montreal Protocol.
As per Pakistan Country Programme, the baseline for the consumption
of the CTC is fixed on average level of 1998-2000 is 412.9
ODP Tones (375.37 ODS tones). According to the ODS Phase out
Plan of the Montreal Protocol, the import/consumption of the
CTC in Pakistan was to be reduced by 85% i.e. 61.9 ODP tones
(56.30 ODS tones) by 1st January, 2005. Under the ODS Phase
out Plan, Pakistan is required to maintain annual import/consumption
of CTC at the level of 61.9 ODP tones during 2005-2009 and
finally to phase it out completely (100%) by 1st January 2010
to meet our commitment under the Montreal Protocol. However,
it is pointed out here that the Ex.Com of the MLF in its 41st
meeting had approved funds for the CTC phase out in Pakistan.
On that occasion, Pakistan had signed an agreement with the
MLF whereby Pakistan inter alia agreed that allowable consumption
of CTC during the years 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009 would
be 61.9, 42, 32, 15 and zero ODP tones on 1st January, 2010.
In order to regulate the import of CTC, Ministry of Commerce
on the recommendation of Ozone Cell, Ministry of Environment
allocated CTC import quota to the following five eligible
importers in December 2004:-
i) M/s Sun Chemical Corporation
ii) M/s Tayyab Noor Mohummad
iii) M/s Paramount Corporation
iv) M/s Chemical Trading Corporation
v) M/s Junaid Corporation
Due to lack of coordination between national and international
stakeholders, some importers maneuvered to import CTC in access
of Pakistan's allocated quota. The Ozone Cell accelerated
its coordination with the national stakeholders specially
the Federal Bureau of Revenue and Ministry of Commerce to
monitor and control the import of CTC to bring the country
back into compliance. However, since there is no restriction
on the exporting country to export an ODS under the protocol,
the sword of unauthorized import of CTC in the country was
In order to arrest the problem, the CAP Team and its leader
Mr. Atul Bagai, Regional Officer, UNEP, Bangkok provided an
opportunity to the Programme Manager (Ozone Cell-Pakistan)
to hold a meeting with his South Korean counterpart Mr. Lim
on the sideline of the South-Asia and South East Asia Network
Meeting of the ODS officers held in 2006 at Bangkok to exchange
views for controlling the export of CTC from South Korea to
some unauthorized importers in Pakistan. In the backdrop of
this informal meeting initiated by UNEP, the ozone officer
of South Korea provided information about an attempt of CTC
import by a Karachi based unauthorized importer M/s Noble
Traders. Subsequently, the NOU-Pakistan and NOU South Korea
continued their cooperation under informal Prior Informed
Consent system (iPICs) to exchange information on the import
/ export of ODS. This interaction and coordination facilitated
NOU-Pakistan to curb the menace of illegal trade of CTC thereby
bringing Pakistan back into compliance. In the wake of ban
imposed by the country on CTC import together with the UNEP
initiated cooperation between NOU-Pakistan and NOU-South Korea
has brought the import the CTC to zero in 2008, one year ahead
of the CTC phase out target fixed under the Montreal Protocol.
The importing and exporting countries may follow this precedent
of the UNEP initiated South- South Cooperation to meet the
challenge of illegal trade of various ODS.
For further information, please contact:
Hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) are controlled substances
mainly used in air-conditioning and foam applications. Under
the Montreal Protocol, consumption and production of these
substances were required to be phased-out by 2040 with a cap
at 2015 levels from 2016 to 2039. Keeping in mind the need
to curtail growth of HCFC consumption which not only has Ozone
Depleting Potential but also direct and indirect global warming
impact, Parties to the Montreal Protocol came together and
agreed to an accelerated phase-out of HCFCs in the year 2007.
Under this accelerated HCFC phase-out, the baseline was defined
as average production and consumption for 2009 and 2010 for
developing countries.
The developing countries including Afghanistan are also required
to freeze their HCFC consumption by 2013 at baseline level,
reduce by 10% by 2015, reduce by 35% by 2020, reduce by 67.5%
by 2025 and reduce by 97.5% by 2030. Between 2031 and 2040,
2.5% average of baseline would be allowed for consumption
in refrigeration and air-conditioning servicing applications.
An important element of this accelerated phase-out of HCFCs
is to achieve this through adoption of technologies which
minimize Green House Gas (GHG) emissions.
To develop an overall HCFC phase-out strategy and to achieve
the immediate targets of 2013 and 2015, National Ozone Unit,
National Environment Protection Agency the Islamic Republic
of Afghanistan will prepare an HCFC Phase out management plan
with financial assistance of Multilateral Fund and UNEP.
The Government believes that data collection and strategy
development is very important for achieving HCFC phase-out
in a systematic manner in line with Afghanistan's commitments
under the Protocol. Refrigeration and other relevant sectors
need to assist in providing data and other inputs sought by
consultants and Government in this process. Government would
also have periodic dialogues with the relevant agencies; specifically
refrigeration sector in this connection over the next few
months and is expected to successfully develop and implement
a strategy for HCFC phase out in line with its commitments
under the Montreal Protocol.
For further information, please contact:
South Asia and West Asia
Networks of Ozone Offiers meet in Bahrain
100 participants from 26 countries gathering in Manama to
participate in the Joint Meeting of the South Asia and West
Asia Networks of Ozone Officers from 10-14 May 2009.
Key discussions will include the outcomes of the last Meeting
of the Parties and other related Committees and their impact
on countries, addressing several emerging issues such as trade
of ODS, residential air-conditioning industry as well as the
role of Media experts.
As the next key challenge of the Montreal Protocol, finding
alternatives for HCFCs, an ozone depleting and global warming
chemical which is mainly used in refrigeration will be another
fundamental topic for discussion.
Part of the debates will focus on examining the inter-regional
networking and experience exchange opportunities amongst industry
and governments in South Asia and West Asia regions.
Arabic | English
11 May 2009
UNEPInitiates Climate Ozone
Linkages for Maldives
DTIE's OzonAction Programme initiated the development of the
HCFC phase out management plan (HPMP) in Maldives from 18-22
April 2009.
The initiative, led by Mr Atul Bagai, Regional Network Coordinator
for South Asia, in Bangkok, is the first of its kind and will
explore the linkages between Ozone and Climate change while
Maldives strives to initiate the phase out of HCFCs during
2010-2015. HCFCs are used extensively in refrigeration and
air-conditioning in Maldives and in the tourism and fish processing
industry, the two main backbones of the Maldivian economy.
Apart from consultation meetings with stakeholders, government
officials and industry representatives, Mr Bagai met with
the Vice President, H.E. Dr. Mohammed Waheed Hassanmanik on
Maldives efforts in CFC phase out and the challenges ahead
for HCFC phase out. The Vice President inquired on how UNEP
could assist with their carbon neutral strategy. The HPMP
will evaluate carbon emissions from the HCFC use and will
suggest activities to phase out this use which will strengthen
efforts of Maldives to make it carbon neutral in the next
10 years.
24 April 2009
Honours Climate Achievements of the Montreal Protocol
The United States Environmental Protection Agency
has recognized the extraordinary climate benefits achieved
by the successful implementation of the Montreal Protocol.
The prestigious US EPAs Climate Protection awards presented
in Washington D.C. to individuals and organizations for their
extraordinary and dedicated work in climate protection
a number of which are receiving awards for their work in deriving
climate benefits from ozone layer protection activities under
the Montreal Protocol.
These awards demonstrate how much the World values UNEPs
efforts to provide policymakers and the business community
with the scientific and technological base for sound decision
OzonAction is particularly proud of UNEP winners Rajendra
Shende, Head UNEP DTIE OzonAction Branch, who earned his award
for helping 145 developing countries through networking activities
to comply with the Montreal Protocol. USEPA praised Mr. Shende's
longstanding efforts through UNEP's programme to advocate
the deployment of policies that simultaneously protect the
ozone layer and reduce climate change and the technologies
that use low- or no-GWP refrigerants and improve energy efficiency
in refrigeration and air conditioning in buildings and in
home appliances.
OzonAction's Samira de Gobert earned her award by demonstrating
exceptional skills in conceiving and implementing Ozone Layer
Protection Communication Strategies among large and small
developing countries on Ozone Layer Protection through innovative
use of electronic media.
Read more...
21 April 2009
Ozone Officers meet in St George's, Grenada, 24-27 March 2009
National Ozone Officers, implementing agencies,
the Ozone Secretariat and Government officials from the Caribbean
region gathered in St George's, Grenada to attend the Caribbean
Network Meeting of Ozone Officers from 24-27 March 2009. The
meeting was organized by UNEP Regional Office for Latin America
and the Caribbean (UNEP/ROLAC) through the Montreal Protocol
Compliance Assistance Programme (CAP) team in collaboration
with the Government of Grenada and the Ministry of Finance,
Planning, Economy, Energy, Foreign Trade and Co-operatives.
Paul Horwitz, Deputy Executive Secretary of the UNEP Ozone
Secretariat commended the Network on its success in compliance
management to the Protocol including timely data submission
and the number of countries that have reached complete phase
out of CFC ahead of the Montreal Protocol mandate.
Some key outputs of the meeting were:
- Ozone Officers received sensitization on national requirements
to begin addressing phase-out and national surveys of HCFC.
- To sustain the present achievement and implementation of
new and emerging requirements, the network concluded that
the institutional strengthening projects have to be continued
and funding needs to be increased to adequately address phase
out requirements.
- There is a need for a regional policy for the standardization
of skills and training for air-conditioning and refrigeration
technicians to allow for cross-movement across the region.
National Ozone Officers would have further discussions with
their respective ministries on building negotiation capacities
and strategies to allow for improved representation within
the Group of Latin America and the Caribbean (GRULAC).
Dubrie, Policy & Enforcement Officer, UNEP/ROLAC (Panama)
It was attended by high-level Government representatives
of 6 Balkan countries as well as Turkey and Georgia. The resource
persons included representatives of the European Commission,
Hungary, Ozone Secretariat, UNIDO, UNEP as well as the policy
experts Janusz Kozakiewicz and Vic Buxton and the refrigeration
expert Daniel Colborne. UNEP's Regional Director for Europe
Christophe Bouvier chaired the high-level section and Hungary's
representative Robert Toth the contact group meeting.
The objective of the meeting was to raise high-level awareness
on the need of introducing appropriate policy measures to
achieve the HCFC freeze in 2013 and the initial 10% reduction
in 2015 in Article 5 countries. Opportunities to contribute
to climate protection from Montreal Protocol implementation
through appropriate policy setting and technology choices
were also discussed. Perhaps the most important aspect of
the meeting was the sharing of experience between countries
which had already implemented some of the policy measures.
For the purpose of the meeting, a set of 20 fact sheets of
policy measures was prepared and presented during the ministerial
consultation. The contact group discussed these fact sheets
in detail and assessed which countries had already implemented
or are planning to implement selected policy measures. The
appropriate timing depends in many cases on the countries'
preferences but also on the phase-out provisions for HCFCs
under the Montreal Protocol and in case of accession countries
also on the possible date of accession and the policy measures
in place in the European Community.
Through the HCFC Help Centre, the 20 fact sheets of policy
measures will be made available toArticle 2 countries in other
regions. Many of these countries need to adjust their policies
and legislation in the coming years and it was recommended
that countries should submit their draft legislation to the
Ozone Secretariat and UNEP for review. Policy experts may
be used to present the fact sheets during regional meetings
or to review national draft legislation before approvel by
the Government..
It is the second time, that the Regional Director Christophe
Bouvier supports high-level activities of the ECA network.
In 2007, he chaired the ECA side event event on environmental
crime and climate benefits from ozone layer protection during
the Environment for Europe conference in Belgrade, Serbia.
The meeting documents, recommendations, presentations and
in particular the 20 fact sheets on HCFC policy measures are
available from the ECA
Halvart Koeppen, Regional Officer (Paris)
to Provide Support to Government of Iran on CFC MDI Phaseout
- NOU Iran Visits India, March 09
Under south-south cooperation initiatives, Government
of India agreed to provide support to Government of Iran on
CFC MDI phaseout related technical information exchange associated
with phaseout project implementation with assistance from
Cipla, India, ODS trade matters including HCFC phaseout for
better control and monitoring and inputs on India's plans
for HPMP implementation.
Dr. Ebrahim Haji-zadeh, National Ozone Officer of Iran traveled
to Iran during 14 and 18 March 2009. During this trip Dr.
Haji-zadeh visited Copla Ltd in Goa, India and the National
Ozone Cell of India.
Taking Cipla's current technical and managerial position
into account, especially from the viewpoint of technology
transfer, one may conclude that the company has made all its
efforts to localize its MDI production technologies taking
the best advantage of its domestic expertise and local technicians.
The company has also been successful in its human resources
development programmes through the whole process of technology
transfer and trained its required technical staff. This way
the company has succeeded to reduce the finished cost of its
new MDI manufacturing technologies. In light of the above
advantages and given the availability of human resources in
the India, establishment of a Science and Technology Committee
at local and/or regional levels by UNEP/ROAP is expected to
help the Montreal Protocol Regime to make the best of potential
resources of the region. Such a committee will be a good place
to have the cooperation of all involved countries of the region
towards a smooth transfer of technology in general and to
ensure specifically the process of replacement of CFC-MDIs
with HFA-MDIs, which can help to realize the concept of "Thinking
Globally and Acting Locally".
Atul Bagai, Regional Coordinator (Networking), South Asia
Compliance Assistance Programme - OzonAction - UNEP ROAP
Stakeholder Meeting, Kathmandu,
Nepal- March 09
Consultative meeting with Stakeholders were held on 11
March 2009. During this meeting, UNEP with UNDP made detailed
presentation on HPMP content and HPMP related data collection
process. The following were the key points relating to HPMP
that emerged from the consultations mentioned above.
" HCFC users primarily are in domestic air-conditioning,
building air-conditioning and industrial air-conditioning
applications. Apart from HCFC-22, one large hotel in Kathmandu
is operating a HCFC-123 based building air-conditioning system.
" No HCFC use is reported in commercial applications,
transport applications and use in reefer containers - these
(as per participants in the meeting) equipment use HFC-134a.
SM advised that while this may be true, this hypothesis needs
to be confirmed during field survey.
" Equipment using HCFC alternatives are already in use
in markets. They are mainly related to R-407c and R-410a.
These equipments are imported mainly from Malaysia, Thailand,
Japan, India and China. There is no reported use of HCFC blends.
" There are large number of international brands mainly
from China, a few European countries, India, Japan, Malaysia
and Thailand used in different applications in Nepal. They
are sold either through sole dealerships or through retail
" Porous border with India and China is likely to pose
a challenge while assessing demand of HCFCs. There was a general
feeling that the demand of HCFC is constrained by the Government
order. Further, it is important to note that the Government
released only 20 MT of HCFCs annually in the market in 2006
and 2007 against the limit of 23.04 MT specified in the order.
As explained to the mission team, this was to ensure that
"HCFC use in air-conditioning equipment imported into
the country is accounted for". The reasoning provided
appears to be due to internal Government consultations.
" Mr. Shakya (NREMA) informed that there is very limited
use of HCFC based air-conditioning systems in buses and transport
in Nepal. He also said that he is not aware of HCFC use in
containers servicing in Nepal. He also expressed general pressure
in the market on availability of HCFCs.
summaries of main conclusions have been compiled and given
to UNEP for being addressed as a part of HPMP of Nepal. For
awareness and publicity, as immediate measures, NREMA agreed
to communicate accelerated HCFC phaseout schedule and HPMP
preparation related initiatives to all their members and other
non-members through field contacts. For this they would use
their sub-regional offices in Nepal and also include it in
their website. The National Ozone Officer of Nepal also agreed
to outreach accelerated HCFC phaseout and HPMP preparation
initiatives through FM radio (which would have a good outreach
in Nepal). NREMA's website is http://www.nerema.org.np/
Atul Bagai, Regional Coordinator (Networking), South Asia
Compliance Assistance Programme - OzonAction - UNEP ROAP
MDI Stakeholder Awareness Workshop, Tehran, Iran- March
The 1st MDI stakeholder awareness workshop was organised
on 8th March in Teheran. This workshop was organised as
part of the UNEP non investment component of the MDI transition
strategy. The workshop was opened by the Vice Minister of
Department of Environment (DoE) with the key note address
by Director General of the Department of Drugs and narcotics.
The workshop was very well attended by about 45 participants
from Association of General Practioners, Association of
Lung Diseases, provincial heads of Drug Department and medical
sciences universities, Department of Drugs and Narcotics,
Importers of MDIs and gases, MDI manufacturer, Sina Dorou,
Institute of Standard and Industrial Research, Customs Department,
Ministry of Commerce, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry
of Industry, Ministry of Oil, UNIDO, UNDP, GTZ, National
Asthma Council, Australia, CFC MDI valve manufacturers (Bespak
of UK), Pamasol (MDI technology providers).
Mr. Atul Bagai made an opening statement on behalf of UNEP
and a presentation on "CFC MDI phase out- Regional
Situation in the context of Montreal Protocol Implementation."
Under the north-south cooperation framework, UNEP had invited
Ms. Kristine Whorlow, a MTOC member and CEO of National
Asthma Council, Australia to be the main resource person
for the workshop. Ms. Whorlow participated in this workshop
and shared her experiences/ views on importance awareness
and education on adoption of CFC free alternatives in a
fast track manner.
The Director General of Drugs and Narcotics gave a very
impressive key note address where he highlighted the problems
Iran will be facing in their MDI phase out. He highlighted
an important point that insurance companies should be asked
to cover the non CFC MDIs also as they tend not to cover
expensive medicines. He also promised fast track registration
process for HFA based MDIs in 2009 to ease the transition.
The Iran Lung Association made an excellent presentation.
They could be very good partners for UNEP's non investment
project. Equally good was the presentation of Bespak. Bespak
informed of a very practical solution USA has found out
for the high pricing of HFA based MDIs. The pharma companies
have introduced a 60 dose pack costing USd9 instead of the
earlier version of 200 dose packs costing USD 27. This makes
the drug affordable as the outflow of money by the patient
is spread over a longer period of time. It will be useful
to inform the manufacturing industry of the five countries
in the network to explore such mechanisms. Dose counters
have also been introduced (as per NDA recommendation) which
lets patients know how much dosage is left in the MDI. EU
will be following suit. This can also be informed to the
A5 countries manufacturers.
Atul Bagai, Regional Coordinator (Networking), South Asia
Compliance Assistance Programme - OzonAction - UNEP ROAP
MDI Workshop, Karachi, Pakistan,
March 09
Mr. Shaofeng Hu participated in the one day MDI workshop
organized by the Ozone Cell, Ministry of Enviroment. There
are about 40-50 participants from the line ministries, as
well as the doctors, manufacturers, and the patients associations.
The Secretary of the Ministry of Environment presented the
opening session of the meeting, made his key note speech,
and received the interview of the local TV station. The joint
Secretary and the Project Manager of the Ozone Cell participated
in the whole day meeting, and joined the group discussion
in the afternoon. UNEP resource person from Australia, as
well as UNDP colleagues also participated in this meeting.
The meeting briefed the participants of the MDI issue at
the global, regional and country level, and shared experience
of the other countries for the smooth transfer from CFC MDI
to non-CFC MDI. It also initiated the dialogue on policy intervention,
as well as required awarness campaign through public-private
partnership. The group discussions were very usful and some
good recommendation for the MDI control, CFCs import/use monitoring
and reporting under the EUN framework, and how to organize
the awareness/education programme. Mr. Hu along with UNDP
also visited Pakistan Phaciatetical Industry Association and
had meeting with its executive members concerning the phaseout
of CFC MDI and support would be required from the Association.
The assoation also raised issue how to help the one company
who is not qualified to transfer its production smoothly.
Before the meeting, Mr. Hu also met UNEP consultant for the
HPMP development in Pakistan and discussed the following issues:
The national ozone officer also participated some of the discussion.
- The data required from the refrigeration-servicing sector
for the HPMP preparation, i.e the refrigeration servicing
sector structure, as well as the installed HCFC based equipment
by type and year; therefore the aggregated HCFC consumption
in the servicing sector could be worked out.
- The survey approach in the refrigeration-servicing sector,
i.e. combination of the questionnaire for the servicing workshop,
end-users, importer/manufacturers, and sample survey in the
selected areas. The main point is that the survey approach
should be justifiable, convincible, and reliable.
- Illegal trade from the tribe area, A7 data discrepancy as
indicated by the Ozone Secretariat.
- Licensing system for the HCFC import control as part of
the HPMP preparation activities. The NOU indicated that HCFC
import has been monitored in the past few years, and it is
planned to put it under the licensing system from the 1 January
- Installation, servicing practices in Pakistan especially
for the room air conditioner;
- Technical options for the reduce of HCFC consumption in
the refrigeration servicing sectors, and how to consider climate
- Possible non-investment activities under HPMP. It is recognized
that at this stage, no any specific activities could be proposed,
but as a first step, the traditional activities under RMP
need to be analyzed to justify whether such activities should
be continued.
- The survey questionnaires: A set of sample questionnaires
was provided to the consultant for reference when finalizing
the same for Pakistan.
Ever Consultation of Ozone and Climate Focal Points for
Preparation of National HPMPs
Ozone and climate focal points from 10 African
countries met in Nairobi on 18 February 2009 to launch joint
preparation of Hydrochlorofluorocarbon Phase-out Management
Plans (HPMPs). These countries were: Burkina Faso, DR Congo,
Egypt, Madagascar, Mali, Malawi, Senegal, Togo, Uganda,
A one-day seminar was organised by UNEP OzonAction and the
World Bank to encourage such cooperation, get maximum climate
benefit from implementation of HPMPs, promote energy efficient
of appliances and equipment using alternatives to HCFCs
and avail supplementary finances to derive climate benefits.
The climate benefits are already evident from phase-out
of CFCs achieved so far. CFCs are also Greenhouse Gases
with their Global Warming Potential (GWP) of nearly 3000
to 7000 times more than CO2. The climate benefit of the
HCFC phase-out is also potentially huge. The GWP of HCFCs
is about 2000 times more than that of CO2. For example,
if avoided - consumption of HCFC under the new Montreal
Protocol phase-out schedule for developing countries is
replaced by low GWP alternatives, - and the total climate
benefits from this accelerated HCFC phase-out excluding
impacts from improved or inferior energy efficiency performance
could be as high as 30.5 Gt of CO2 equivalent.
"African countries are lagging behind in getting international
assistance in climate change. The unique opportunity to
collaborate on ozone protection and mitigation of climate
change for African countries would give rich dividends",
said Mr Mounkaila Goumandakaye, UNEP's Regional Director,
of the Regional Office of Africa. While closing the workshop,
Mr Salifou Sawadogo, Minister of Environment of Burkina
Faso, said "African countries should quickly develop
projects to benefit from carbon finances including Climate
Development Mechanism and voluntary carbon markets while
implementing HPMPs.
Such projects would provide economic as well as environmental
workshop included a presentation by Rajendra Shende, Head,OzonAction,
UNEP DTIE, and Steve Gorman, GEF Executive Coordinator and
Team Leader POPs/MP Operations, The World Bank, Yamar Guissé
of CAP ROA and Viraj Vithoontien of WB.
27 February 2009| UNEP
DTIE OzonAction
The scientists were recognized for their landmark paper:
"The Importance of the Montreal Protocol in Protecting
Climate," which was published in the Proceedings of the
National Academy of Sciences, 104(12):4814-4819 (2007). This
paper also earned the 2007 United Nations Environment Programme
Award for the "Best New Paper on a Montreal Protocol
Related Topic: Science Category."
In the paper, the research team synthesized stratospheric
ozone and climate science to show that past actions under
the Montreal Protocol had dramatically protected climate by
leading to reduced atmospheric amounts of ozone-depleting
substances, compounds which are also greenhouse gases that
warm climate. In addition, the team outlined what actions
could further protect climate. These findings inspired the
Parties to the Protocol in 2007 to accelerate the phaseout
of hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs), in 2008 to encourage
collection and destruction of unwanted ozone-depleting substances,
and in 2009 to consider a phase-down of the hydrofluorocarbons
(HFCs) that are greenhouse gas alternatives to ozone-depleting
Dr. Andersen is co-chair of the Montreal Protocol Technology
and Economic Assessment Panel and Drs. Velders, Daniel, Fahey
and McFarland are members of the Montreal Protocol Scientific
Assessment Panel.
"The science policy presented in the Velders paper energized
diplomats and citizens to take action on climate outside of
the Kyoto Protocol," said Dr. Mario Molina, Nobel Laureate
in Chemistry. "Parties to the Montreal Protocol have
taken another step in sustaining the Earth."
"The Montreal Protocol community is proud that policy
to protect the stratospheric ozone layer is based on the best
available scientific knowledge," said Marco Gonzalez,
Head of the Ozone Secretariat. "People of the Earth owe
these dedicated scientists a debt of gratitude for helping
to make the environment safe for future generations."
The handing over ceremony consisted of cutting the ribbon
and handing over the SolarChill key to the Minister; both
the key holder and the platter were made of the recycled
material by a women's group in Nairobi.
Hon. Prof. Peter Anyang Nyong'o and Hon. Salifou Sawadogo,
Minister of Environment, Burkina Faso along with many other
participants took great interest in the Partnership and
the product and spent time to get to know the product.
The SolarChill achieved the required temperature range of
2-8 degree Celsius within 24 hours after installation under
ambient temperature of about 27 degree Celsius. The ice
packs in the SolarChill were frozen within 72 hours. The
SolarChill exhibition attracted many delegates who for the
first time had the opportunity to view a climate and ozone
friendly vaccine cooler that is powered by solar energy.
The delegates' approach to the new technology was quite
good and majority of them requested for similar exhibitions
to their institutions worldwide.
The SolarChill vaccine refrigerator stores vaccines safely
by operating independently of electricity using solar power.
It ensures that vaccine is safely stored within the required
temperature range of 2°C to 8°C for up to three
days without direct sunlight. SolarChill meets the World
Health Organization's performance, quality, and safety (PQS)
specifications for a moderate climate (where average temperature
is 27°C)
SolarChill stores energy in "ice batteries" by
using solar power to cool water into ice using a direct
current compressor. The ice then cools the refrigerator
compartment by convection. This simplifies the process of
storing energy by eliminating the need for lead batteries,
which degrades the environment due to problems associated
with lead disposal adds weight, have a limited life, and
require periodic replacement and adds to the cost. The direct
current compressor eliminates the need for an inverter and
the surge at start up associated with a traditional A/C
compressor, thus allowing the SolarChill refrigerator to
operate when the incident solar radiation is minimal, such
as at night, early morning, late evening, or in overcast
conditions. The refrigerant and insulating foam in the walls
of the SolarChill are ozone and climate friendly (uses hydrocarbon).
The SolarChill system is thus super environment friendly
and is composed of a SolarChill refrigerator, Solar panels,
installation equipment for the solar panels, and wires from
the solar panels to the SolarChill. The estimated cost of
the SolarChill system is below USD$2,000.
The SolarChill partners are a consortium of UN agencies,
NGOs, research institutions and bilateral agencies with
a common intersecting interest in improving human health
and the environment in developing countries: United Nations
Environment Programme (UNEP), Greenpeace International,
United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), World Health Organisation
(WHO), GTZ Proklima, Programmes for Appropriate Technologies
in Health (PATH) and the Danish Technological Institute
SolarChill is a product of powerful partnership working
for people. The technology is in the public domain and parallel
to any qualified entrepreneur to promote 'Green Big New
related photos
on SolarChill
24 February 2009| UNEP DTIE OzonAction
Workshop on Preparation of
Ozone Regulations, Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar- February 09
From 4-5 February 2009, about 40 participants from Ministry
of Forestry, Office of the Attorney General, Ministry of Commerce
and other related ministries in Myanmar attended the Workshop
on Preparation of Ozone Regulations in Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar.
Mr. U Sann Lwin (NCEA), Dr. Husamuddin (SEPA-Sweden) and Mr.
Rajendra Shende (UNEP DTIE OzonAction) made the opening statements.
Presentations were made by UNEP on the Montreal Protocol and
Policy Options. NCEA presented Myanmar implementation of the
Montreal Protocol and draft licensing system. Following the
workshop, UNEP reviewed the draft regulation with the Myanmar
consultant in view of the comments made during the workshop.
An action plan was formulated by NCEA with input from the
workshop, UNEP and UNIDO.
The action plan includes the following activities:
a. Ratification of remaining amendments of the Montreal Protocol
b. Establish ODS regulation
c. Expedite the Implementation of Institutional Strengthening
project (Phase I)
d. Customs Train-the-Trainers
e. Organization of Sub-regional Ozone Day
f. Request for preparation of HPMP
g. Participation in informal Prior Informed Consent
Myanmar Promises a Change: First Ever High Level
Meeting on Montreal Protocol
5 February 2009, Nay Pyi Taw- Dr Husamuddin Ahmadzai,
Senior Dr Husamuddin Ahmadzai, Senior Adviser, Swedish Environmental
Protection Agency and Chairman of Executive Committee of
the Multilateral Fund of the Montreal Protocol, along with
UNEP and UNIDO representatives, visited Myanmar to encourage
continued commitment towards compliance and to alert on
risk of non-compliance in future, and to advise the Minister
of Forestry to accelerate the implementation of the Montreal
Protocol. Sweden has financially and technically supported
regional network of National Ozone Units in South East Asia
and Pacific for the last 16 years. Myanmar is one of the
members of the network. Mr. Ahmadzai met with Brigadier
General Thein Aung, Minister of Forestry and Director General
Sann Lwin, Secretary, National Commission for Environmental
Affairs (NCEA) in Nay Pyi Taw, the new capital of Union
of Myanmar, situated about 300 km from Yangon.
The meeting took place in the Ministry of Forestry. Dr Ahmadzai
was accompanied by Mr. Rajendra Shende, Head of OzonAction,
Mr. Sidi Menad Si Ahmed, Director MEA Branch, UNIDO as well
as Mr. Thanavat Junchaya and Ms Lud Coppens from CAP team
of OzonAction.
Brig-Gen Thein Aung promised to take early steps to set
up a licensing system and ratify the remaining amendments
of the Montreal Protocol (Copenhagen, Beijing and Montreal).
He agreed to take steps to fast develop HPMP (HCFC phase-out
management plan and accepted UNEP's suggestions to hold
a sub-regional celebration on International Day for the
preservation of the Ozone Layer on 16 September 2009. High-level
delegations from India, China, Bangladesh, Lao and Thailand
will be invited by the Minister along with Implementing
Agencies. On 4 February 2009, a one-day workshop on policy
and regulations was held in the Forest Research Institute
in which more than 40 participants from various ministries
took part. Dr San Win, the Director of NCEA facilitated
the workshop in which detailed draft regulations were presented
and discussed. The first ever-high level meeting in Union
of Myanmar had a positive impact on expediting the implementation
of key priority policies.
During the meeting with Brig-Gen Thein Aung, Dr Ahmadzai
announced the offer of Sweden Government to train about
10 government representatives from Myanmar on environmental
governance, to be fully funded by the government of Sweden,
outside the Multilateral Fund. "Such training would
strengthen Myanmar's commitment towards compliance with
the Montreal Protocol and also getting climate benefits"
said Dr Ahmadzai.
10 February 2009 |
UNEP DTIE OzonAction
related photos
issues : the focus of International Customs Day celebrations
and the Environment: Protecting our Natural Heritage
was the theme for 26th January 2009 International Customs
Day. The day was marked by celebrations organised at the World
Customs Organization (WCO) HQ in Brussels, Belgium, as well
as those organised by customs administrations around the world.
The highlights of the Brussels event included speeches by
the WCO Secretary General Mr Kunio Mikuryia, and other distinguished
guests, an exhibition by Belgium Customs of seizures of endangered
species, a demonstration by German Customs of the use of sniffer
dogs in identifying smuggling of such items.
The event highlighted
the growing problem of environmental crime and illegal trade
in environmentally sensitive items and recognised the important
role that customs officers play in the worldwide effort to
combat this issue. Mr Mikuryia outlined the measures developed
by the WCO to ensure that cross-border movement of environmentally
sensitive goods complies with the relevant international agreements,
and facilitation of communication between customs authorities
and other competent authorities to enforce trade controls.
Some specific examples of cooperation were described, including
a number of joint WCO- United Nations Environment Programme
(UNEP) activities.
UNEP DTIE OzonAction
used the occasion to launch the second edition of the Training
Manual for Customs Officers: Saving the Ozone Layer - Phasing
out Ozone Depleting Substances in Developing Countries
which it prepared to assist customs authorities in developing
countries to ensure compliance with the Montreal Protocol.
Please see information note. A copy of this manual and the
recently completed Green Customs Guide to Multilateral Environmental
Agreements was presented to Mr Mikuryia by Rajendra Shende
of UNEP DTIE.
address by Kunio Mikuriya, WCO Secretary General
26 January 2009
| UNEP DTIE OzonAction
Ozone and Pollution Monitoring Ground Station for West Asia
- Qatar
to Also Partner with UN Environment on Research Centre for
Ozone and Climate-Friendly Technologies
An advanced cutting-edge monitoring station, able
to gather crucial data on pollution linked with damage to
the Earth's ozone layer is to be established in the Gulf state
of Qatar it was announced today. Also announced were plans
to establish a global centre of excellence for research and
development of ozone and climate friendly technology, equipment
and appliances.
19 November 2008 | UNEP
protection, Climate change and Energy efficiency: Montreal
The second special
international issue of the magazine "Industria &
Formazione" featuring articles written by internationally-renown
experts in industry, government, and research institutes.
This issue focuses on alternatives to HCFCs, including both
natural and fluorinated refrigerants. This magazine, which
was launched at the 20th Meeting of the Parties in Doha, was
produced by the Centro Studi Galileo in cooperation with UNEP's
OzonAction Programme, the International Institute of Refrigeration,
and the Associazione dei Tecnici del Freddo, under the auspices
of the Italian Ministry of the Environment.
18 November 2008 | UNEP
DTIE OzonAction
UNEP DTIE 's OzonAction
launches Montreal Protocol Who's Who
At the opening of
the 20th Meeting of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol,
Doha, Qatar, UNEP DTIE 's OzonAction unveiled The Montreal
Protocol Whos Who a new web portal intended
to honor the visionaries, innovators and implementers who
are making the Montreal Protocol a global environmental success
MP Who's Who
16 November 2008
| UNEP DTIE OzonAction
to be in 'Short Supply' at International Ozone Gathering
Delegates in Doha,
Qatar, attending the 20th Meeting of the Parties to the Montreal
Protocol and the 8th Conference of the Parties to the Vienna
Convention on the protection of the ozone layer, are being
issued with laptops and given lessons on how to minimize paper
in terms of documents, reports and publications.
16 November 2008
HCFC Phase out: Convenient Opportunity
to Safeguard the Ozone Layer and Climate
Special Issue dedicated
to HCFCs published by UNEP DTIE OzonAction Programme and financially
supported by the Montreal Protocol Multilateral Fund.
October 2008 |
UNEP DTIE OzonAction
Education Pack for Secondary Schools
- This Education Pack (Teacher's Book and Student's Book)
was developed by UNEP OzonAction Programme under the Multilateral
Fund for the Implementation of the Montreal Protocol with
partners UNESCO, WHO and UNICEF. The kit aims at raising awareness
and encouraging the active participation of young people in
the debate on ozone depletion.
the Related Press release ...
16 September 2008 | UNEP
in limiting ozone-depleting substances is also helping to
mitigate climate change
Montreal Protocol has resulted in the phasing out of over
96 per cent of all ozone-depleting substances (ODSs). This
quantitative success in the protection of the ozone layer
has also achieved important climate benefits because many
ozone depleting substances controlled under the Protocol are
also potent greenhouse gases. It is estimated that, without
the worldwide effort to protect the ozone layer, the greenhouse
effect of global ODS emissions would have equalled carbon
dioxide emissions, currently the greenhouse gas contributing
most significantly to climate change.
In September 2007, the 20th anniversary of the Montreal Protocol,
governments acknowledged the dual benefit to both ozone protection
and climate change by agreeing to advance by up to 10 years
the final phaseout date for hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs),
currently the most widely used ozone-depleting substance.
They also agreed to provide sufficient and stable funding
to developing countries to achieve the accelerated phase out....
Quote from the UN
Development Goals Report 2008
(see pages 3, 4 and 37)
September 2008 | United
would like to convey to you an important message regarding
the 'Green Olympics' held in Beijing.
As part of UNEP's over-arching collaboration
with Beijing Organizing Committee for the Games of the XXIX
Olympiad (BOCOG), the OzonAction Programme of DTIE assisted
BOCOG to ensure "ozone-friendly Olympics", in consultation
with Sports and Environmental Programme of DCPI.
This assistance has produced extraordinary results.
Assistance provided until now:
- Providing Ozone- and climate-friendly procurement guidelines
- Advice on alternatives to CFCs, Halons and HCFCs
- Suggestion on Ozone- and climate-friendly transportation
- Guidance on monitoring of energy use of ODS-free equipment
- Developing UNEP's existing partnership on 'Refrigerants
Naturally' with multinationals like Coca-Cola and McDonalds.
The above activities were implemented by BOCOG with great
care and enthusiasm. There was regular interaction and monitoring
with UNEP OzonAction through review meetings. The Regional
Office of Asia and the Pacific and its Compliance Assistance
Programme (CAP) team also engaged in these consultations.
Results achieved:
- All Beijing Olympics facilities such as the sports stadiums,
athletics village and facility offices of BOCOG are fully
"ozone-friendly", i.e. ozone depleting substances
such as CFCs, and halons are not utilized. As you know, for
developing countries like China, the phase-out date for CFCs
and Halons is 1st January 2010.
- BOCOG also succeeded in avoiding the use of HCFCs in air
conditioning facilities. This achievement is extremely noteworthy
because the phase-out of HCFCs in developing countries is
targeted under the Montreal Protocol in 2030.
This means that BOCOG has demonstrated
the successful phase-out of CFCs one and a half years in advance
and HCFC phase-out 22 years in advance.
In brief, the collaboration between UNEP and BOCOG in making
the Beijing Olympics ozone-friendly has produced extraordinary
results. For the first time in the history of modern Olympics
the use of HCFCs was avoided.
Click on the following to view:
of BOCOG to outreach the ozone-friendly nature of Beijing
Shende reviewing the ' ozone friendly' facility that included
solar air conditioning and air conditioning without the refrigerants.
2 September 2008| UNEP
Montreal Protocol in the Declaration of Leaders Meeting of
Major Economies on Energy Security and Climate Change, Hokkaido
Toyako Summit, 9 July 2008
The meeting, held
alongside the G8 Summit, was part of a process initiated by
the US Government in 2007. In Japan, the leaders of the G8
countries plus leaders from Australia, Brazil, China, India,
Indonesia, the Republic of Korea, Mexico, South Africa and
the EU agreed on a political declaration of major economies,
which focused on climate change and energy issues... and declared:
10. To enable the full, effective, and sustained implementation
of the Convention between now and 2012, we will: Continue
to promote actions under the Montreal Protocol on Substances
That Deplete the Ozone Layer for the benefit of the global
climate system; " ...
9 July 2008| MoFA, Secretariat
for the G8 Summit, Japan
Zayed Award: Winners Announced (4th Cycle 2005-2007)
9 June 2008|
Zayed International Prize for the Environment Foundation,
H.H. Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy
Ruler of Dubai presented the world's most prestigious environment
award, the Zayed International Prize for the Environment carrying
a total prize money of US$ 1 million in Dubai yesterday [9
June 2008]
Among the 4th Cycle 2005-2007 winners: Prof. V. Ramanathan
is among the most distinguished climatologists in the world.
He identified the famous chlorofluorocarbons, stratospheric
ozone and other pollutants as significant factors in the anthropogenic
greenhouse effect (manmade factors leading to global warming).
He also demonstrated the positive amplifying effect of water
vapor absorption on global warming, the global cooling effects
of clouds on climate. More recently, he made significant contributions
to the discovery of the widespread Atmospheric Brown Clouds
(ABC) phenomenon. He showed that soot in the clouds led to
a reduction in the solar radiation at the ocean surface, heating
of the atmosphere and regional climate changed in South Asia.
He is a member of the US National Academy of Sciences, the
American Philosophical Society, The Academy of Sciences for
Developing Countries (TWAS), and the Pontifical Academy of
Sciences. For his outstanding contribution to the environment,
he received the Rosby Award and the Volvo Prize. The Jury
decided that their achievements were worth the Zayed Prize.
The Zayed International
Prize for the Environment Foundation is one of the major contributions
of the United Arab Emirates and probably one of the most important
contributions towards achieving environmental sustainability
at the regional and global levels. This Foundation has dedicated
substantial financial and moral rewards for pioneering and
outstanding achievements in favor of environmental integrity
and sustainable development. In addition, it organizes and
hosts very important local, regional and international activities
and events that raise environmental awareness, encourage public
participation and provide scientific mitigations and prevention
mechanisms for Environmental problems.
To recognize and promote major pioneering contributions in
the field of environment and sustainable development, in accordance
with the development philosophy and vision of the late Sheikh
Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, and in support of global initiatives
such as the Agenda 21, the Millennium Development Goals, and
the Johannesburg Plan of Implementation for Sustainable Development.
The Zayed International Prize for the Environment, being open
to both individuals and organizations, is presented every
two years in three categories:The first prize is worth US$
500,000, the second US$ 300,000 and the third worth US$ 200,000.
Each winner of the Zayed Prize in any category receives a
Zayed Prize Trophy and a Zayed Prize Diploma, in addition
to the financial award.
Learn more at: http://www.zayedprize.org.ae/zayedprize/index.aspx
US EPA 2008 Stratospheric Ozone Protection Awards.
Note from OzonAction
Editors: The story that follows is the official press
release from the U.S. EPA announcing 2008 winners of the Stratospheric
Ozone and Climate Protection Awards. You may be amazed to
see how the awards recognize the importance of the Montreal
Protocol in protecting climate and how many members of our
ozone community earned climate protection awards. Marco Gonzalez
earned the Climate Protection Award for helping make the Montreal
Protocol a Climate Protection Treaty. For accelerating the
HCFC phaseout with obligations for climate protection, Durwood
Zaelke and Scott Stone earned both Ozone and Climate Awards;
Romina Picolotti earned a Climate Protection Award; and Husamuddin
Ahmadzai, Maas Goote, Ana Maria Kleymeyer, and Sateeaved Seebaluck,
Wurui Wen, and Mengheng Zhang earned Stratospheric Protection
Awards. Dr. David Fahey earned one Ozone Award as an individual
and another as a member of the science team that also included
winners Drs. Stephen O. Andersen, John S. Daniel, Mack McFarland,
and Guus J.M. Velders. IPCC's Chairman Dr. Rajendra Pachauri
earned a Climate Award for Lifetime Achievement in Energy
Efficiency and Climate Protection.
OzonAction is particularly proud
of UNEP winners James Curlin, and Marco Gonzalez; National
Ozone Officers Dr. Arumugam Duraisamy, Mazen Hussein, and
Dr. W.L. Sumathipala and the National Ozone Units from Bahrain,
Fiji, and Kuwait.
= = = = = ==
Washington, D.C. - May 19, 2008 - EPA today honored 39 individuals,
organizations and companies from around the world for their
outstanding efforts to protect the Earth's climate and stratospheric
ozone layer. The award recipients have demonstrated ingenuity
and leadership by reducing greenhouse gas emissions, negotiating
international agreements to protect the ozone layer and climate,
and spreading awareness about the importance of these issues.
"Efforts to help restore the
ozone layer and fight climate change will benefit the planet
for generations to come," said Bob Meyers, principal
deputy assistant administrator for EPA's Office of Air &
Radiation. "We commend the 2008 Climate and Ozone Layer
Protection Award winners for their work to protect our environment."
The 2008 Climate Protection Award
winners have contributed greatly to scientific understanding
of climate change and its impacts on human health and the
environment. They have also generated on-site wind and solar
power, increased energy efficiency, introduced new technologies
to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from mining, and slashed
the use of potent greenhouse gases.
The 2008 Stratospheric Ozone Layer
Protection Award winners have strengthened the international
Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer.
The Protocol now calls for a faster phase-out of ozone depleting
substances called HCFCs, which are also potent greenhouse
gases. The winners are also responsible for the eliminating
ozone-depleting substances in medical, agricultural, aviation,
and shipping applications where alternatives are difficult
to implement.
Joint Main Meeting of the Ozone Officers Networks for English-speaking
Africa and West Asia
will be held in Cairo, Egypt from 26-29 May 2008. Participants
will include Ozone Officers from English-speaking Africa and
West Asia, implementing agencies, balateral partners and government
officials from Egypt.
26 Mayl 2008|
UNEP Paris
Ozone and Zoe Feature at 2008 Volvo Adventure Finals.
Ozone with his partner Zoe visited this year's Volvo Adventure
Finals in their endeavour to incite young people to outreach
ozone layer protection. Since 2001, Volvo has organised environmental
project competitions for young people aged between 13 and
16-years-old. This year saw 380 project entries from 50 countries.
The first prize of US$10,000 was won by the students of the
'Green Sail' team whose campaign project was to rescue and
revive an endangered and environmentally-sensitive urban park
in the Russian city of Nizhny Novgorod. The second prize went
to the 'Green Action' team from the Former Yugoslav Republic
of Macedonia - their project was to save the nation's endangered
population of water buffalo and the third prize went to the
Junior Ecoguards of Comoros for their project in saving the
hawksbill turtle from extinction.
Ozzy Ozone and Zoe organised a mini-Montreal Protocol session
in which they asked the young environmentalists to outreach
ozone layer and sun-safe messages in their home countries
namely: Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Comoros, Ecuador,
Egypt, FYR Macedonia, Hungary, India, Russia, South Africa,
Turkey and the United States. The Russian and Turkish teams
were the winners of the Ozzy
Ozone game.
A new education kit 'High Sky: Ozone Layer Education for Secondary
Schools' will be launched later this year; all projects in
relation to this kit will automatically participate at next
year's Volvo Adventure Finals.
16 Mayl 2008| UNEP Paris
National Ozone Unit celebrates Earth Day. Along with the Department
of the Environment held a booth with the purpose of educating
and sensitizing students and the general public on issues
relating to the ozone layer protection and the environment.
Many public awareness materials were displayed and distributed
to students from across the country. The Ozzy ozone snake
and ladder game and video were the main attractions to observers.
23 April 2008| Belize NOU
Training and Regional Coorperation Workshop for Combating
Illegal Trade in Ozone Depleting Substances in South Asia,
29-31 March 2008, Kabul, Afghanistan
29 March 2008| UNEP
ROAP-Afghanistan NOU
the Clock: Asia Pacific Make Strides in Early Phase Out of
Ozone-Depleting Chemicals
19 March 2008| UNEP
to Ozone-Friendly Inhalers: Industry and Governments Join
Hands to Ensure Smooth Transition for Asthma and Chronic Respiratory
Disease Patients
15 March 2008| UNEP
Europe and Central Asia (ECA) Network Meeting in Tirana, Albania,
25-28 March 2008
19th MOP HCFC Adjustments to Enter into Force May 2008
Ozone Secretariat
The United Nations Secretary-General in his capacity
as depositary of the Montreal Protocol on Substances that
Deplete the Ozone Layer has advised all Parties to the Protocol
that the adjustments to the Montreal Protocol adopted at the
Nineteenth Meeting of the Parties held in Montreal from 17
to 21 September 2007, will enter into force and become binding
to all Parties on 14 May 2008, pursuant to article 2 (9) of
the Protocol. The adjustments relate to Decision XIX/6 of
the Parties on accelerated phase out of Annex C, Group I,
controlled substances (hydrochlorofluorocarbons).
HCFC Help Centre Launched
19 November 2007 |
In conjunction witH
an agreement signed between UNEP and the Government of Sweden
to provide developing countries with information about HCFC
alternatives , today OzonAction launched
a new web-based HCFC
Help Centre that provides links to information from
international organisations, government, industry and NGOs
about technologies and policies related to these chemicals.
Information note on UNEP
web site and Swedish
EPA web site
Partners to the Green Customs Initiative receive prestigious
20th Anniversary Ozone Protection Award
20 September 2007|
The Green Customs Initiative
was today honoured with the prestigious Ozone Protection Award
in the category of 'partnerships' on the occasion of the 20th
Anniversary of the signing of the Montreal Protocol on Substances
that Deplete the Ozone Layer.
20th Anniversary of the Montreal Protocol - Scientific Symposium:
Ozone Depletion: from its discovery to Envisat and Aura
Athens, Greece, September
23-26, 2007
At the invitation of UNEP, WMO,
EESC, IO3C, the Academy of Athens, the BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH
FOUNDATION, ACADEMY OF ATHENS and the National Observatory
of Athens, a core group of speakers who have played an important
role in the success of the Montreal Protocol from its very
beginning, will gather together in Athens, between 23-26 September
2007, to present state of the art scientific results and discuss
the success of the implementation of the Montreal Protocol.
Development Goals Report 2007
July 2007
| UN press release
to a 2015 deadline, there has been clear progress towards
implementing the Millennium Development Goals. But their overall
success is still far from assured, a progress report by the
United Nations has found, and will depend in large part on
whether developed countries make good on their aid commitments...
The Montreal Protocol and global efforts to eliminate ozone
depleting substances are highlighted as contributing to the
implementation of Goal 7: Ensure environmental sustainability.
See pages 24-25.
United Nations Partner on Emission Reduction
11 June 2007 | ASHRAE-UNEP
As the 20th anniversary of the signing of the Montreal
Protocol approaches, two international organizations focused
the environment have joined forces to reduce emissions and
encourage energy-efficient refrigeration and air conditioning
systems and building designs....
Summit mentions Montreal Protocol and phase out of HCFCs
8 June 2007
59. We will also endeavour
under the Montreal Protocol to ensure the recovery of the
ozone layer by accelerating the phase-out of HCFCs in a way
that supports energy efficiencyand climate change objectives.
In working together toward our shared goal ofspeeding ozone
recovery, we recognize that the Clean Development Mechanism
impactsemissions of ozone-depleting substances. We will continue
to exercise leadershipin the development of the Global Earth
Observation System of Systems (GEOSS).60. We will report on
the progress achieved in the areas mentioned above at the
G8Summit in 2008.
and Zoe Ozone invite the World's Children to Take Action
Ozone, Climate and Pollutants - Animated cartoon book "Ozzy
Goes Polar" is launched on World environment day
5 June 2007
"Ozzy Goes Polar"
focuses on the effects that ozone depletion, climate change
and Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) are having on polar
ecosystems and communities and the ensuing consequences
around the world...
Train-the-Trainers in Good
Practices in Refrigeration
19 May 2007 |
Kabul, Afghanistan-The first Train-the Trainers in Good Practices
in Refrigeration was jointly organized by National Ozone Unit-National
Environmental Protection Agency (NOU-NEPA), United Nations
Environment Programme, Division of Technology, Industry and
Economics-Compliance Assistance Programme- Regional Office
for Asia and the Pacific (UNEP DTIE-CAP-ROAP) and Deutsche
Gesellschaft fur Technische (GTZ). Under the South-south cooperation,
a Farsi speaking refrigeration expert from Iran assisted in
the translation and facilitation of the training...
Wins Prestigious US EPA Stratospheric Ozone Protection Award
for the Second Time- Award Spotlights Montreal Protocol Achievements
for Sound Chemical Management in Asia Pacific
3 May 2007 | UNEP
Meeting Summary of Decisions of the 51st Meeting of the Executive
Committee of the Multilateral Fund for the Implementation
of the Montreal Protocol
28 April 2007
| Multilateral Fund Secretariat
The 51st Meeting of the
Executive Committee, (19 - 23 March 2007, Montreal, Canada),
attended by the representatives of the 14 Executive Committee
member Parties and by participants co-opted from 21 other
countries. The Executive Committee approved investment projects
and work programme activities with a value of almost US $50.7
million, plus US $3.9 million in support costs for implementing
agencies, and took a total of 39 decisions.
Meeting Summary of Decisions of the 51st Meeting of the Executive
Committee of the Multilateral Fund for the Implementation
of the Montreal Protocol
23 March 2007
| Multilateral Fund Secretariat
The 51st Meeting of the
Executive Committee, which took place in Montreal from 19
to 23 March 2007, was attended by the representatives of the
14 Executive Committee member Parties and by participants
co-opted from 21 other countries (see attached list). Mr.
Philippe Chemouny of Canada presided over his first meeting
as Chair of the Executive Committee. The President and Vice-President
of the Implementation Committee of the Montreal Protocol,
three representatives of the Ozone Secretariat, representatives
of the implementing agencies and representatives of the Alliance
for Responsible Atmospheric Policy and Environmental Investigation
Agency (EIA) also attended the meeting.
The Executive Committee followed
its standard programme of work for the first meeting of the
year which included the consideration of business plans, evaluation
reports and the implementing agencies work programmes.
Business planning, the process of allocating financial resources
to Article 5 countries according to their compliance needs,
was especially important since the 2010 targets for CFC phase-out
were only three years away. A number of other issues were
addressed including the progress and finalisation of contracting
a consultant for the study on the treatment of unwanted ozone
depleting substances (ODS) and the terms of reference for
a study on administrative costs of implementing agencies beyond
At the 51st Meeting, the Executive
Committee approved investment projects and work programme
activities with a value of almost US $50.7 million, plus US
$3.9 million in support costs for implementing agencies, and
took a total of 39 decisions. Click
here, to read/download the most significant decisions and
discussions >>>
For further information, please
Julia Anne Dearing, Information
Management Officer
Secretariat of the Multilateral Fund for the Implementation
of the Montreal Protocol
1800 McGill College, 27th floor
Montreal, QC, Canada H3A 3J6
Phone: +1-514 282-1122
Fax: +1 514 282-0068
Email: firstname.lastname@example.com
Website: www.multilateralfund.org
Multilateral Fund Eyes the 2010 Target
23 March 2007
| Multilateral Fund Secretariat
The Executive Committee
of the Multilateral Fund for the Implementation of the Montreal
Protocol met last week to approve US $54.6 million for 32
developing countries to eliminate over 20,000 ODP of ozone
depleting substances (ODS). Projects approved by the Executive
Committee included US $24 million for China to dismantle CFC
production plants thus ending production of CFCs more than
two years ahead of the 2010 deadline for CFC elimination set
by the Montreal Protocol. Smaller projects in Bolivia, the
Seychelles, Paraguay and Zimbabwe received funding for their
plans to phase-out the use of CFCs in their refrigeration
servicing sectors, an area where success is directly related
to the achievement of the 2010 deadline.
In the context of its continuous financial planning process,
the Executive Committee established a number of specific priorities
for unallocated funds in its triennial budget including among
others, support for any new Parties to the Montreal Protocol
and any extra support needed for national ozone units in developing
countries. Another priority is accelerating the elimination
of CFC production and the World Bank will investigate the
possibilities of advanced CFC phase-out in countries like
Argentina and India. If the remaining CFC producer countries
were to agree to an accelerated plan, all CFC production in
developing countries could be completely eliminated well ahead
of the 2010 deadline. Cessation of CFC production is key to
reducing the market availability and increasing price of CFCs.
This will encourage users to switch to substitutes that do
not harm the ozone layer. Currently such substitutes are more
costly than CFCs.
Background information
The ozone layer which absorbs ultraviolet
radiation harmful to living organisms and human health, is
in danger from several chemicals currently used in industry
and agriculture such as chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), halons,
carbon tetrachloride, methyl chloroform and methyl bromide.
The Multilateral Fund for the Implementation
of the Montreal Protocol began its operation in 1991. The
main objective of the Multilateral Fund is to assist developing
country parties to the Montreal Protocol whose annual per
capita consumption and production of ozone-depleting substances
is less than 0.3 kg to comply with the control measures of
the Protocol. These countries are referred to as Article 5
The Fund is managed by an Executive
Committee chaired in 2007 by Mr. Philippe Chemouny of Canada.
The Committee is assisted by the Fund Secretariat which is
based in Montreal. Activities are implemented by four international
agencies (UNDP, UNEP, UNIDO, World Bank) and a number of bilateral
implementing agencies of donor countries. Responsibility for
overseeing the operation of the Fund rests with the Executive
Committee comprising seven members each from Article 5 countries
(China, Guinea, Jordan, Mexico, Sudan, Saint Lucia and Uruguay
in 2007) and non-Article 5 countries (Belgium, Canada, Czech
Republic, Italy, Japan, Sweden and the USA in 2007). Since
1991, the Multilateral Fund has approved activities including
industrial conversion, technical assistance, training and
capacity building worth over US $2 billion.
For further information, please contact:
Julia Anne Dearing
Information Management Officer
Secretariat of the Multilateral Fund for the Implementation
of the Montreal Protocol
1800 McGill College, 27th floor
Montreal, QC, Canada H3A 3J6
Phone: +1-514 282-1122
Fax: +1 514 282-0068
Email: firstname.lastname@example.com
Website: www.multilateralfund.org
by Achim Steiner, UN Under-Secretary General and UN Environment
Programme Executive Director, on the Publication of the Scientific
Paper The Importance of the Montreal Protocol in Protecting
5 March 2007
The Importance of the Montreal Protocol in Protecting
Climate Change
5 March 2007- I welcome today's publication of research underlining
the important contribution to combating climate change made
by the parallel push to reduce chemicals that damage the ozone
layerthe Earths protective shield.
The climate dimension of the Montreal Protocol is a story
that is not widely known,
but one that deserves more consideration by the communities
involved in ozone
and climate protection.
I believe the study, in the Proceedings of the National Academy
of Sciences,
underscores the simple fact that well-devised action to address
one area of
environmental concern can have multiple environmental benefits
across numerous
It also highlights that calculating the costs of environmental
action, based on narrow
economic criteria, often fails to capture the wider economic
opportunities and
benefits that are likely to emerge.
The scientists from the Netherlands and the United States
have for the first time in
detail calculated the contribution to climate protection from
the phasing out and
reduction of chemicals like chloroflurocarbons (CFCs).
The chemicals, once commonplace in products like hair sprays
and fridges, deplete
the thin layer of ozone gas that filters out damaging levels
of ultra violet light.
CFCs, along with a wide range of other ozone depleting substances,
are being
successfully phased out, reduced and controlled under the
1987 Montreal Protocol
established under the auspices of UNEP. A Multilateral Fund
has been created to
help developing countries meet their compliance commitments
with this treaty.
The researchers point out that repair of the ozone layer is
not the only benefit
emerging from the Montreal treaty.
They calculate that, over the period 1990 to 2010, the level
of reductions will also
equate in climate terms to the equivalent of eight Gigatonnes
of carbon dioxide a
In comparison the Kyoto Protocolthe climate emissions reductions
treaty and widely
understood as a first step towards even bigger emission reductions
scheduled to deliver cuts in greenhouse gases equivalent to
two Gigatonnes
annually over the same period.
Guus Velders of MNP, the Netherlands Environmental Assessment
Agency, and
colleagues believe the ozone layer protection treaty can contribute
even more to
combating climate change.
Some of the chemicals, introduced as alternatives to CFCs,
contribute to climate
change themselves, while others contribute through chemical
byproducts during the
the production process. Such chemicals include HCFCs and HFCs.
The researchers suggest that a combination of accelerated
phase-out, the
introduction of further alternatives with low greenhouse gas
characteristics and
relatively small changes in industrial practises, could deliver
further climate benefits
equivalent to somewhere over one Gigatones of carbon dioxide.
When this climate dimension is taken into consideration, the
Montreal Protocol -
which is already considered to be a highly-effective treaty
that is achieving its
objective is even more cost-effective because of this collateral
climate benefit. This
is a particularly important message coming as it does during
2007, a year that
marks both the 20th Anniversary of the signing of the Montreal
Protocol and the
10th Anniversary of the signing of the Kyoto Protocol.
I believe these kinds of findings should spur governments,
business, civil society
and individuals to look at the wider impacts of their decisions
including the costs
and the benefits.
Take health hazardous heavy metals like mercury for example.
Research indicates
that the biggest single contributor to new sources of mercury
in the global
environment and the food chain comes from the increased burning
of coal.
There is also some evidence that rising temperatures in freshwaters
like lakes is
causing old mercury, locked away in sediments, to be mobilized
and released back
into the environment.
Thus reducing emissions from coal-fired power stations can
not only contribute to
combating climate change but also contribute directly and
indirectly to reducing the
serious threats from mercury pollution.
I know and am sure that there are many, many more example
of these virtuous
circles positive cost benefit case studiesthat have been brought
into sharp focus by
this new research on the climate benefits of combating damage
to the ozone layer.
Notes to Editors:
Web address of the paper The importance of the Montreal Protocol
in protecting the
climate, Guus J.M.Velders, Stephen O. Andersen, John S Daniel,
David W. Fahey,
Mack McFarland.
MEDIA CONTACT : Anneke Oosterhuis, Press Office (Netherlands
Assessment Agency), Bilthoven, the Netherlands; tel +31 30
274 3303,
email: firstname.lastname@example.com
Web address of Montreal Protocol http:firstname.lastname@example.com
For More Information Please Contact Nick Nuttall, UNEP Spokesperson,
Tel: +41 79 596 5737 or E-mail: firstname.lastname@example.com
The first
Regional Celebration of the 20th Anniversary of the Montreal
Ashgabat, Turkmenistan
28 February 2007- The first regional celebration
of the 20th Anniversary of the Montreal Protocol took place
in the capital of Turkmenistan on 26 February.The year 2007
marks the 20th anniversary of the signing of the Montreal
Protocol, which is widely recognized as the most successful
international environmental agreement to date. Year-long celebrations
are being planned by diverse organizations and countries to
commemorate this environmental milestone. UNEP DTIE's OzonAction
Branch is working in collaboration with the National Ozone
Units and other partners to promote public awareness and media
activities, particularly through the Regional Networks of
Ozone Officers organized by the Branch's Compliance Assistance
Programme (CAP).
Under OzonAction's initiative, every Regional Network meeting
in 2007 will begin with a special public function to highlight
the progress of the Protocol as well as remaining challenges.
The first day of the meeting was dedicated to the ceremony
in Ashgabat, the first in this series of 20th Anniversary
Network functions, took place just prior to the start of the
meeting of the Regional Network for Europe and Central Asia.
The event consisted of a children's orchestra, a huge balloon
arrangement depicting ozone molecule, participation by the
Minister of Nature Protection of Turkmenistan, the UN Resident
Representative in Turkmenistan, and representatives of UNDP,
UNEP, UNIDO, the Ozone Secretariat and Multilateral Fund Secretariat,
ministries of Turkmenistan, National Ozone Units of eleven
countries, and the Governments of Hungary and Czech Republic.
The event was followed by discussions on the future of the
Montreal Protocol, awareness raising activities planned in
2007 and a display of publications and videos.
Considering that Turkmenistan has recently returned to compliance,
the enthusiasm of local participants was very evident. The
region has demonstrated its commitment by phasing out of 82
% of the total consumption and 92% of the total production
of its ozone depleting substances. H.E. the Minister of Nature
Protection Mr. Makhtumkuli Akmuradov, who also chairs the
Interstate Commission of Sustainable Development of Central
Asian Countries, took a keen interest in the discussion regarding
the challenges ahead for the Montreal Protocol community.
H.E. Mr. Akmuradov committed that his country would ratify
further Montreal Protocol amendments.
The national television, newspapers, and radio stations were
extremely active in spreading the news about both the 20th
anniversary and the Network meeting. One national newspaper
carried a full-page special supplement. A series of television
interviews were telecast throughout the meeting. The President
of Turkmenistan personally enquired with the Minister about
the meeting and the celebrations.
In separate meeting with the UN Resident Representative and
the Minister of Nature Protection of Turkmenistan, UNEP, UNDP
and UNIDO discussed number of pilot ideas to deliver the assistance
to Turkmenistan as 'One UN'.
For further information, please contact:
Mr. Vladimir Verveda
Coordinator of National Ozone Unit
Ministry of Nature Protection of Turkmenistan,
15 Bitarap Turkmenistan Str. 2-nd build. Room 96 744000 Ashgabat
Tel: (993 12) 35 70 91
Fax: (993 12) 35 74 93
Email: email@example.com
statement to the 24th Session of the UNEP Governing Council
by Maria Nolan, Chief Officer of the Secretariat of the Multilateral
Fund for the Implementation of the Montreal Protocol,
7 February 2007
the statement >>>
2006 Antarctic ozone hole largest on record, governments launch
review of how to protect the ozone layer over the next decade
3 November
18th Meeting of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol
18 October
2006 | UNEP OzonAction
web site of this event organised by the Ozone Cell Ministry
of Environment & Forests, 30 October - 3 November, New
Delhi, India.. Meeting documents and other related information
are available on the Ozone
Secretariat's web site.
coverage is also available on the IISD
2007 Stratospheric Ozone Protection Awards
The Stratospheric Protection
Division of the
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) invites nominations
for the 2007 Stratospheric Ozone Protection Awards. This annual
awards program
was established in 1990 to recognize exceptional leadership,
personal dedication, and technical achievements in eliminating
ozone-depleting substances. Winners of the 2007 Award will
be eligible for the Best-of-the-Best award competition to
be conducted late 2007 Learn
Deadline 10 November 2006
developing countries receive funds to eliminate substances
that harm the ozone layer
A press release providing
information about the decisions taken at the most recent meeting
of the Executive Committee of the Multilateral Fund.
17 July 2006 |
Multilateral Fund Secretariat
Project Sky Hole Patching Goes into
Tackling Illegal Trade in Ozone-depleting Substances
and Dangerous WasteBangkok/Beijing,1 September 2006-
A project to curb illegal trade in ozone depleting substances
(ODS) and dangerous waste in the Asia Pacific region went
into operation today. Project Sky Hole Patching
is designed to monitor the movement of suspicious shipments
of ozone depleting chemicals and dangerous commodities across
several customs territories in the region. It involves customs
administrations and environment authorities, the World Customs
Organisations Regional Intelligence Liaison Office for
Asia and the Pacific (RILO A/P), United Nations Environment
Programme Regional Office for Asia and Pacific (UNEP ROAP),
the Compliance Assistance Programme (CAP) of UNEPs Division
of Technology, Industry and Economics, Basel Convention Regional
Centers and other key international organizations.
Moreover, it is estimated that some 300500 million
tons of hazardous waste are produced annually. As regulations
governing the safe and proper disposal of hazardous waste
tighten, increasing handling charges and decreasing safe disposal
capacity, much of the waste is suspected to be dumped illegally.
During the 11th World Customs Organization Asia Pacific Regional
Conference of Heads of Customs Administrations held in Beijing
on 3-6 April 2006, the meeting unanimously agreed to initiate
"Project Sky-Hole-Patching". A proposed plan of
action of the project was adopted during the 4th Joint Southeast
Asia and Pacific/South Asia Customs-ODS Officers Cooperation
Workshop held in Bangkok on May 17-20 2006.
The operation will be conducted in two phases with the first
six-month phase focussing on ODS. The second phase will include
hazardous waste. RILO A/P and UNEP ROAP CAP will facilitate
the operation for the region in consultation with involved
regional and international institutions dealing with ODS and
dangerous waste.
Ms. Satwant Kaur, UNEP Regional Information Officer, Tel:
+ (66 2) 288 2127; E-mail: firstname.lastname@example.com
Mr. Atul Bagai, Regional Network Coordinator, South Asia,
UNEP CAP, ROAP, Tel: 662 288 1662, Email: email@example.com
Pour Préserver la Couche d'Ozone :
Un atelier national sur les bonnes pratiques en matière
de réfrigération à Antananarivo
Sous les hospices du Ministère de l'Environnement,
des Eaux et Forêts (MINENVEF) de la république
de Madagascar et du Programme des Nations Unies pour l'Environnement
(PNUE), un atelier national pour la formation des techniciens
frigoristes sur les bonnes pratiques en réfrigération
s'est tenu à Antananarivo, Madagascar, du 30 Mars au
01 Avril 2006.
Les travaux de cet atelier ont été lancés
officiellement par Madame RAKOTOARISOA Jacqueline, Directeur
Général de l'Environnement, en présence
du représentant du Programme des Nations Unies pour
l'Environnement et d'autres personnalités du secteur
public et privé telles que Monsieur NGOLO Gilbert,
le Directeur Général de l'Institut National
de promotion formation d'Antananarivo et Monsieur ANDRIAMANA
TISOA de la Société malgache d'équipement
frigorifique représentant les importateurs de Madagascar.
Un effectif de 25 personnes, venant des grandes villes de
Madagascar, a pris part à l'atelier de formation. Tous
les participants avaient une expérience professionnelle
dans le domaine du froid.
Cette formation a élargie les capacités des
frigoristes à utiliser rationnellement et à
mieux gérer les SAO, ainsi que les installations et
les équipements qui les contiennent. Leur compétence
a été renforcée, ce qui constitue un
élément majeur dans la stratégie d'élimination
de ces gaz dans l'île de Madagascar.
La formation a été clôturée officiellement
par le Docteur Joelisoa RASIRARSON, Secrétaire Général
du Ministère de l'Environnement, des Eaux et Forêts.
Mr Yamar Guissé
Programme Officer (RMP Implementation)
United Nation Environment Programme,
Regional Office Africa (ROA)
Room X-239, Ext: 3909
P.O.Box 30552 Nairobi, KENYA
Tel : (254) 20 623909
Fax: (254) 20 623928 / 623165
Email: email@example.com
Mr Rajendra Shende, Head
UNEP DTIE OzonAction Branch,
Tour Mirabeau
39-43, quai Andre Citroen
75739 Paris Cedex 15
Tel: +33 1 44 37 14 59
Fax: +33 1 44 37 14 74
Email: firstname.lastname@example.com
UNEP DTIE OzonAction helped organize the delivery
of the ozone-friendly and pesticide-free roses from Kenya
to Dubai. The roses were distributed to ministers, high-level
officials and others attending the UNEP event in Dubai. One
of OzonActions objectives was to draw attention of the
global community that sustainable agriculture is possible
and now a reality.
UNEP DTIE OzonAction promotes environment-friendly
products and practices, particularly the phase-out of ozone
depleting substances and related toxic chemicals.
Mr. David M. Okioga
Coordinator, Kenya Ozone Office
National Environmental
Management Authority
PO Box 67839
Tel: (254 20) 51 2123
Fax: (254 20) 51 25 23
E-mail: email@example.com
The Government of Mauritania also took adventage
of the presence of UNEP to organise a half day training for
customs officers on the identification of ODS and ODS containers.
The Mauritania Refrigerants Management Plan
(RMP) was approved at the 41st Meeting of the Executive Committee
of the Multilateral Fund for the Implementation of the Montreal
Mr. Jeremy Bazye
Regional Network Coordinator
UNEP-Regional Office for Africa (ROA)
Room A-118
PO Box 30552
Nairobi, Kenya
Tel: 2542 624281
Fax: 2542 623165
Email: firstname.lastname@example.com
The Government of Afghanistan continues to provide high-level
political commitment to compliance with the Montreal Protocol.
This was evident in the participation of Mr. Bismillah Kamavi,
Director General, General Directorate of Customs of Afghanistan,
who opened the workshop and highlighted the role played by
customs officers in environmental security.
The workshop provided the participating front-line enforcement
officers with the skills necessary to monitor and control
the imports of ODS products and ODS-using equipment, as well
as issues on regional cooperation and Green Customs Initiative.
Mr. Dost Mohammed Amin, Deputy Minister of NEPA, Afghanistan
exchanged his views with delegates from UNEP, NACEN and Pakistan.
Mr.Asad Sakhi Farhad, Deputy Minister of Finance of Afghanistan
distributed the certificates upon completion of the workshop
to the participants in the closing ceremony and expressed
his appreciation to UNEP for organizing this workshop in Afghanistan.
The participants recommended that the draft licence system
and related regulation will be promulgated as soon as possible,
and ODS identifiers would be equipped in main customs check
points shortly. They highly appreciated this workshop and
expressed the desire for more workshops or seminars in the
near future to assist their capacity building and enforcement
Following up to commitments made during the Teheran Dialogue,
Iran provided a refrigerant identifier to Afghanistan as part
of their assistance to a new Party, and
Pakistan shared its experience in licence systems in this
workshop. Regional cooperation was emphasised in the workshop
and will be pursued further during a trilateral meeting between
Afghanistan, Pakistan and Iran being coordinated by UNEP in
the coming two months.
See also the Press
Release issued by UNEP.
Ms. Ludgarde Coppens
Policy and Enforcement Officer
UNEP ROAP - Compliance Assistance Programme
United Nations Building, Rajdamnern Ave.
Bangkok 10200, Thailand
Tel: +66 2 288 1679
Fax: +66 2 280 3829
Email: email@example.com
Prince Opens South Asia Ozone
Officers' Meet
Representatives from 13 member countries of the network and
the United States of America, Japan, Australia, Germany and
other Implementing Agencies of the Multilateral Fund of the
Montreal Protocol are taking part in the meeting organized
by Nepal Bureau of Standards and Metrology with support of
the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Regional Office
for Asia & Pacific/OzonAction Programme.
On the occasion, Their Royal Highnesses granted collective
audience to representatives of various international non-government
organizations and foreign guests.
Speaking at the inaugural function, Vice Chairman of the Council
of Ministers Bista said Nepal is concerned about the production,
maximum use and transfer of ozone layer depleting substances.
Mrs. Monique Barbut, Director of UNEP's Division of Technology,
Industry and Economics said as per the commitments made at
the global level the role played by Nepal in stopping the
use of harmful chemicals is laudable.
Dr Sita Ram Joshi
Chief Metrologist, Chief NOU
Nepal Bureau of Standards & Metrology
Ministry of Industry
P O Box 985
Balaju, Kathmandu
Tel: (9771)356 672/350 818/533 179 (R)
Fax: (9771) 350 689/533 179
Email: firstname.lastname@example.com
OR firstname.lastname@example.com
Mr. Atul Bagai,
Regional Coordinator (Networking),
South Asia,
Compliance Assistance Programme,
Regional Office of Asia and Pacific, UNEP
Tel: +66 2 288 1662
Email email@example.com
Mirian Vega
Regional Officer (Networking)
UNEP Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean
Boulevard de los Virreyes 155
Lomas de Virreyes
CP 11000 México D.F
Tel. +52 55 52 02 48 41 Ext: 510
Fax. +52 55 52 02 09 50
Sri Lanka also proposed to share information on the
development of its database to facilitate information
exchange on import quotas, list of importers, licensing
systems and their framework of a national ozone network.
On the issue of capacity building under the Refrigerant
Management Plan (RMP)/Total Phase Out Management Plan
(TPMP), Sri Lanka will share its experiences with refrigeration
technicians from Maldives. Since Sri Lanka has already
completed a major part of its technician training, customs
officers training and has developed a certification
system, the Sri Lankan NOU will assist Maldives' NOU
to develop a similar system within the framework of
the latter's national requirements. In addition, a regular
dialogue will be held between the two NOUs, to discuss
mobile air conditioning (MAC) training and awareness
creation programmes. Sri Lanka will also assist Maldives
in developing an information, education and communication
(IEC) strategy for compliance and to prepare their TPMP
for meeting compliance commitments till 2010.
For further information, please contact:
Mr. Mahmood Riyaz
Assistant Director Coastal Management
Ozone Officer
Ministry of Home Affairs, Housing and Environment
Environment Research Center
Jamaaludheen Building, Nikagasmagu Malè 20-05
Republic of Maldives
Tel: (960) 335 952
Fax: (960) 335 953
Email: firstname.lastname@example.com
Dr. W.L. Sumathipala
Director/National Coordinator,
Coordinator/Montreal Protocol
Ministry of Environment & Natural Resources
"Parisara Piyasa", 104 Robert Gunawardena
Battaramulla, Sri Lanka
Tel: 94 11 2887455/2875381
Fax: 94 112871764/2875381/2887455
Email: email@example.com
25 international organisations contributed to this
landmark report, including Implementing Agencies of
the Montreal Protocol's Multilateral Fund: UNDP, UNEP
and the World Bank.
The references to the Montreal Protocol include:
"Action to prevent further deterioration of the
ozone layer shows that progress is possible." (pg.
"Overcoming these and other environmental problems
will require greater attention to the plight of the
poor and an unprecedented level of global cooperation.
Action to halt further destruction of the ozone layer
shows that progress is possible when the political will
is there." (pg. 30)
"Through unprecedented global cooperation, use
of chlorofluorocarbons, the most widespread ozone-depleting
substances, has been reduced to one tenth of 1990 levels.
This remarkable accomplishment shows that progress on
the environment can be achieved with strong political
will and with consensus on the problem and on how to
solve it. Though damage to the ozone layer is already
evident, recovery is expected within the next 50 years."
here to access the full report
here to read UNEP's press release from the regional
launching of the report
On behalf of UNEP, Mr. Rajendra Shende accepted the
USEPA award for the 'leadership and innovation in assisting
developing countries' on 4 May 2005. See press release
| English
| Francais
| Arabic
Ms. Drusilla Hufford -Director of Global programme Division
of USEPA while presenting the award said:
" The OzonAction Programme at UNEP is led by the
Division of Technology, Industry and Economics. This
is the first time that EPA has granted this award to
a UN agency.
For all of us, the OzonAction Programme is a reliable
source of information on protecting the ozone layer.
And for developing countries, OzonAction serves as the
critical link to scientific, environmental, and technical
information, without which the Montreal Protocol would
surely fail. The OzonAction brings the community of
environmental authorities, business people, and the
public together to get things done.
The OzonAction Programme has a long list of accomplishments
- some are summarized in your program. Let me call your
attention to one remarkable fact: "The Programme
has benefited well over 140 countries." This global
reach helps make the Montreal Protocol a global success.
Rajendra Shende was the only recipient among others
who was invited to make the closing remarks of the ceremony.
He said:
" The award to UNEP DTIE's OzonAction is also an
award to the developing countries who are doing extraordinary
job in complying with the Montreal Protocol. From Afghanistan
to Zimbabwe, the countries are struggling hard to protect
the Ozone Layer and save the life on the earth. OzonAction
has learned a lot from private sector and the governments
like USEPA who have done amazing jobs in phasing out
Ozone Depleting Substances. There are many assessments
done in the world on number of subjects. In case of
the Montreal Protocol, OzonAction was able to translate
those messages contained in the bulky assessment reports
of the technology and Economic Assessment Panel into
doable and achievable actions. OzonAction Team in its
regional offices in Bangkok, Nairobi, Bahrain and Mexico
City as well as in Paris office is working relentlessly
to assist the small and large countries in Ozone layer
protection and taking actions that safeguards the Ozone
layer and the climate system. "
For further information, please contact:
The meeting was a good opportunity to share technical
and policy issues related to CFC consumption by the
chillers sector, as well as future of this cluster in
light of the global environmental challenges and latest
decisions adopted by the Meeting of Parties of Montreal
Protocol. Based on the recommendations of the round-table
meeting, UNEP could provide services to the countries
and support demonstration activities by other Implementing
For further information, please contact:
Depleting Substances (ODS), in order to facilitate
conveying their experience to the grayschool level in
the servicing sector. During the period of 2005-2006,
this project is targeting to train 400 technicians to
enable Kuwait to fulfill its obligation towards 2007
cut of CFCs.
For further information, please contact:
Mr Rajendra Shende, Head
UNEP DTIE OzonAction Branch,
Tour Mirabeau
39-43, quai Andre Citroen
75739 Paris Cedex 15
Tel: +33 1 44 37 14 59
Fax: +33 1 44 37 14 74
Email email@example.com
Mr. Atul Bagai
Regional Coordinator (Networking), South Asia
UNEP Regional Office of Asia and Pacific
Bangkok, Thailand
Phone +66 2 288 1662
Email email@example.com
October 2004 brought good news for the European/Central
Asian ozone family. With the approval of an Armenia
Country Programme, all countries of the region have
received necessary funding for their ODS phase-out activities.
Armenia now faces up to a formidable task to swiftly
establish a national ozone unit and launch the approved
projects while complying with the forthcoming control
measures under the Montreal Protocol. An additional
challenge comes from the fact that Armenia will be the
only Article 5 country in the world implementing the
ODS Country Programme financed through the Global Environment
Facility (GEF).
On the eve of 50% cut in consumption of CFCs and halons,
in mid-December 2004, a Contact Group "Armenia-Georgia-Kyrgyzstan-UNEP-UNDP"
gathered in Yerevan to help Armenia prepare for the
challenges ahead. For the first time a meeting under
the umbrella of the Regional Ozone Network for Europe
and Central Asia was held with the participation of
Article 2 countries of Central Asia, namely Kazakhstan
and Uzbekistan, who were specially invited to share
their insights in the implementation of GEF projects.
On the occasion of the Contact Group Meeting, the Armenia
Country Programme was presented to a wide range of national
stakeholders, including representatives of the Ministry
of Justice, National Customs Department, scientific
institutions, non-governmental organisations and media,
to raise awareness and secure support for phase-out
Three working days of the Meeting were dedicated to
open and energetic deliberations on first steps to launch
and implement the Country Programme. How best to set
up a National Ozone Unit? Should the NOU be within a
governmental structure or an independent non-governmental
entity? What are the modalities of NOU operation? How
to harmonise the Montreal Protocol obligations with
the existing national environmental legislation? How
to avoid clashes between an ODS import quota system
and national anti-monopoly policies? How to synchronise
training programmes to be conducted by UNDP and UNEP?
When is the appropriate time to start an End-User Incentive
Programme? How to secure support from the Customs Department
for training of customs officers and how to ensure sustainability
of training activities? These and other vital issues
were addressed in detail during the meeting. "The
meeting was extremely beneficial for me and my colleagues",
said Ms. Asya Muradyan, newly appointed Coordinator
of NOU, "We received so much advice, insights and
information enabling us to get going with the work".
The Meeting agreed that the next steps would be:
For the Government of Armenia - to sign agreements with
UNDP and UNEP as the Implementing Agencies of the Country
Programme and to establish a National Ozone Unit.
For UNDP and UNEP - to agree on a synchonised approach
to the implementation of their respective projects to
ensure maximum impact.
For GEF - to arrange a training of NOU on GEF financial
and reporting procedures.
For Network members - to continue providing advice and
guidance to Armenian NOU with a view to introducing
best-tested methodologies and avoiding frequently-met
For further information, please contact:
Halon Banking Dilemma
in the Balkans
The year 2005 marks a milestone under
the Montreal Protocol: it is when countries operating
under Article 5 must reduce their halon consumption
by 50% compared to 1995-97 average level. This phase-out
target forms the backdrop to a recent gathering of National
Ozone Officers and halon experts who met to cooperate
on development and implementation of national halon
management strategies. Such strategies are expected
to enable countries to maintain sufficient level of
fire protection safety; introduce viable alternatives
and avoid economic disruption; gradually reduce country's
dependence on halons; and ensure identification of,
and provision for critical uses of halons. Jointly organized
by the Ministry of Science and Environmental Protection
of the Republic of Serbia, UNEP and UNIDO, the Regional
Halon Management Workshop, was held from 1 to 2 November
2004 in Belgrade, Serbia and Montenegro, with the participation
14 countries of Europe and Central Asia.
Having inspected the operation and equipment of the
Belgrade Halon Bank, located in the company Vatrosprem,
the participants proceeded to discuss advantages and
weak points of establishing national halon banks versus
regional or sub-regional facilities.
Serbia and Montenegro offered to use the Belgrade Halon
Bank as a sub-regional halon bank for the Balkans. In
response to this offer Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia
and Macedonia reached a consensus to investigate a cost-effectiveness,
feasibility and necessary practical arrangements for
the sub-regional halon bank. Albania will decide on
involvement in the possible sub-regional halon bank
at a later stage, once a survey of installed capacities
and essential users in the country is completed.
UNIDO and UNEP were requested to assist the countries
concerned in conducting a feasibility study and to facilitate
the development of a sub-regional halon banking project
if so decided by the Network.
For further information, please contact:
Aware of the need to maintain the integrity of the
Montreal Protocol to continue on the road to the recovery
of the ozone layer and to its subsequent sustainable
Conscious of the Plan of Implementation of the World
Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD) and the need
successfully to implement the Montreal Protocol in order
to attain sustainable development objective;
Cognizant of the findings of the Scientific Assessment
Panel of the Montreal Protocol and the Intergovernmental
Panel on Climate Change on interlinkages between ozone
layer depletion and climate change;
Recognizing also that the mainstreaming of the environmental
dimension into national strategies for sustainable development
and poverty reduction remains an important challenge
to all countries;
Aware of the efforts of the world community to develop
a strategic approach to international chemicals management;
1. Reaffirm their commitment to continue their efforts
to protect the global environment and the ozone layer,
bearing in mind in particular the Rio Principles, including
the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities;
2. Stress the need in particular, to implement the relevant
elements of the WSSD Plan of Implementation concerning
the sound management of chemicals, including the prevention
of international illegal trade of ozone-depleting substances,
hazardous chemicals and hazardous wastes;
3. Emphasize the need for developing countries to implement
multilateral environmental agreements and mainstream
environmental considerations in their sustainable development
and poverty reduction strategies to maximize the efficiency
of the technical and financial support provided;
4. Reiterate the need to help provide support for the
implementation of chemicals related multilateral environmental
agreements to developing countries and countries with
economies in transition, for the Montreal Protocol including
through an adequate replenishment of the Multilateral
Fund for the Implementation of the Montreal Protocol
and the Global Environment Facility and enhanced cooperation
between these funds;
5. Enhance the collaborative efforts towards technological
development, in particular those relating to the protection
of the ozone layer and the mitigation of climate change,
and transfer of technology to the countries that need
6. Seek alliance with other multilateral instruments
like the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm conventions
to contribute to an effective strategic approach to
international chemicals management; and
7. Declare the willingness of the Parties assembled
in this City of Bridges to contribute to building bridges
between the relevant multilateral environmental agreements
and to help them draw inspiration from the success of
the Montreal Protocol while, in turn, drawing inspiration
from them in meeting future challenges.
Prague, 26 November 2004, 8 p.m.
For further information, please contact:
A blend of expertise and experience in all aspects
of implementation of the Montreal Protocol has been
accumulated in some Network countries. Several of them
are well ahead of the approved ODS phase-out schedule,
while some others are at the early stages of implementation
or just about to launch their national phase-out plans.
This diversity prompted the Network to adopt an innovative
"contact group" approach to provide a direct
country-to-country assistance to those members facing
immediate and long-term compliance challenges. This
approach was first tested in March this year in Albania
and then applied during the contact groups' consultations
conducted on margins of the Sarajevo meeting. It proved
instrumental in searching for solutions to technical
problems of countries in non-compliance. It also helped
the Implementing Agencies better coordinate their efforts
and target their compliance support. The merits of the
"contact group" approach will further be examined
and refined during group meetings scheduled for the
second half of 2004.
For further information, please contact:
The meeting of the government representatives and the
customs officers, which was organised jointly by the
Hungarian Customs and Finance Guard and UNEP DTIE OzonAction
Programme, was convened at the World Customs Organisation
centre in Budapest. The countries reviewed their licensing
systems and import export regulations as well as means
to strengthen the enforcement of the policies. The new
provisions arising of the some of the countries that
joined the EU were also discussed. They agreed to set
the cooperative mechanisms like informal intelligence
sharing and
e-network of the customs officers for the information
For further information, please contact:
Ms. Usha Chandrasekhar
Director, Ozone Cell
Ministry of Environment
and Forests
India Habitat Centre,
Zone IV, East Court, 2nd Floor, Lodhi Road
New Delhi 110003
Tel:(91 11) 24 64 21 76
Fax: (91 11) 2464 21 75
The NOU secured high-level participation for this important
event. During the opening session, the meeting was addressed
by the Secretary of State for the Environment, H.E.
Chhann Saphan, stating the importance of the country
programme of Cambodia. The Director-General chaired
part of the meeting in person, adding his weight to
the discussions and conveying the message that the effort
of Cambodia is part of and supported by a wider international
effort. The Sub-decree was explained in detail to the
participants and ample time was provided for Questions
and Answers. Participants discussed practical implementation
issues in three working groups, and the many suggestions
for improvement were finalised in the conclusions and
recommendations approved at the end of the meeting.
The outcome of this workshop included agreement on
a suite of recommendations, including:
Specific amendments to the Sub-decree, for example
specifying actual quantities for each substance in kg
forimport quotas, immediately banning import of ODS
that have not previously been imported into the country,
banning import of cars that have been manufactured before
1996 to facilitate control of the ban on import of cars
with CFC-based mobile air conditioning, considering
the use of different taxes (import tax, non-tariff barrier
tax, sales tax) as a deterrent for import of ODS.
Modifications to the licensing procedure (e.g. not allowing
requests by importers to transfer unused quotas and/or
licenses to others, only renewing licenses if importers
fulfill data reporting duties)
Improving monitoring, control and enforcement (e.g.
introducing separate HS codes for all ODS and products
to facilitate control by customs)
Undertaking specific actions related to awareness raising,
information dissemination and training.
UNEP's involvement in this workshop is consistent with
its 2004 Business Plan commitment to"backstop the
operational activities to be conducted by countries
and other Implementing Agencies and help strengthen
the expertise of local experts in each of the sectors"
in the Asia and Pacific region.
During the two initial workshops, a total of 80 participants
including the representatives of customs regional entry
points, customs headquarters and other key stakeholder
agencies attended the train-the-trainers workshop. The
workshop included presentations dealing with ozone layer
depletion and the Montreal Protocol provisions, national
regulations concerning ODS, methods of identification
of ODS, illegal trade in ODS. Discussions in small groups
took place during the workshop. Representatives from
Kazakhstan NOU and the Russian Federation Customs made
presentations of their ODS licensing systems. Under
the framework of South-South cooperation, CAP facilitated
the participation of a resource person from the National
Academy of Customs, Excise and Narcotics of India to
provide input in theoretical and practical sessions.
Practical hands-on session on identification of ODS
using ODS identifiers was also part of the agenda. At
the end of the workshop the participants received relevant
certificates from the Government of Kyrgyzstan.
Contact for additional information:
Mr. Yerzhan Aisabayev, Programme Officer,
UNEP DTIE, OzonAction Programme
Tel.: (33 1) 44 37 14 64
Email : email@example.com
Ms. Nolan is expected to take up her position early
in 2004.
For further information, please contact:
here to download the full report in PDF format
Contact for additional information:
September 2003 - Ten years old in 2003, Environment
Canada's Montreal Protocol Bilateral Program is building
on a history of supporting projects, fostering partnerships
and transferring technology to help protect the ozone
layer by phasing out ozone-depleting substances around
the world. Emphasising effective cooperation with foreign
governments, United Nations agencies and environmental
industries, the Program has helped the phase out of
ozone depleting substances in more than fifteen developing
A new flyer detailing the achievements of this Canadian
programme is available on
the web or on request from:
Objectives of the Features