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By Joyce Mukucha
As Zimbabwe joined the rest of the world in celebrating World Ozone Day on Thursday, the Minister of Environment, Climate, Tourism, and Hospitality Industry, Mangaliso Ndlovu said it was imperative for Zimbabwe to acknowledge and embrace the Montreal Protocol and its Kigali Amendment to phase out man-made chemicals used mostly in refrigeration and air conditioning (RAC) that deplete the stratospheric ozone layer.
This year’s commemorations were running under the theme, “Montreal Protocol – Keeping us, our food and vaccines cool”, a theme that recognises the important role of refrigeration in preserving perishable foodstuffs including the whole food supply chain.
Speaking at a press conference in Harare yesterday, Minister Ndhlovu said, “It is with great pleasure that I address you on this occasion of the 2021 World Ozone Day. On the 16th of September in 1987, the World agreed and signed the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer. It is therefore important that on this World Ozone Day, we celebrate and acknowledge the Montreal Protocol and its Kigali Amendment in its wider efforts to keep us, our food, and vaccines cool.
“Through the global efforts under the Montreal Protocol, most of the Ozone Depleting Substances (ODSs) have been phased out. The “ozone hole” in the stratosphere is healing, in turn protecting human health, economies, and ecosystems. Recognising the bold provisions in the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol on the phase-down of HFCs usage, Zimbabwe has included the HFC phase-down actions as part of its revised Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) which has just been approved by Cabinet, two days ago, and now being finalized towards submission to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change ahead of the 26th Conference of Parties to be held this November in Glasgow, the United Kingdom,” he said.
He highlighted that during this Covid-19 pandemic, the refrigeration and air conditioning sector within the provisions of the Montreal Protocol has played a crucial role in preserving vaccines some of which need very low temperatures during transportation and storage.
Most of these Ozone Depleting Substances (ODS), he said, were “Greenhouse Gases” (GHGs) that trap outgoing radiation thereby contributing significantly to global warming and climate change.
“In this regard, the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol makes bold moves to phase-out hydrofluorocarbon refrigerants that have high global warming potential and contribute to climate change. As the world replaces HFCs with ozone and climate-friendly refrigerants such as hydrocarbons (HCs) we are setting ourselves on a course to tackle both ozone layer depletion and climate change.”
He also highlighted that this year Zimbabwe has ratified the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol, thus effectively joining the current drive towards zero global warming and zero ozone-depleting substances.
The Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol, Minister Ndlovu said, which entered into force on the 1st January 2019, is set to deliver even stronger climate benefits.
“Under the Kigali Amendment, nations have committed to phasing down hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) which are potent greenhouse gases. Reducing HFCs use is expected to avoid up to 0.4°C of global temperature rise by the end of this century while continuing to protect the stratospheric ozone layer.
“The Kigali Amendment provides an opportunity for improved energy efficiency in the cooling sector. Alternatives to HFCs offer an opportunity to redesign refrigeration and air conditioning to use less electricity, allowing expansion of comfort cooling and cold chain efficiencies without increasing the climate impacts. The combination of reducing HFC consumption and improved cold chain efficiencies, particularly in developing economies, will combat food losses.”
He also highlighted that the Ozone Day commemoration was being held as his Ministry was embarking on the Second Stage of Hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFC) Phase-out Management Plan (HPMP).
“The Second Stage HPMP will enable the country to eliminate the use of HCFCs by the 1st January 2030 and this will result in more climate benefits as these substances have high Global Warming Potentials.
“The Stage II HPMP will be implemented in partnership with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). I greatly appreciate the technical and financial support my Ministry has received from these Implementing Agencies.”
As the remaining Ozone Depleting Substances are being phased out and the ozone and climate-friendly ones are being introduced, Minister Ndlovu said illegal trade is phased out and controlled substances have increased across the globe and Zimbabwe is no exception to these smuggling schemes.
Striving to curb this, he said the ministry was working with the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority to train Customs Officers and equip them with tools and skills to combat illegal ODS trade in banned ODS and contaminated refrigerants across the borders.
“A total of sixteen refrigerant identifiers were distributed to all major ports of entry to help in the detection of mislabeled or contaminated refrigerants. Training equipment for customs officers has recently been imported and this will equip them with skills to combat illegal trade in controlled substances.”
He also applauded stakeholders for their continued support in various programmes aimed at eliminating Ozone Depleting Substances and Greenhouses Gases used in refrigeration and air conditioning.
“Through your unwavering support, we will continue to “keep ourselves, our food, and our vaccines cool” and for generations to come.”
It is believed that the ozone layer limits harmful solar radiation from reaching the earth’s surface by allowing only sufficient UV doses that are needed for the sustenance of life for human beings, plants, and animals.
Depletion of this vital protective shield causes eye cataracts, skin cancers and suppresses the immune system in human beings.
Ozone layer depletion also reduces crop yields, degrades synthetic materials and affects aquatic organisms.
The signing of the Montreal Protocol was followed by the 1994 United Nations General Assembly’s resolution 49/114 which declared the 16th of September as the International Day for the preservation of the Ozone Layer (World Ozone Day) and invited all Parties to commemorate this day every year.
The International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer commonly referred to as the “World Ozone Day” is a day set aside by the United Nations General Assembly in 1994 for all Nations to reflect and act against the depletion of the stratospheric ozone layer.
Zimbabwe is a signatory to the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer.