Africa-Press – Mauritius. A half-day Advocacy Workshop, dedicated to media specialists and other key stakeholders, was organised by the Ministry of Environment, Solid Waste Management and Climate Change on Thursday 16 September 2021, to mark the International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer 2021.
The objectives of the workshop were to raise awareness on the importance of ozone layer protection and to obtain the support of the media in sensitising the population in contributing towards ozone layer protection.
Factsheets containing basic information on the ozone layer and the Montreal Protocol, and steps that can be taken by members of the public to contribute towards the protection of the ozone layer were also launched on the occasion. These factsheets would be accessible on the website of the Ministry at https://environment. govmu. org/Pages/index.
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International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer
The United Nations’ “International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer” is celebrated each year on the 16th of September to commemorate the signing of the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer in 1987.
This year’s theme, “Montreal Protocol Keeping Us, Our Food and Vaccines Cool”, highlights the collective and continued effort of parties to the Montreal Protocol to implement solutions to global environmental problems.
The theme acknowledges that beyond protecting the ozone layer, the Montreal Protocol has significantly contributed to slow down climate change through the progressive phasing out of Ozone Depleting Substances and Hydrofluorocarbons, while also helping in the preservation of foods and the much-needed vaccines during the prevailing global health emergency unleashed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer
The Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer, which was adopted and signed by 28 countries, on 22 March 1985, is a mechanism for cooperation allowing the international community to act to protect the ozone layer. In September 1987, this led to the drafting of the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer.
Montreal Protocol
The aim of the Montreal Protocol is to protect the ozone layer by taking measures to control total global production and consumption of substances that deplete it, with the objective of their elimination on the basis of developments in scientific knowledge and technological information.
It is structured around several groups of ozone-depleting substances. The groups of chemicals are classified according to the chemical family and are listed in annexes to the Montreal Protocol text.
The Protocol requires the control of nearly 100 chemicals, in several categories. For each group or annex of chemicals, the Treaty sets out a timetable for the phase-out of production and consumption of those substances, with the aim of eventually eliminating them completely.
Universal ratification
On 16 September 2009, the Vienna Convention and the Montreal Protocol became the first treaties in the history of the United Nations to achieve universal ratification.
Kigali Amendment
The Parties to the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer reached agreement at their 28th Meeting of the Parties on 15 October 2016 in Kigali, Rwanda to phase down hydrofluorocarbons.
Actions to protect the ozone layer
It is recalled that simple actions can be taken towards the protection of the ozone layer. These include opting for ozone and climate friendly refrigerants while purchasing equipment such as refrigerators and air conditioning systems and requesting trained technicians to repair faulty equipment.
In addition, one should switch off equipment when not in use, avoid overloading refrigerators with food and not storing hot food in refrigerators. Also, it is recommended to set air conditioners at 30 to 50 C lower than the ambient temperature to save energy.
