18 Years on, 189 Countries Work to Protect the Ozone Layer

In September 1987, a few countries came together to initiate action to protect a global common good, abiding by the principles of collective action stated in the Montreal Protocol on substances that deplete the Ozone Layer.

18 years later, in 2005, 189 countries are seen working with each other to prevent the release of ozone depleting substances (ODS) to reduce chemical onslaughts on the ozone layer. Some of the most significant measures include a complete halt of the production of ODS anew, supported by technical capacity building to use alternatives. Yet another important intervention which mutually reinforces phase out is a strict regulatory regime which not only maintains tabs on production and consumption within countries but helps monitor and curb illegal trade on ODS.

Bhutan Becomes the 189th Signatory to the Montreal Protocol

One of the most unique features of the Montreal Protocol has been the diligent participation of developing countries, adopting preventive measures based on sectoral assessments. Bhutan, for instance, ratified the Protocol on Aug. 23, 2004.

The Rules and Regulation on Control of Ozone Depleting Substances has come into force as of 20 August 2005 signifying controls on the import of ODS-based equipment.

Annual limits which ensure that the levels of consumption and use of ODS are reduced by 50% by the end of 2005 have been fixed to achieve compliance with commitments to the Protocol. This will pave the way for a total phase out by 2010. Importantly a well-structured Country Program and a Refrigerant Management Plan were developed to guide compliance.

The Compliance Assistance Program of the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) through its expedited assistance approach helped build capacities of key stakeholders including technicians, customs officers and importers of ODS to effectively participate in the phase out regimes. An agreement with India will see Bhutan receive technical assistance and support for capacity building to sustain phase out.

Integrated Approaches Between Sri Lanka and Maldives Reflect Concerted Action to Prevent Backsliding

Several countries are moving towards fulfilling the 85% reduction target with respect to consumption of chlorofluorocarbons. In this process, it is interesting to note that countries are willing to help each other overcome contingencies in meeting their changing consumption demands.

Maldives for instance, is a low-volume consuming country and is scheduled to import ODS from 2006 to meet domestic needs. Considering the fact that the volume is low, Sri Lanka will supply the necessary quantities to Maldives, and help overcome the problem of accessing low volumes from large scale producing countries. This is also a reflection of positive action through the South-South assistance framework facilitated by UNEP ROAP (Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific).

Systematic exchange of information between customs authorities of both the countries on trans-boundary movement of ODS reflects the integrated approach to harmonize legislative and regulatory mechanisms. Some of the other aspects of the integrated approach include capacity building on the development and implementation of refrigerant management and total phase out management plans for Maldives’s benefit, based on the fact that Sri Lanka has significant experience implementing several phase out tasks. It will be obvious that these valuable interventions can be sustained especially since well-structured mechanisms to monitor compliance and provide for corrective action have been established.

Some important initiatives in other parts of the world include the following. The closure of the Quimobasicos CFC production facilities in Mexico signifies a 12%-13% drop in the global output of CFCs. The Air India, the British West Indies Air line and Air Mauritius will help create awareness about ozone layer issues in passengers on-flight considering the fact that they fly close to the stratosphere.

These represent interventions along a continuum of technical, regulatory and other support measures aimed at protecting the ozone layer. According to UNEP executive director Klaus Toepfer, however, it is important to ensure that action is sustained to comply entirely with the Protocol guided by this bottom-line principle: “The campaign to protect the ozone layer represents an extraordinary success story — but until emissions of CFCs and other ozone depleting substances are reduced to zero, saving the ozone layer will remain an unfinished business.”