|
International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer -2008
Since 1994, the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed 16 September the International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer, commemorating the date, in 1987, on which the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer was signed.
The theme of this year’s celebration is “Montreal Protocol - Global partnership for global benefits,” meant to celebrate the multifaceted approach pursued by the Parties in the implementation of the Protocol. In fact, to date, the Montreal Protocol has reduced ozone-depleting substances by over 95 percent, thereby protecting the ozone layer for this and future generations. The reductions achieved have also resulted in very large reductions of global warming gases, thereby contributing significantly to the protection of the global climate system.
Linkages between ozone layer depletion and climate change :The world’s leading scientists have confirmed that global climate change and stratospheric ozone layer deplet ion are inextricably linked. The latest studies predict that the major relat ionships between the two will cause ozone deplet ion to exacerbate climate change and climate change to exacerbate ozone deplet ion, with grave and potentially irreversible consequences for people and ecosystems.
Consumption and Production of Ozone Depleting Substances in Developing Countries
Compliance with the approaching 2010 targets for the phase out of the consumption and production of CFCs and halons is the major challenge facing countries that operate under Article 5 of the Montreal Protocol. At the same time, developing countries must also prepare themselves to comply with the accelerated HCFC phase-out schedule, recently decided by the Parties on the occasion of the 20th Anniversary of the Montreal Protocol, beginning with a freeze in production and consumption by 2013.
Shortly thereafter, in 2015, comes the deadline for the complete phase-out of methyl bromide. Decision makers in developing countries need information that easily conveys where their countries stand in relation to these targets. This Trends Analysis service is designed to provide such a visual tool.
By means of the consumption and production data officially reported by their governments, countries must demonstrate that they fully meet the specific legal obligations (control measures) of the Protocol as per the agreed timetables. Countries must permanently reduce their dependency on ozone depleting substances (ODS) in a step-wise manner and ultimately end it altogether.
During the compliance phase, the phase-out process is country-driven both in terms of responsibilities and needs. This means government commitment and ownership in the process is crucial for success. Nevertheless, as the implementation of the Montreal Protocol is not performed in isolation, partnership and co-operation continues to be essential in this period
. |
