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Archive - Archive 2004 - July 2013

Refrigeration technicians equipped to aid curb ozone depletion |22 July 2013

Refrigeration technicians equipped to aid curb ozone depletion

Mr Pillay (at podium) addressing delegates at the launch of the workshop on Friday. Seated to his left are Mr Huehren and Ms Chang-Waye

It is with this in mind that the Ministry of Environment and Energy held a workshop for local refrigeration technicians in order to equip them with the necessary alternatives to reduce the ozone’s depletion.

The ozone layer is a layer in the Earth's atmosphere which absorbs most of the sun's ultra-violet radiation. The ozone layer absorbs 97-99% of the sun's ultraviolet light, which potentially damages exposed life forms on Earth and can cause health issues such as skin cancer among others.

About 25 representatives from various hotels and contractors were present on Friday for the workshop held at the Coco D’Or Hotel and Restaurant, Beau Vallon.

At the launch ceremony, the ozone coordinator from the Ministry of Environment and Energy, Inese Chang-Waye said the ministry plans to reduce the consumption of Ozone Depleting Substances (ODS) such as hydro chlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) by the year 2018. After that, no companies will be allowed to import these substances.
She also announced that the ministry is doing on-site training at different hotels around the country.

Because these substances are used commonly in refrigerators and air-conditioning units, there is a strong need to advise those who work with these products how to find better alternatives, so as to smoothen the phasing out of the ODS.

National Meteorological Services director Selvan Pillay spoke of the need for measures to be taken in order to reduce the ozone’s depletion, by reducing the importation of harmful gases in line with the Montreal Protocol signed by 197 countries since September 1987.

The workshop was run by Rolf Huehren, a technical senior advisor from Germany-based GIZ Proclima.
GIZ Proclima is a provider of international cooperation services for sustainable development.

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