World Ozone Day – September 16   |16 September 2023

Ensuring that all practicing technicians undergo refresher courses in Good Refrigerant Practices and Safety Aspects of hydrocarbons with the assistance of Seychelles Institute of Technology since 2004

Montreal Protocol: ‘Fixing the ozone layer and reducing climate change’

In the late 1960s, when Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) were first invented for mankind’s benefit, it was supposed to be a safer chemical that can be used in cooling system. However, in 1974, scientists predicted that the Earth’s natural sun shield, the ozone layer, was being destroyed by CFCs at a terrifying rate, and its impact has become a planetary problem.

Suddenly all eyes turned to the ozone layer, when the ozone hole was discovered in the stratosphere (11 - 50km above mean sea level) and if the destruction was not stopped, the earth would be at risk from lethal levels of UV radiation and would become a blind burnt population.

In our long history there is one unprecedented act of humanity in which every country came together to protect the future of life on Earth – Montreal Protocol – and over 36 years since the rest of the world’s nations signed up, the Montreal Protocol has made more progress than any other environment convention in the world.

Together they have taken on the greatest repair job ever attempted to protect human life.

It has taken determination and will power of each country and government to achieve it, with CFCs banned and HCFCs being banned in 2030, the ozone hole is healing and is expected to be pre 80s by 2066.  However, the work and the benefits of the Montreal Protocol is far from over.

Now it is time to take action again to protect our Planet Earth as the Montreal Protocol also plays a key role in fighting another major planetary challenge, that of climate change and global warming.

With the planet heating up, and the demands for more air-conditioning in homes, schools and workplaces, and at the same time, expanding access to sustainable cold chain – to keep food fresh and vaccines viable – it is essential to meet sustainable development aspirations. There is a marked increase in potent greenhouse gases being used in cooling systems. This growth in cooling must be sustainable, which means both finding safe and environmentally friendly alternatives to HFCs and increasing the energy efficiency of cooling equipment. (Some extracts are from UNEP message)

At their 28th Meeting of Parties (MOP) October 15, 2016 in Kigali, Rwanda, all the countries adopted the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol to phase down consumption and production of hydro fluorocarbons (HFCs) which are powerful climate-warming gases that have replaced ozone-depleting substances in the cooling industry.

As of September 7, 2023, the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol has been ratified by 152 countries including Seychelles.

30 years of achievement of Seychelles under the Montreal Protocol since ratification

Seychelles, a small island state and also a Low Volume Country (LVC) in terms of importation, is particularly vulnerable to the effects of ozone depletion and other environmental issues such as climate change. It became a party to the Montreal Protocol when:

•           In 1993, it ratified the Vienna Convention, The Copenhagen Amendment, the Montreal Protocol and London Amendment, for the Phase-out of  ChloroFluoro carbons(CFCs) in 2010
•           In 2002, it ratified the Montreal and Beijing Amendment for the Phase-out of Hydrochloro Fluoro carbons (HCFCs) in 2020.
•           In 2019, folowing unanimous agreement by the National Assembly, Seychelles ratified The Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol on August 18, 2019 and it became effective November 18, 2019.

The tourism industry being a major pillar of our economy and main stakeholder in the usage of refrigerant gas, 60% of the yearly- consumption goes to the hotels followed by the fishing industry. To support the transformation, a combination of measures was  required, including significant reform of policies, institutions, standards and regulations, in addition to training of skills and a continued education and knowledge sharing, as well as building capacities and the introduction of certification and quality assurance schemes.

Once more we must come together to protect the future of our planet. By phasing down HFCs, the Kigali Amendment may result in avoidance of up to 0.5°C of warming by 2100, while implementing energy efficiency measures could potentially double this figure.

With the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol, 135 billion tonnes of CO₂ equivalent is expected to be removed.

Under the Montreal Protocol, greenhouse gases emission are equivalent to a quarter of all the greenhouse emission.

Therefore, all nations/businesses/governments are called upon to help build a better and cooler world.

Contributed