The theme for the 2022 International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer, marked on 16 September, was Montreal Protocol@35: global cooperation protecting life on earth.
- The theme recognises the wider impact the Montreal Protocol has on climate change and the need to act in collaboration, forge partnerships and develop global cooperation to address climate challenges and protect life on earth for future generations.
Ozone Layer
- The ozone layer, a fragile shield of gas, protects the Earth from the harmful portion of the rays of the sun, thus helping preserve life on the planet.
- Ozone depleting substances are man-made gases that destroy ozone once they reach the ozone layer.
- Most atmospheric ozone is concentrated in a layer in the stratosphere, about 9 to 18 miles (15 to 30 km) above the Earth’s surface.
- The ozone layer sits in the upper atmosphere and reduces the amount of harmful ultra violet radiation that reaches Earth from the sun.
- Ultraviolet radiation can have detrimental effects on both humans and the environment. For instance inducing skin cancer and cataracts, distorting plant growth and damaging the marine environment.
Ozone depleting substances (ODS)
- Ozone depleting substances include: chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs), hydrobromoflurocarbons (HBFCs), halons, methyl bromide, carbon tetrachloride and methyl chloroform.
Vienna Convention
- The Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer was adopted and signed by 28 countries, on 22 March 1985.
Montreal Protocol
- In September 1987, this led to the drafting of The Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer.
- On 16th September 2009, the Vienna Convention and the Montreal Protocol became the first treaties in the history of the United Nations to achieve universal ratification.
- The Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer, is an international environmental treaty for protection of the Ozone Layer by phasing out the production and consumption of man-made chemicals referred to as ozone depleting substances (ODS).
- The stratospheric ozone\ layer protects humans: and the environment from harmful levels of ultraviolet radiation from the sun.
- India became a Party to the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer on 19 June 1992 and since then has ratified the amendments to the Montreal Protocol.
Kigali Amendment
- Under the Kigali Amendment; Parties to the Montreal Protocol will phase down production and consumption of Hydrofluorocarbons, commonly known as HFCs.
- Hydrofluorocarbons were introduced as non-ozone depleting alternative to Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs). While HFCs do not deplete the stratospheric ozone layer, they have high global warming potential ranging from 12 to 14,000, which have adverse impact on climate.
- Recognizing the growth in use of HFCs, especially in Refrigeration and Air-conditioning sector the Parties to the Montreal Protocol, reached agreement at their 28th Meeting of the Parties (MOP) held in October 2016 in Kigali, Rwanda to add HFCs to the list of controlled substances and approved a timeline for their gradual reduction by 80-85 per cent by the late 2040s.
- India ratified the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol for phase down of Hydrofluorocarbons.
- India has successfully met the phase out targets of all the Ozone Depleting Substances as per the Montreal Protocol Schedule.
- India will complete its phase down of HFCs in 4 steps from 2032 onwards with cumulative reduction of 10% in 2032, 20% in 2037, 30% in 2042 and 85% in 2047.
