Tackling Illegal Trade in Ozone-depleting Substances and Dangerous Waste – ‘Project Sky Hole Patching’
Bangkok/Beijing, 1 Sept. 2006: A project to curb illegal trade in ozone depleting substances (ODS) and dangerous waste in the Asia Pacific region went into operation today. “Project Sky Hole Patching” is designed to monitor the movement of suspicious shipments of ozone depleting chemicals and dangerous commodities across several customs territories in the region. It involves customs administrations and environment authorities, the World Customs Organisation’s Regional Intelligence Liaison Office for Asia and the Pacific (RILO A/P), United Nations Environment Programme Regional Office for Asia and Pacific (UNEP ROAP), the Compliance Assistance Programme (CAP) of UNEP’s Division of Technology, Industry and Economics, Basel Convention Regional Centers and other key international organizations.
“It is encouraging that customs administrations in the region are prioritizing environmental issues in their agenda. This project will undoubtedly curb smuggling of environmentally sensitive commodities and also facilitate the cooperation between customs authorities and environmental agencies,” said Dr. Sathit Limpongpan, Director General of the Department of Thai Customs. “It is obvious that Customs is a forefront agency and key stakeholder in fighting against the illegal trade of ozone depleting substances.”
While global efforts under the Montreal Protocol have reduced the production and consumption of ODS by 90%, the ozone layer remains fragile and under threat. The ozone hole that formed in the southern hemisphere in 2005 was the third largest ozone hole ever recorded, peaking at a maximum area of 25 million square kilometers. A recent report released by UNEP and the World Meteorological Organization indicates that ozone layer recovery will be delayed by 5-15 years, depending on latitude. By fully meeting their commitments to phase out ODS – including control of cross border trade in these chemicals – Governments can help avoid further delays in this healing process, the report said?
The approaching deadlines to phase-out ODS and dwindling legal supplies are leading to rise in ODS prices, creating lucrative business opportunities for illegal operators. While it is very difficult to give an accurate estimate of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) smuggled in developing countries, there are indications of high incidence of illegal trade. Illegal ODS has been seized in China, India, Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand and other countries in the region. For example, in 2005, 88,291 kgs, of ozone-depleting substances were seized in Thailand, up 6,997 kgs from 2004.
“Illegal ODS trade, if left unchecked, could undermine global efforts to phase out these chemicals. The coming years will thus be important as developing countries phase-out their consumption of major ODS to achieve compliance with the Montreal Protocol,” said Surendra Shrestha, UNEP Regional Director and Representative for Asia and the Pacific.
Moreover, it is estimated that some 300–500 million tons of hazardous waste are produced annually. As regulations governing the safe and proper disposal of hazardous waste tighten, increasing handling charges and decreasing safe disposal capacity, much of the waste is suspected to be dumped illegally.
During the 11th World Customs Organization Asia Pacific Regional Conference of Heads of Customs Administrations held in Beijing on 3-6 April 2006, the meeting unanimously agreed to initiate "Project Sky-Hole-Patching". A proposed plan of action of the project was adopted during the 4th Joint Southeast Asia and Pacific/South Asia Customs-ODS Officers Cooperation Workshop held in Bangkok on May 17-20 2006.
The operation will be conducted in two phases with the first six-month phase focussing on ODS. The second phase will include hazardous waste. RILO A/Pand UNEP ROAP CAP will facilitate the operation for the region in consultation with involved regional and international institutions dealing with ODS and dangerous waste.
For more information, please contact:
Ms. Satwant Kaur, UNEP Regional Information Officer, Tel: + (66 2) 288 2127; E-mail: kaur@un.org
Mr. Atul Bagai, Regional Network Coordinator, South Asia, UNEP CAP, ROAP, Tel: 662 288 1662, Email: bagai@un.org
UNEP Division of Technology, Industry and Economics’ OzonAction Programme: http://www.unep.fr/ozonaction/
Green Customs Initiative: http://www.greencustoms.org
NOTE TO EDITORS
“Project Sky-Hole-Patching”, and operation on combating illegal trade in ODS and hazardous waste, will be launched on 1 September. It was initiated by China Customs and will be coordinated by RILO A/P and UNEP ROAP and operated by related customs administrations and international organizations in the region. The project will establish a monitoring and notification system among member administrations. The aim is to keep track of the movement of suspicious shipments when they are imported, re-exported or transshipped across several Customs territories.
A. Aim of the Project
Combat illegal trade of ozone depleting substances and dangerous wastes.
B. Purpose
The project is to strengthen the customs’ supervision and control of environmentally sensitive commodities, combat illegal trade in ODS and dangerous wastes, protect the environment of the region, promote the communication among the customs administrations and environment agencies concerning environmental crime and facilitate the cooperation between customs authorities and environmental agencies.
C. Participants
Related members customs, RILO A/P and UNEP ROAP, environmental agencies dealing with Multilateral Environment Agreements (MEAs), and international organizations,
D. Mechanism
Through establishing a monitoring system, member administrations and WCO Regional Intelligence Liaison Office for Asia and the Pacific (RILO A/P) can keep track of the movement of suspicious shipments in the region and ensure that they stay on their proper course. More precisely, immediate follow-up investigations can be taken in such events.
UNITED NATIONS ENVIRONMENT PROGRAMME (UNEP)
UNEP is the United Nations system’s designated entity for addressing environmental issues at the global and regional level. Its mandate is to coordinate the development of environmental policy consensus by keeping the global environment under review and bringing emerging issues to the attention of governments and the international community for action.
The Montreal Protocol on Substances That Deplete the Ozone Layer is an international treaty designed to protect the ozone layer by phasing out the production and consumption of a number of substances believed to be responsible for ozone depletion. The treaty was opened for signature on September 16, 1987 and entered into force on January 1, 1989. Since then, it has undergone five revisions, in 1990 (London), 1992 (Copenhagen), 1995 (Vienna), 1997 (Montreal), and 1999 (Beijing). Due to its widespread adoption and implementation it has been hailed as an example of exceptional international cooperation with Kofi Annan quoted as saying it is "Perhaps the single most successful international agreement to date...”
About the Compliance Assistance Programme (CAP) for Asia and the Pacific
In 2002, UNEP as an Implementing Agency of the Multilateral Fund of the Montreal Protocol made a conscious departure from the past in assisting developing countries to enable them to implement the Montreal Protocol. This departure emerges from the new context in which developing countries now operate under the compliance regime of the Protocol. The new context of compliance regime requires countries to: achieve and sustain compliance, promote a greater sense of country ownership and implement the agreed Executive Committee framework for strategic planning.
In line with this re-orientation, UNEP proposed through the Compliance Assistance Programme (CAP) to begin moving from project management approach to a direct implementation initiative through its specialized staff. Active partnership with Implementing Agencies and Bilateral Agencies is the key element of such approach, which is expected to yield consistent and quality advice and support for countries. Consistent with the above approach the Regional Office for Asia and Pacific (ROAP) CAP team has developed to be the centre for policy advice, compliance guidance and conduct training to refrigeration technicians, customs officers and other relevant stakeholders on compliance issues, promote bilateral and multilateral cooperation and promote high-level awareness by utilizing UNEP’s staff.
UNEP ROAP News Release 06/06