Tokyo/Bangkok, 19 September 2008- Japan is at the forefront of the Asia-Pacific region in exploring better solutions to get rid of unwanted ozone depleting substances (ODS), chemicals that have been widely used around the world by industry, farmers and by consumers. By permanently destroying such chemicals with safe and clean technologies, the stratospheric ozone layer - earth’s protective shield - and the earth’s climate, can both benefit.

The main cause of stratospheric ozone depletion is the release of chloroflurocarbons (CFCs), which have used for decades in the manufacture and operation of refrigerators and air-conditioners among others. The Montreal Protocol, signed by 193 countries has established a progressive phasing out of CFCs, with interim agreements that refined and widened the reach of legislation, to include a freezing of production and consumption of hydrochloroflurocarbons (HCFCs) by 2013 in developing countries. Both CFCs and HCFCs deplete the ozone layer (though to differing degrees), and both are also potent global warming gases.

Destruction of all banks from the refrigeration and AC equipment that are reaching its life time as of 2008 could significantly contribute to the recovery of the ozone layer. Without action, most of these banks will be released into the atmosphere by 2015, by which time emissions from CFC banks alone could equal approximately 6.0 to 7.4 giga tons of carbon dioxide equivalent between 2002 and 2015.

“Even after production has been phased out, a large quantity of ODS banks will remain which will continue to emit harmful gases which will impede global efforts to heal the ozone layer. These emissions need to be contained and eliminated in a safe destructive environment” said Dr. S.R Joshi, National Ozone Officer of Nepal on behalf of the 13 ozone officers of the South Asia Network, during a workshop on ODS destruction in Tokyo, Japan, which started today. “Their presence in the atmosphere is a double blow to the atmosphere, so cost effective destruction of these unusable and un-needed quantities is responsible cradle-to-grave management of these harmful chemicals.”  On the occasion of the workshop, a joint Japan-UNEP study on ODS destruction issues was also launched. This study will attempt to develop an action plan to address the destruction of ODS banks in the Asia and Pacific region.

Several countries have successfully employed regulatory or voluntary measures to improve the recovery and recycling of ODS in existing equipment (called “banks”) at the end of their useful life, which is the first crucial step in the process that leads to the final destruction of those chemicals. These measures include requiring specific servicing practices to maximize recovery of ODS, providing a rebate for their return, establishing safe disposal requirements to ensure removal of refrigerants from goods that enter the waste stream (such as household fridges), making voluntary emissions of refrigerants an offense and expanding ODS voluntary measures to include other greenhouse gases that are used as substitutes for ODS or can be destroyed at the same facilities as ODS. Atul Bagai, Regional Officer (Networking), Compliance Assistance Programme (CAP), Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific (ROAP) said “As some ODS such as HCFCs have high global warming potential, reducing their emissions is a significant contributor to savings in terms of both ozone and climate”.

During the 2-day workshop on ODS destruction, representatives of Ministries of the Environment of 13 South Asian countries will share their needs and capabilities with regard to this issue. Australia, the United States and Japan will share their first-hand experiences in handling and disposing of unwanted ODS. The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will present the US policies on ODS reuse and disposal and Japan will be present their regional project preparation and the draft workplan to collaborate with other Asia-Pacific countries in finding the key solutions to the destruction issue. The participants will also have the opportunity to see destruction technology first-hand when they visit the Kankyo-Soken and San-yu Plants, two major ODS destruction facilities in Japan. This workshop which is organized by the Government of Japan will be followed by the Meeting of South Asia Network of Ozone officers with the theme “Addressing Remaining 2010 Compliance Challenges and Moving Ahead on HCFC Phaseout”, 21-22 September 2008, Tokyo, Japan, which is organized by UNEP DTIE’s OzonAction Programme, ROAP team, with supporting from the Multilateral Fund and the Government of Japan.

For more information, please contact:

Mr. Atul Bagai
Regional Coordinator (Networking)
United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific
2nd Floor, United Nations Building
Rajdamnern Nok Avenue, Bangkok 10200
Tel: 66 2 288 1662
Fax: 66 2 280 3829
Email: bagai@un.org

NOTES TO EDITORS:

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 brining emerging issues to the attention of governments and the international community for action.

Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer

The Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer is an international treaty designated 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, “Perhaps the single most successful international agreement to date…”

About UNEP's OzonAction

The Montreal Protocol is at an advanced stage of implementation. Developing countries now operate under a "compliance phase" which requires them to achieve and sustain compliance with specific obligations, promote a greater sense of country ownership and implement the agreed Executive Committee framework for strategic planning.

As an Implementing Agency of the Protocol's Multilateral Fund, UNEP responded to this new compliance context by changing its mode of operation and structure to better assist developing countries with the implementation of the treaty. UNEP's OzonAction Programme established a Compliance Assistance Programme (CAP) that moved from a project management approach to directly assisting countries with specific compliance challenges. The CAP is delivered through specialized staff located in four of UNEP's Regional Offices and in the Paris office of the Division of Technology, Industry and Economics (DTIE).

Consistent with the above approach the CAP team in the Regional Office for Asia and Pacific (ROAP) 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.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

UNEP OzonAction Programme: www.unep.fr/ozonaction
Multilateral Fund: www.multilateralfund.org
Ozone Secretariat: www.ozone.unep.org