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Developing countries receive funds to eliminate ODS |
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Additional US$21 million has been provided from the
Multilateral Fund (MLF) to 36 developing countries to phase
out over 1,143 tonnes of ozone depleting substances (ODS) such
as CFCs, carbon tetrachloride, halons and methyl bromide. The
MLF has a mandate to assist developing countries to comply
with the timetable for the phase-out of ODS set by the
Montreal Protocol.
Funds approved at the 49th Meeting of the Executive Committee
ranged from between US$10.8 million to India to progress the
gradual phase-out of production and consumption of carbon
tetrachloride (a common ozone-depleting solvent that was
formerly used in large quantities in many cleaning
applications) down to US$44,000 to provide additional
institutional support for five Pacific Island Countries that
are facing challenges to phase out CFCs used in critical
refrigeration servicing sector applications such as food
preservation. The Executive Committee earmarked an additional
US$2.7 million for performance-based national plans for
phasing out ODS in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the
Syrian Arab Republic and Tunisia.
Website:
www.multilateralfund.org |
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Tackling illegal trade in ODSs and dangerous waste
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A project to curb illegal trade in ozone depleting substances
(ODS) and dangerous waste in the Asia-Pacific region began
operation on 1 September 2006. “Project Sky Hole Patching” is
designed to monitor the movement of suspicious shipments of
ODS and dangerous commodities across several customs
territories in the region. It involves customs administrations
and environment authorities, besides key organizations such as
the World Customs Organization’s Regional Intelligence Liaison
Office for Asia and the Pacific (RILO A/P), UNEP 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 Centres.
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 into developing countries, there are
indications of high incidence of illegal trade. Illegal ODS
has been seized in China, India, the Philippines, Indonesia,
Thailand and other countries in the region. For example,
88,291 kg of ODS was seized in Thailand in 2005, up 6,997 kg
from 2004.
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 the “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 17-20 May 2006. The
operation will be conducted in two phases with the first
six-month phase focusing on ODS. The second phase will include
hazardous waste. UNEP-ROAP/CAP and RILO A/P will facilitate
the operation for the region in consultation with involved
regional and international institutions dealing with ODS and
dangerous waste.
Contact: Mr. Atul Bagai, Regional Co-ordinator (Networking),
South Asia, Compliance Assistance Programme, Regional Office
of Asia and the Pacific, UNEP, Bangkok, Thailand. Tel: +66 (2)
2881 662
E-mail:
bagai@un.org
Website:
www.unep.org |
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Viet Nam and Lao People’s Democratic Republic to
protect ozone |
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Tight customs procedures were recommended by authorities and
experts of Viet Nam and Lao People’s Democratic Republic at a
recent symposium as an effective way to find ozone depleting
substances (ODS) in imports and exports through border gates.
The symposium, co-sponsored by the Vietnamese Ministry of
Natural Resources and Environment (MNRE) and the Agency of
Science, Technology and Environment of Lao People’s Democratic
Republic, was held in the central province of Quang Tri, which
houses the busy Lao Bao international border gate leading to
Lao People’s Democratic Republic.
Customs offices in three other central Vietnamese provinces –
Quang Binh, Ha Tinh and Nghe An – that share border with Lao
People’s Democratic Republic also sent representatives to the
symposium where a MNRE representative presented a device to
detect ODS. The two countries have worked closely together in
their efforts to fully meet their commitments to ozone layer
protection.
Web- site:
www.vietnamnews.vnagency.com.vn |
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India celebrates International Ozone Day |
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The twelfth International Day for preservation of Ozone Layer
was celebrated on 16 September to commemorate the date of
signing of Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the
Ozone Layer. Mr. Namo Narain Meena, Minister of State for
Environment & Forests, in his address to the gathering
revealed that India had received about Rs. 10 billion to phase
out 23,000 MT production of CFC and CTC and about 22,000 MT
consumption of CFC, CTC, halons and methyl chloroform. India
achieved 50 per cent target by reducing CFC production from
22,558 MT to 11,294 MT and consumption from 6,681 MT to 1,940
MT. The most critical and important target of CTC production
and consumption had also been achieved by adopting suitable
alternative technology for non-feedstock applications of CTC.
Mr. Rajendra Shende, Chief of OzoneAction, United Nations
Environment Programme, gave examples of action taken by
children in China and the United States and appealed to the
children to initiate movement in preserving the ozone layer.
On this occasion, National Awards for Prevention of Pollution
and Rajiv Gandhi Environment Awards for Clean Technology were
presented, apreciating the efforts of industrial units towards
prevention of environment pollution.
Website:
www.pib.nic.in |
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Efforts in the Philippines to stop ODS smuggling |
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In the Philippines, The Department of Environment and Natural
Resources (DENR) has begun linking up with other government
agencies to stop the smuggling of ozone-depleting substances
(ODS), which are used in cars, refrigerators, cleaning sprays
and other household items.
The DENR’s Environmental Management Bureau (DENR-EMB), in
enforcing the ban on ODS, specifically needs help from
agencies conducting law enforcement or are in charge of ports
of entry in the country, said Mr. Roy V. Kyamko,
DENR’s Undersecretary and deputy head of the National
Anti-Environmental Crime Task Force (NAECTAF). The most widely
used ODS are the CFCs commonly called freons, which are used
as cooling agent for refrigerators and air-conditioners,
blowing agent for foam, and propellant for spray cans and
solvent. Smugglers have begun using ingenious methods in
concealing the ODS in cargo shipments, like hiding them in
traveller’s backpacks. Others resort to fraudulent
trans-shipment.
“This environmental crime done by unscrupulous smugglers can
be prevented by stringent checking of documents, matching
import documents with consignment, inspecting the consignment,
routine checking of imports of hydrochlorofluorocarbon (HCFCs)
and hydrofluorocarbon (HFCs), using refrigerant identifiers,
and checking the recycling capacity and vigilance of countries
of origin at border crossings,” Mr. Kyamko said. “Raising the
awareness of customs officers is also one of the preventive
measures,” he added.
Website:
www.denr.gov.ph |
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Honeywell’s non-ODS blowing agent to be used in
China |
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Honeywell International, the United States, has signed a deal
with China-based manufacturer Linuo Paradigma to provide its
patented blowing agent Enovate to improve performance of foam
insulation used in Linuo Paradigma’s solar-energy water
heaters. It marks the first such use of this non-ODS
hydrofluorocarbon that allows cells in foam insulation to
expand. The technology aims to phase out the use of ODS such
as CFCs.
Website:
www.njbiz.com |
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