Asia-Pacific nations pledge to cut ozone depleting chemicals Worried over the fast shrinking ozone layer, the Asia-Pacific nations have agreed to phase out critical uses of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and other ozone depleting substances by 2008, two years ahead of their committed deadline. This was decided in a key meeting that was held in the Bhutanese capital Thimpu in April. The meeting brought together a region that is home to 60 per cent of the world population and accounts for nearly 75 per cent of the total production and consumption of CFCs. Senior United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) officials, who attended the three-day long meet, discussed the future of Montreal Protocol, which completes 20 years this year. Terming the Montreal Protocol as a quiet revolution as compared with high-profile but little achieving Kyoto Protocol, Mr. Rajendra Shende, head of the OzonAction Unit of the UNEP, said that the former had managed to achieve a lot without attracting attention to itself. The Protocols features included a precautionary approach, polluters pay principle and multilateral cooperation based on transparency, trust and consensus, he remarked. Mr. Shinde said that time-bound actions have resulted in successful management and reduced consumption and production of nearly 100 ozone depleting chemicals. He described as even more startling, the unintended benefits of the Montreal Protocols policies. For instance, the protocol had led to a reduction of 8 gigatonnes equivalent of carbon emissions, while Kyotos own target was only 2 gigatonnes. The meeting also discussed critical issues relating to the reduction of hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs), as well as ODS uses in military applications and metered dose inhalers use. Website: www.financialexpress.com Bhutan exceeds ODS reduction target Bhutan has exceeded its target to reduce annual import of ozone depleting substances (ODS) from 170 kg to 63 kg. In compliance with the Montreal Protocol, Bhutan was supposed to decrease its annual ODS import by 50 per cent, to 85 kg. But it reduced imports by 72 per cent a year. According Mr. Ritu Raj, the head of Ozone Unit of the National Environment Commission (NEC), such results were possible after they imposed a complete ban on ODS-based equipment like deep-freezers, refrigerators, fire extinguishers and air coolers. He said that Bhutan was successful in framing the licensing rule, which outlines what ODS-containing products importers can and cannot import or export. The nationwide survey conducted earlier by NEC had found that ODS in use in Bhutan was about 2,500 kg of which about 450 kg were used by nine major industries. Worldwide, Bhutan is in the low volume consumption category, meaning it consumed less than 30 tonnes of ODS a year. Actual ODS consumption in Bhutan is estimated to be less than 0.1 tonne a year according to NEC. As many as 60 participants from about 24 countries were in Thimphu from 10 to 14 April to mark the 20th Anniversary of signing of Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer. In his opening address, the Minister for Trade and Industry, Mr. Lyonpo Yeshey Zimba, said that the theme of the Anniversary, Montreal Protocol and Inter-generational Equity was in consonance with the environment chapter of the countrys draft constitution, which holds every Bhutanese as a trustee of the countrys natural resources and environment for the benefit of the present and future generations. Website: www.kuenselonline.com CFC smugglers favour India as a destination After gold, silver and electronics in the 1970s and 1980s, India has emerged as a favoured destination for yet another form of smuggled products in the current decade chloroflourocarbons (CFCs) slotted for a phase-out in less than three years from now. According to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), which organized an international ozone conference in Thimphu, Bhutan, India is facing a smuggling problem due to the high prices for CFCs. The international price for CFCs is about US$2 per kg, while in India it is US$6 or US$7. This provides enough incentive for the smugglers to target India, say well-informed sources. The situation is bizarre, since India is one of the bigger manufacturers and exporters of CFCs. India produces nearly 6,000 tonnes of CFCs, while the domestic demand is only 1,000 tonnes. The balance is exported to countries in South Asia, Latin America and Africa. But as there are only four manufacturers of CFCs in India, there are fears that they have formed a cartel to keep the prices unnaturally high within India and as a result make it a smugglers haven. UNEP fears that what is happening in India may be replicated elsewhere especially as the deadline for the phasing out of CFCs approaches. Now, the international community is gearing up to face this new challenge, not quite envisioned in the Montreal Protocol. To counter this rather unexpected development, the OzonAction Unit of UNEP has launched a counter-smuggling project called Project Skyhole Patching. It involves 20 customs and environmental authorities from 18 countries, including Australia, Bangladesh, China, India, Japan, Republic of Korea, New Zealand, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Viet Nam. Since the project began, customs in Hong Kong, India and Thailand have played an active role in sharing information on ozone depleting substances (ODS), say UNEP officials. In less than six months from the project launch, it has already borne fruits, with over 10 seizures of nearly 65 tonnes of ODS across the Asia-Pacific region. According to Mr. Atul Bagai of UNEPs Bangkok office, the main seizures have taken place in China, India and Thailand. Website: www.earthtimes.org Honeywells R410A certified vendor programme On 4 April 2007, Honeywell announced that three Chinese air-conditioner manufacturers Haier, Changhong and Midea are using R-410A refrigerant purchased from licensed suppliers and have met the criteria of its R410A Certified Vendor Programme (CVP). Honeywell created the CVP specifically for Chinese air-conditioner manufacturers who use R410A refrigerant purchased from licensed suppliers. The announcement was made at the 18th Annual China Refrigeration Show, held from 4 to 6 April 2007, in Guangzhou, China. Under the programme, all participating companies agree to be periodically audited by third parties to ensure that they are using R410A refrigerant purchased from licensed suppliers. Honeywell has retained the SGS Group to conduct audits according to a strict protocol. Companies receive a certification letter from SGS Group on the basis of the audit results. As part of the programme, Honeywell will identify certified Chinese manufacturers of air-conditioners for key buyers in Europe. Those certified companies can also gain other strategic benefits and advantages such as co-marketing opportunities with Honeywell brands in global markets. Website: www.jarn.co.jp Hydrofluoroalkane effective, but costlier as MDI propellant A common asthma inhaler powered by a new propellant is safe and effective, but could come at nearly triple the cost to consumers until a generic version hits the market, according to a review in New England Journal of Medicine. The review, conducted by two university professors and a director for the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), examines the consequences of switching to hydrofluoroalkane (HFA), which is replacing chlorofluorocarbon (CFC), as a key ingredient in albuterol inhalers designed to relieve asthma. The FDA has banned sale of CFC albuterol inhalers in the United States after 2008. Albuterol, one of the medicines that relieve asthma attacks, is the seventh most commonly prescribed drug in the United States. As it is so widely used, the report predicts that Americans will spend an additional US$1.2 billion a year on three patented inhaler brands containing the new propellant until generic versions reach pharmacies, probably after 2012. Patients who pay for their own medications will probably be hit hardest by new costs, paying on average US$ 312 more per year. While the new inhalers are just as effective as their traditional CFC counterparts, a few differences have been reported. One brand, for example, comes sealed in a protective pouch. After that pouch is opened, the drug carries a shelf life of just two months, while most inhalers can typically be stored for 15-24 months, said Dr. Leslie Hendeles, the University of Florida professor of pharmacy and pediatrics, who spearheaded the review. Two brands of HFA inhalers contain ethanol, while some HFA inhalers tend to clog more easily. Dr. Hendeles noted that CFC inhalers release negligible amounts of the propellant, and do not pose a threat to ozone depletion. However, more than 185 other countries signed the Montreal Protocol, an international treaty requiring complete withdrawal of all CFC products. As the inhaler is deemed medically necessary, it is exempt until new market replacements using HFA become available. Website: www.medicalnewstoday.com DuPont, Honeywell to develop car air-conditioning refrigerant DuPont entered a joint development agreement with Honeywell International Inc. to work on creating next-generation refrigerants for automotive air-conditioning. According to DuPont, under the agreement both companies will jointly identify, develop, test and qualify new low-global warming potential refrigerants. The companies will work with the automotive industry to qualify a refrigerant by mid-2007. The new refrigerants would let automakers meet new European regulations that require the use of such refrigerants in mobile air-conditioning applications. The regulations take effect for new model automobiles beginning 2011. Website: www.marketwatch.com Lack of alternatives makes CFC phase-out difficult Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) have been banned in many countries around the world, a lead that the Jakarta administration is yet to follow, despite Jakartas usage of CFCs making up 60 per cent that of the Indonesian level, an official said. Mr. Daniel Abbas, the Deputy Chairman of the administrations team on ozone protection, said that his office was facing difficulties in forcing businesses to stop using CFCs due to a lack of alternatives. The State Ministry of the Environment informs us that Jakarta is the main user of ozone depleting substances. But we cant force businesses to stop it unless there are alternative substances, he said. Website: www.thejakartapost.com UNEP calls on media to focus on ozone layer Journalists in the Asia-Pacific region have been called on by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) to play a greater part in focusing public attention on the need for protecting the ozone layer. UNEP recently organized a media and climate change workshop in Singapore for journalists from 10 countries in the region. Mr. Jim Curlin of UNEP said the United Nations was calling on journalists in the region to help get key messages out on climate change issues, particularly as this year marks both the 20th anniversary of the signing of the Montreal Protocol and the 10th anniversary of the signing of the Kyoto Protocol. Ozone depletion and climate change are two topics with real human, economic and social impacts, he said. At the two-day workshop for media in the region on ozone protection and linkages with climate changes, 15 participants from the region got the opportunity to learn about new developments in global ozone protection and learn about upcoming challenges. Website: www.vietnamnews.vnagency.com.vn Philippines mulls regional ODS info centres With global warming becoming an international issue that pushes nations across the world to contribute to local actions against the use of ozone depleting substances (ODS), the Philippine Government plans to put up Regional Information Centres and Networks (RICN) nationwide for an aggressive information campaign against ODS. RICN is seen as one of the most cost-effective methods of delivering the ozone protection messages with the use of identified multipliers, one of the target audience of the information education campaign against ODS. These multipliers such as journalists, teachers, NGOs, etc. are the direct recipients of the message who will re-echo the message to other targets. Putting up RICN nationwide is one of the planned targets of the Philippine Ozone Desk based on the nations Country Programme for ODS. The governments strategy to ensure the smooth phase-out of ODS in the country is striking a balance between the supply and demand of ODS. The supply is being controlled by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) through strict implementation of its ODS licensing system for the dealers, resellers and retailers of ODS. The DENR is also currently working on reducing the demand for ODS, specifically chloroflourocarbons and to prevent the development of a black market of the controlled and banned chemicals. Website: www.pia.gov.ph Montreal Protocol: hard journey for Bangladesh Bangladesh has been making its maximum efforts to comply with the Montreal Protocol, but some practical reasons are now compelling the country to be non-compliant, particularly for the essential use of chlorofluorocarbon (CFC), an ozone depleting substance (ODS), in producing the metered dose inhaler (MDI) for patients. Although Bangladesh, as a signatory to the Protocol, is set to phase out CFCs by 2010, it is very difficult for the country to phase out this very effective and widely used ODS as per schedule. At a recent media workshop held in Singapore, the UNEP officials cautioned that some medium level consumer countries, including Bangladesh, are now nearing a non-compliance situation. Mr. Thanavat Junchaya, the Regional Network Coordinator of UNEP, said that the Asia-Pacific region accounts for more than 80 per cent of the global production and consumption of ODS. It includes the largest producers and consumers like India, and China, and also the smallest countries like the Pacific Island nations. With its annual baseline use of 581.6 tonnes of ODS, Bangladesh is a medium category user along with Afghanistan, Pakistan, Malaysia, Sri Lanka and Viet Nam. The countrys actual ODS consumption is, however, more than the baseline accounts, as its use in the essential sector has not been calculated during the baseline survey. Now this additional need of ODS has created a non-compliance situation. Although Bangladesh framed the Ozone Depleting Substances Control Rules in 2004 and import of ODS is controlled under it, the use of CFCs for producing essential drugs by four private pharmaceutical companies cannot be contained. Website: www.nation.ittefaq.com