Opening of one- day workshop
Celebration of the 25th Anniversary for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer
and the International Ozone Day
by
The Minister of Environment and Sustainable Development,
Hon Devanand VIRAHSAWMY, GOSK, FCCA
at
Le Labourdonnais Hotel, Caudan,
on
Monday 17 September 2012 at 0930 hrs
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The Supervising Officer, Mr Satyaved Seebaluck
UNDP Resident Representative, Mr Simon Spingett
Distinguished guests and participants
Ladies and Gentlemen
It gives me great pleasure to address you for the opening ceremony of this
one-day workshop on ozone layer protection and climate change. This
workshop is organised in the context of the International Ozone Day and
the 25th anniversary of the Montreal Protocol for the preservation of the
ozone layer. Through this workshop we want to raise awareness of key
stakeholders on links existing between the ozone layer depletion and
climate change which are the two most common global environmental
crises.
The 25th anniversary of this landmark agreement on control of ozone
depleting substances is an opportunity for me to recall how the ozone layer
issue has evolved over the years.
Scientists believe that the ozone layer was formed about 400 million years
ago and remained undisturbed for most of the time. Located at some 15 to
30 kilometers above the earth’s surface, the ozone layer filters out
dangerous ultraviolet radiation from the sun, thus protecting human life,
animals and plants. In 1974, it was discovered that man-made chemicals,
namely chlorofluorocarbons, used in aerosols, in refrigerators and in air
conditioners were threatening the ozone layer. Some years later, public
opinion and Governments throughout the world got alarmed when the
extent of the damage caused to the ozone layer, commonly known as the
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ozone hole was discovered in 1985. This paved the way for the adoption of
the Montreal Protocol in 1987 whose object has just been detailed by Mr.
Seebaluck. Since then, the Protocol has been ratified by 197 countries
including Mauritius. Its successful implementation has allowed the phasing
out of some 98 % of the first groups of Ozone Depleting Substances,
namely chlorofluorocarbons, which are also known as CFCs.
It is widely believed that without the Montreal Protocol, the Ozone
Depleting Substances would have risen by about 50 % in the northern
hemisphere and by some 70 % in the southern hemisphere by 2050. If this
was to happen, this would have resulted in twice as much UV radiation
reaching the earth in the northern mid-latitudes and four times in the south
with 1.5 million more cases of melanoma cancer, 19 million additional
cases of non-melanoma cancer and 130 million more cases of eye
cataracts. We have fortunately been spared from such scourge. In fact,
with the successful implementation of the Montreal Protocol the
atmospheric levels of Ozone Depleting Substances has been going down
and it is believed that with continued progress of the Protocol, the ozone
layer should return to its pre-1980 levels by 2065.
However, in order to phase out CFCs, it was decided to introduce hydrochlorofluorocarbons, also known as HCFCs, as an interim alternative.
Though HCFCs also contribute to global warming, yet they have lower
ozone depleting potential. Current global HCFCs consumption is actually
about 640, 000 tons per annum.
Throughout the years, there has been growing awareness of the dual threat
from HCFCs and, in 2007, it was decided that developing countries should
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speed up the phasing out of HCFCs by 2030. These countries have been
called upon to prepare a Hydro-chlorofluorocarbon Phase-out Management
Plan which is known in short as the HPMP. You may recall that during a
workshop, organized by my Ministry in January last, I announced that the
HPMP for Mauritius had been approved by Government and by the
Executive Committee of the Multilateral Fund to the tune of 1,4million US
dollar. The 5-year HPMP is now under implementation with the first phases
of activities to achieve the first control measure as from January 2013. This
will be done by way of freezing the importation of HCFCs to the average
level of 2009-2010. This will be in line with the worldwide appeal made by
Hilary Clinton last year.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Though their contribution to the global emissions of greenhouse gases is
very low, Small Island Developing States are among the most vulnerable
countries to the impacts of climate change. As far as Mauritius is
concerned, the impacts of climate change is becoming more and more
obvious as can be observed by the change in rainfall patterns, higher
temperatures and the accentuating beach erosions, just to name a few.
The impacts of climate change will be devastating for our biological
diversity, our environmental resources, for different sectors of the economy
and for our social well being if mitigating efforts are not put in place. In
other words, the survival of our planet is more than ever resting on
concerted efforts of one and all.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
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To celebrate this year’s International Ozone Day, with the theme
“Preserving the Ozone Layer for the generation to come”, my Ministry
is undertaking a series of activities to raise awareness of key stakeholders
on climate change and on the ozone layer through talks, distribution of
magazines and pocket books among others. My Ministry has also lately
been involved in a series of national, regional and global actions to promote
sustainable development.
First, as a Small Island Developing State, with limited resources and
capacities, Mauritius is fully conscious of the fact that individual actions
towards sustainable development can only work as part of a coordinated
international plan of action. In this context, Mauritius has ratified some 36
MEAs and Protocol. These include the Montreal Protocol and the United
Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.
Second, under the Montreal Protocol, as part of the implementation of the
HPMP, we have encouraged and supported the transfer of environment
friendly technology.
Capacity building on Ammonia, hydrocarbons and
carbon dioxide refrigerants has been delivered to engineers of both the
private and the public sector. Moreover, the chillers installed at New
Government Centre which were initially using CFC refrigerant, have been
replaced with ammonia.
Third, under the UNFCCC, the Africa Adaptation Programme, which is a
Japanese funded programme to the tune Rs 90 M, is under final stage of
implementation.
A climate change Bill is also being developed after
approval by Government last month.
Regarding adaptation to climate
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change in the coastal zones of Mauritius, Government has benefitted a
grant of Rs 270 M from the Adaptation Fund Board of the Kyoto Protocol
and my ministry is presently coordinating the project.
This will enable
major rehabilitation works to be undertaken in eroded regions such as
Choisy, Deux Frères/Quatre Soeurs, Baie du Cap and others. Through the
Maurice Ile Durable Fund, clean energy, namely solar and wind energy is
being promoted.
Fourth, under the provisions of the Environment Protection Act, namely the
EIA mechanism, the use of environment friendly refrigerants is being
imposed as one of the conditions for obtaining an EIA licence. Same is
being monitored and enforced by the EIA/PER Monitoring Team
Fifth, the on-line processing of applications for clearances for import of
HCFCs and other refrigerants is being finalized to ease importers and
relevant institutions namely the Ministry Health & Quality of Life, the
Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development as well as the
Customs Department to improve delivery of permits. Relevant public
officers and importers have been trained to that effect.
Six, some 60 activities have been undertaken to foster environment
stewardship so as to develop an environment culture and change the
mindset of the population and make them understand that environment
should be at the center of development.
Seven, the MID policy is in the process of being finalized to make of
Mauritius a work model of sustainable development
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To conclude, I wish to highlight that the phasing out of CFCs was a
remarkable success story for Mauritius in the African region. As mentioned
earlier, this had been achieved in advance. This performance was
rewarded by an award. Besides, technical and financial support from GIZ,
UNEP, Multilateral Fund and German Government, this success rests on
strong political will, leadership, active coordination, committed stakeholders
and competent enforcement officers. As recognition of their work, some 20
awards were delivered to organizations and competent outstanding
officers. My hope is that the spirit of collaboration among stakeholders is
maintained so that the phasing out of the HCFCs is also implemented with
the same dedication and commitment.
I am confident that the workshop will give a better understanding on ozone
layer depletion and on climate change. I wish you all fruitful deliberations
and I now declare the workshop open.
I thank you for your attention.
D.V
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