United Nations(UN)’s International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer is annually observed across the globe on September 16th to create awareness about the importance of the Ozone layer in protecting the Earth from harmful rays of the sun.
The day also commemorates the signing of ‘Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer’ in September 1987.
International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer is also known as Global Ozone Day or World Ozone Day.
16th September 2021 marks the observance of the 27th International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer.
The theme of International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer 2021 is “Montreal Protocol – Keeping us, our food and vaccines cool”.
Background:
i.The United Nations General Assembly(UNGA) adopted the resolution A/RES/49/114 on 19th December 1994 and proclaimed September 16th of every year as the International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer.
ii.The first-ever International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer was observed on September 16, 1995.
Ozone Layer:
i.The ozone layer is the common term for the high concentration of ozone (Three Oxygen atoms or O3) that is found in the stratosphere between 10 to 40 kilometres above the earth’s surface. The stratosphere contains 90% of all the ozone in the atmosphere.
ii.The ozone layer observes the harmful UltraViolet-B (UV-B) radiation from the sun and protects life on earth.
Events in India:
The national and State level events of the International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer or World Ozone Day in India have been celebrated by the Ozone Cell under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC), Government of India since 1995.
Ashwini Kumar Choubey released ICAP, 1st of its Kind developed by MoEF&CC:
i.Ashwini Kumar Choubey, Minister of State, MoEF&CC released the Action Plan for implementing recommendations of the ICAP for thematic Area Space Cooling in Buildings.
ii.ICAP aims to reduce direct and indirect emissions.
iii.ICAP, developed by the MoEF&CC is the first of its kind in the world, to address cooling requirements across sectors.
iv.It also looks for synergies in actions that will reduce the cooling demand for securing environmental and socio-economic benefits.
Other releases:
- Study Report on the Cold Chain sector in India for Promoting non-ozone depleting substances and Low- global warming potential Refrigerants.
- Study Report on Public Procurement Policies for Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Equipment using non-Ozone Depleting Substances based refrigerants.
Montreal Protocol:
i.The Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer, is a multilateral environmental agreement that regulates the production and consumption of around 100 man-made chemicals which are referred to as ozone-depleting substances (ODS).
- This is the only UN treaty that has been ratified by all the 198 UN Member States.
ii.The Montreal Protocol phases down the consumption and production of the different ODS in a stepwise manner with different timetables for developed and developing countries
Multilateral fund:
i.Under Article 10 of the treaty, the Multilateral Fund for the Implementation of the Montreal Protocol was established in 1991
ii.The activities of the Multilateral fund are implemented by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), UN Development Programme (UNDP), UN Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) and the World Bank.
iii.Hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs), an ODS and greenhouse gases, are being phased out under the Montreal Protocol since they deplete the ozone layer.
Kigali Amendment to Montreal Protocol:
The Kigali Amendment to Montreal Protocol aims to phase out hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) by cutting their production and consumption. This aims to achieve an 80% reduction in HFC consumption by 2047.
About United Nations Environment Programme(UNEP):
Executive Director– Inger Andersen
Headquarters– Nairobi, Kenya
Founded in June 1972
