The United Nations (UN)’s International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer or World Ozone Day (WOD) is annually observed across the globe on 16 September to spread awareness about the importance of the ozone layer and its depletion that leads to global warming and climate change worldwide.
- The Day also aims to promote actions to protect the ozone layer. This Day is also known as Global Ozone Day.
- 16th September 2024 marks the observance of the 30th International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer.
Theme:
i.The theme of International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer 2024 is “Montreal Protocol: Advancing Climate Actions”.
ii.The 2024 theme highlights the protocol’s mission beyond safeguarding the stratospheric ozone layer, and protecting people, the climate, and the planet.
Background:
i.On 19 December 1994, the UN General Assembly (UNGA) adopted the resolution A/RES/49/114, proclaiming the 16 September of every year as International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer.
ii.The 1st International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer was observed on 16th September 1995.
Why 16 September?
The date 16 September commemorates the signing of the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer in 1987.
What is Ozone?
i.Ozone (O3) is a highly reactive colourless, and odourless gas and is a special form of oxygen, unlike the Oxygen (O2) we breathe.
ii.It constitutes a small portion of our atmosphere, mostly found in the stratosphere (10-40 kilometers (km) above the Earth’s surface).
- About 90% of atmospheric ozone resides in this layer, crucial for human well-being.
iii.Stratospheric ozone absorbs harmful Ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the Sun, protecting life on Earth, and acting as “good” ozone.
iv.However, ozone formed from pollutants near the Earth’s surface (Surface ozone) is considered “bad” due to its harmful effects.
v.Natural surface ozone that occurs near the surface and in the lower atmosphere (the troposphere) helps remove pollutants.
Ozone Hole: The ozone hole is not technically a “hole” where no ozone is present but is a region of exceptionally depleted ozone in the stratosphere over the Antarctic.
Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer:
i.It is a key environmental treaty regulating the production and consumption of nearly 100 man-made Ozone-Depleting Substances (ODS).
- These chemicals harm the stratospheric ozone layer, which shields Earth from harmful UV radiation.
ii.The Treaty sets out a timetable for the phase-out of production and consumption of those substances, intending to eventually eliminate them.
- It is the only UN treaty to be ratified by all countries in the world.
iii.Some ODS in different industry sectors include Aerosols, Sterilants and Carbon Tetrachloride (CCl4), Foams, HCFCs (hydrochlorofluorocarbons), etc.
- From 1986 to 2023, global ODS consumption decreased by about 99%, with only 1% used for critical industrial processes where alternatives are unavailable.
Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer:
i.The Vienna Convention serves as a framework treaty for legal and practical action to protect the planet’s ozone layer. It was adopted on 22nd March 1985 and entered into force in 1988.
ii.The convention aimed to promote international cooperation among 28 signatory countries, concerning the protection of the ozone layer.
iii.On 16th September 2009, the Vienna Convention and the Montreal Protocol became the first set of treaties in the history of the UN to achieve universal ratification.
Kigali Amendment:
i.On 15 October 2016, the Parties to the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer reached an agreement at their 28th Meeting of the Parties in Kigali, Rwanda to phase down HFCs.
ii.Fully ratifying and implementing the Kigali Amendment could prevent up to 0.5 degrees Celsius (°C) of warming by 2100.
WMO Ozone and UV Bulletin 2024:
According to the World Meteorological Organization’s (WMO) annual WMO Ozone and UV Bulletin 2024, published to coincide with WOD 2024, meteorological conditions and a volcanic eruption influenced the 2023 Antarctic ozone hole, but recovery is ongoing.
- The ozone layer is expected to recover to 1980 values (before the appearance of the ozone hole) by 2066 over Antarctica; by 2045 over the Arctic and by 2040 for the rest of the world.
- The largest historical extent of the ozone hole, 28.4 million square km, occurred in September 2000.
2024 Events in India:
On 16 September 2024, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) organised an event to mark the 30th World Ozone Day 2024 in New Delhi, Delhi. The event was presided over by Ms Leena Nandan, Secretary of the MoEF&CC.
Key People:
The event was participated by Neena Pahuja, Executive Member of the National Council for Vocational Education and Training (NCVET); Rajashree Ray, Economic Advisor in MoEFCC; Valentin Foltescu, Officer in Charge of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP); Angela Lusigi, Resident Representative, India from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP); Aditya Narayan Singh, Scientist in the MoEFCC.
Key Highlights:
i.The winning entries of the National Level Poster and Slogan Competitions were announced.
ii.These competitions aimed at raising awareness about ozone layer protection and climate-friendly lifestyles to combat global warming, receiving 4,187 poster entries and 1,299 slogan entries.
Releases:
i.The 26th Edition of the Montreal Protocol: India’s Success Story was released; Action Plan for Implementation of Recommendation of India Cooling Action Plan (ICAP) for the Transport Air Conditioning Sector was released;
ii.The 3rd edition of News TRAC (Technicians in Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Servicing Sector), a quarterly news magazine for Refrigeration and Air Conditioning (RAC) technicians was released;
iii.A few guidebooks including “Sustainable Technologies for Cold Chain Sector, Sustainable RAC Equipment and Passive Cooling Strategies for Sustainable Buildings” were also released.
Key Points:
i.The Government of India (GoI) introduced the Indian Cooling Action Plan (ICAP) to phase out chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), major refrigerants that deplete the ozone layer.
- CFCs are about 2,000 times more potent than carbon dioxide (CO2) in terms of global warming.
ii.ICAP aims to eliminate CFCs by 2037-38, focusing on public transport and adopting low-Global Warming Potential (GWP) alternatives.
Achievements of India in Ozone Protection:
i.Comprehensive ODSs (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000 were developed and implemented under the Environment (Protection) Act 1986.
- It banned the use of CFCs and halons in new equipment from January 1, 2003, and the phase-out of production and consumption of virgin halons commenced in 2002.
ii.India accelerated the phase-out of production and consumption of CFCs from August 1, 2008, ahead of the Montreal Protocol schedule, except in pharmaceuticals.
iii.India achieved a 44% reduction in the production and consumption of HCFCs, surpassing the 35% target.
iv.The net contribution towards the reduction of direct CO2 emissions is 42,62,100 Million Tonnes (MT) of CO2 equivalent per year from 2020 to 76,97,600 MT CO2 equivalent per year by 2023.
