The Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone
Layer was signed on 22 March, 1985 and the Montreal Protocol on
Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer was signed on 16 September, 1987
to protect the ozone layer. Since 1995, this day is celebrated every
year as the International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer
and commemorates the date of signing of the Montreal Protocol. This
year being the 25th Anniversary of the Montreal Protocol, it has been
decided to celebrate the International Day for the Preservation of the
Ozone Layer on 13th September, 2012.
The Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer has
been recognized as the most successful international environment treaty
in history. Another testimony to its remarkable accomplishments, the
Montreal Protocol has received universal ratification; all countries in
the world have now ratified this landmark agreement. This brings
together the whole international community to protect the ozone layer.
The Protocol was the culmination of decades of research, which
established that chemicals containing chlorine and bromine released in
the atmosphere could damage the ozone layer. A depleted ozone layer in
the stratosphere allows the Ultraviolet (UV-B) rays of the sun to reach
the earth exposing mankind, flora and fauna to its harmful effects.
According to the World Health Organization, each year between 12 to 15
million people become blind from cataracts worldwide, of which upto 20%
may be caused or enhanced by sun exposure.
Initially on the basis of very definite empirical findings, the Protocol
enjoined upon all the signatory nations to completely phase out the
major Ozone Depleting Substances (ODSs) such as Chlorofluorocarbons
(CFCs), Halons and Carbon-tetrachloride (CTC) in a given time schedule.
Later, other studies have brought more ODSs such as
Hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) and Methyl-Bromide under the ambit of
the Protocol for phasing out within the given deadlines.
The Montreal Protocol which is in operation for twenty five years had an
extraordinary international cooperation and has led to complete
phase-out of production and consumption of several ODSs. As of 1st
January, 2010, the production and consumption of major ODSs like CFCs,
CTC and halons have already been phased out globally. This has not only
protected the stratospheric ozone but it has also immensely benefitted
the climate system. The ODSs are potent Green House Gases (GHGs) and
these gases were not included in Kyoto basket of gases for emission
controls. As per expert estimates, from 1st January, 2010 GHG emissions
have been reduced by 11 Giga tonnes CO2 equivalent per year through its
ODS phase-out activities which amounts to 5-6 times reduction targets
by the Kyoto Protocol during first commitment period of 2008-2012.
India, being a Party to the Vienna Convention for the Protection of the
Ozone Layer and the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the
Ozone Layer, have been sharing the global concern for protecting the
ozone layer and phasing out of the ODSs. These substances are used in
industrial and pharmaceutical aerosols, refrigeration and
air-conditioning equipments, foam manufacturing, fire extinguishing
equipment, metal-cleaning, garment cleaning, soil fumigation and
quarantine and pre-shipment applications etc.
Since 1993 with the continued efforts made by stakeholders responsible
for implementation of the Montreal Protocol activities, India has
successfully phased-out the production and consumption of CFCs, CTC and
halons as of 1st January, 2010 except the use of pharmaceutical grade
CFCs in manufacturing of Metered Dose Inhalers (MDIs) for treatment of
Asthma, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and other
respiratory ailments under the Essential Use Nomination (EUN) provisions
of the Montreal Protocol.
India proactively ceased the production and consumption of CFCs from 1st
August, 2008, 17 months ahead of schedule of the Montreal Protocol.
However, adequate steps were taken to ensure the supply of
pharmaceutical grade CFCs for the critical sector especially for
manufacturing of MDIs for Asthma and COPD patients in our country
through EUN provisions of the Protocol especially during the transition
period. India got it approved of 343.6 MT of pharmaceutical grade CFCs
for 2010 for manufacturing of MDIs in the country. The Indian MDI
manufacturers have made an excellent progress in developing CFC-free
formulations for most of the MDIs and now only CFC-free MDIs are
supplied in the domestic market. As a result, India in consultation with
MDI manufacturers decided not to seek EUN of pharmaceutical grade CFCs
for 2011 and beyond.
Recognizing the success of the Montreal Protocol in phasing out the ODSs
like CTC, CFC and halons, the 19th Meeting of the Parties (MOP) held in
September, 2007 had taken a decision to advance the phase-out of HCFCs
by 10 years. The baseline for production and consumption of HCFCs has
been established based on the average of production and consumption for
the years 2009 and 2010 respectively. The freeze will be in 2013 on the
baseline level and 10% reduction from the baseline in 2015 for stage–I
reduction as per the accelerated phase-out schedule.
The HCFC Phase-out Management Plan (HPMP) was prepared in close
cooperation with the industry, concerned industry associations, research
institutions, institutional user organizations, NGOs etc. The Sectoral
Working Groups Meeting was organized in September 2009. A Roadmap to
Phase-out HCFCs in India was launched in October, 2009. Subsequently, a
two-day Stakeholders Workshop on HCFCs was also organized in October,
2011 for finalization of sectroal strategy and overarching HPMP Stage-I.
The HPMP Stage-I has been approved by the Executive Committee (Ex-Com)
of the Multilateral Fund (MLF) for Implementation of the Montreal
Protocol in its 66th Meeting for the period 2012-2015 to meet the 2013
and 2015 phase-out targets by reducing 341.77 ODP tonnes of HCFCs from
the starting point of 1691.25 ODP tonnes.
The Government of India has also taken a number of policy measures, both
fiscal and regulatory, to encourage early adoption of new technologies
by existing and new enterprises. The Customs and Excise duty exemption
is granted on capital goods required to implement ODS phase out projects
funded by the MLF and these physical incentives are also extended for
new industrial establishments and expansion of existing capacities using
non-ODS technologies. The Ozone Depleting Substances (Regulation and
Control) Rules, 2000 regulating ODS production, consumption and trade
have also been put in place. These Rules are being enforced under the
Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 with effect from 19th July, 2000.
These Rules have been, further, amended from time to time to facilitate
execution of national phase-out plans so as to meet the reduction
targets as specified in the Protocol.
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