By Nesia Mhaka
Zimbabwe yesterday joined the rest of the world in commemorating the International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer, an initiative which acquaints the nation on the activities commenced to protect the ozone layer.
The commemoration day marks the signing of the Montreal Protocol which was signed on the 16th of September 1987 by a number of countries that were apprehensive about the depletion of the ozone layer.
World Ozone Day provides an opportunity to reflect on the progress that has been made towards the protection of the ozone layer and it serves as a reminder to decision-makers and the general public, of the need to protect this valuable shield that safeguards the earth and in the long-run, our lives.
This year, the Ministry of Environment, Climate, Tourism and Hospitality Industry commemorated this day in Harare under the theme “Ozone for life: 35 years of ozone layer protection”
The theme highlights the importance of the stratospheric ozone layer in protecting life on earth and how the Vienna Convention, signed 35 years ago has continued to prevent Ultra-Violet radiation induced illnesses and deaths.
Ultraviolet radiation are the portions of the electromagnetic spectrum which extends from the violet, or short-wavelength to the end of the visible light range to the X-ray region.
In a press release yesterday, Environment and Climate Minister, Mangaliso Ndlovu said the Government is now at the final stage in the ratification of the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol on the substances that deplete the Ozone Layer.
The Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol is an international agreement which was set to gradually reduce the consumption and production of hydrofluorocarbons.
“The Kigali Amendment entered into force on the January 1st 2019 and my ministry is making all the necessary measures to comply with its provisions even before we have ratified the amendment. So far, 102 parties to the Montreal Protocol have ratified the Kigali Amendment.
“As for the Government of Zimbabwe, the ratification process is at the final stages and it is my hope that Parliament will approve the ratification and we will deposit the instrument of ratification with the United Nations before the end of this year,” he said.
Minister Ndlovu also said that the ministry has already embarked on the enabling activities for the Hydro-Fluorocarbons phase down in the refrigeration and air conditioning sector.
“…About twenty (20) training workshops on safe use of hydrocarbon refrigerants have been conducted across the country and more than five hundred (500) refrigeration and air conditioning technicians have so far been trained.
“This has enabled our refrigeration and air conditioning technicians to be equipped with skills to work safely with ozone and climate friendly hydrocarbon refrigerants which are flammable if safety measures are not followed.
“Our Refrigeration and Air Conditioning technicians across the country have been provided with adequate tools to enable them to work safely with hydrocarbon refrigerants which are ozone and climate friendly,” he said.
Minister Ndlovu said according to the concerted international efforts, the ozone layer is expected to recover by the middle of this century and Zimbabwe has so far phased out 450 metric tons of Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs).
“The Government of Zimbabwe managed to completely phase out CFC consumption from a baseline level of 450 metric tonnes and now has reduced HCFC consumption by 35 percent from a baseline level of 340 metric tonnes.
“These reductions at national level, have contributed to the global efforts to preserve the ozone layer and the global climate system,” he said.
