Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Vol. XIII
In this Issue:
1- 27th Session of the UNEP Governing Council/Global Ministerial Environment Forum
2- South Sudan: Africas Newest Nation Signs an Agreement for Implementation of Montreal Protocol
Activities
3- Gambia: National Environment Agency Embarks On Nationwide Sensitization
4- The US EPA Releases 2012 Chemical Data Reporting Information
5- New Head of OzonAction Branch Visit the Asia Pacific Network
6- The Islamic Republic of Iran Deposited the Instrument of Acceptance to the Beijing Amendment to the
Montreal Protocol
7- Maldives Engages Media for HCFC Phase-out
8- Asia-Pacific TV Broadcasters Explore Ozone-Climate Links
9- Against all ODS - Asia-Pacific Countries Visit Holcim Indonesia for Destruction of Ozone-Depleting
Substances (ODS)
10- Montreal Protocol Enforcement Workshops in Asia
11- Turkey to Strengthen Legislation on Ozone-Depletion and Fluorinated Gases
12- Call to Ban Ozone-Depleting Gases Entering Europe by Sea
Special Announcement /
UNEP OzonAction Compliance Assistance Programme, Regional Office Africa
launched The Ozone Protection Award for Customs & Enforcement Officers
aimed at Recognizing outstanding contributions by Customs and Enforcement
Officers".
GLOBAL
th
40 Years of UNEP - Also, to mark the 40th anniversary of the organization, UNEP on
Thursday launched UNEP The First 40 Years, a book by award-winning conservationist
Stanley P Johnson covering forty years of UNEP's history. The book - which is not an
official UN history - charts the evolution of UNEP from its inception at the landmark
Stockholm conference of 1972 to its position today at the heart of the global environmental
movement. Excerpt [The book ranges across an extraordinarily wide front; from early
efforts to clean up dangerously polluted oceans, adopt urgent action to save the ozone
layer, prevent the harmful dumping of toxic waste, protect biodiversity and save endangered species and fauna, to
today's efforts to promote the Green Economy. The book takes the reader behind the scenes to witness first-hand
the role played by UNEP in complex and often-fraught negotiations resulting in landmark treaties such as the
Mediterranean Action Plan and subsequent Regional Seas Programme, the 1983 Convention on the Conservation
of Migratory Species of Wild Animals, the epoch-defining 1987 Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the
Ozone Layer, the Convention on Biological Diversity, and the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary
Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal] Read/Download
AFRICA
2- South Sudan: Africas Newest Nation Signs an Agreement for Implementation of Montreal
Protocol Activities
Nairobi, 20 February, 2013 South Sudan, the newest nation in the world, signed its first Montreal Protocol project
under the Multilateral Fund, Start-up funds for the country, at the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya on 20 February, 2013.
This comes a year after the country became the 197th signatory to the Vienna Convention and Montreal Protocol two multilateral environmental treaties designed to protect the Ozone Layer which shields the Earth from the sun's
damaging ultraviolet (UV) radiation.
The main objective of the Start-up funds is to enable the country to establish the national ozone unit (NOU) that will
coordinate Montreal Protocol activities and assist the Government to maintain compliance with the control measures
established by the Montreal Protocol on ozone depleting substances (ODS) and achieve the future reductions.
As the world in 2012 celebrated the 25th anniversary of the Montreal Protocol , South Sudan added momentum to
the remarkable achievements and success of the Montreal Protocol and Vienna Convention. South Sudan deposited
its instruments of ratification for the Vienna Convention and Montreal Protocol on 12 January 2012. The agreements
are the most widely ratified treaties in United Nations history, and have enabled reductions of over 98% of all global
production and consumption of controlled ozone-depleting substances.
The signing ceremony which took place at a side event during the 27th Session of the UNEP Governing Council and
Global Ministerial Environment Forum, was attended among others, by Hon. Lt. Gen Alfred Ladu Gore, Minister of
Environment Republic of South Sudan; Mr. Mounkaila Goumandakoye, Director & Regional Representative UNEP
Regional Office for Africa; Mr. Gilbert Bankobeza, Chief Legal Affairs and Compliance UNEP Ozone Secretariat; Mr.
Patrick Salifu, Regional Policy and Enforcement Officer, UNEP Regional office for Africa OzonAction/CAP; Mr. Paul
L. Demetry, Environmental Officer Ministry of Environment Republic of South Sudan; and Ms. Regina N. Nyangang
Gai, Minister Counsellor, Embassy of the Republic of South Sudan.
In his remarks, Hon. Alfred Ladu, stated that South Sudan, which became an independent country in July 2011, will
be vigilant in ensuring that they will speed up the process of ratification of the Montreal and Beijing amendments. He
further said, The Republic of South Sudan is absolutely committed to global environmental protection and
conservation of natural resources and we will now come up with ozone regulations and commit ourselves to raising
awareness of ozone issues to all stakeholders, mainly technicians in refrigeration and air conditioning sector,
customs and ODS suppliers.
To reinforce this commitment, UNEP will work closely with the South Sudan Government with the aim of assisting
the Government to speedily ratify the Montreal Protocol Amendments, said Mr. Mounkaila Goumandakoye.
This was undeniably a momentous occasion for UNEP and the Ozone community as the action echoes the strong
commitment of the nation and makes a significant landmark in history making progression of the Ozone treaties and
the United Nations, since measures to protect the ozone layer require global action in the unique status of universal
ratification of these treaties.
(Photo/from right: Hon. Lt. Gen Alfred Ladu Gore, Minister of Environment Republic of South Sudan and Mr. Mounkaila
Goumandakoye, UNEP Regional Office for Africa Director & Regional Representative sign the first Montreal Protocol project for
South Sudan (Left) They shake hands during the signing ceremony).
NORTH AMERICA
4- The US EPA Releases 2012 Chemical Data Reporting Information
On February 11, 2013 EPA released its 2012 Chemical Data Reporting ("CDR") on chemical production
and use in the United States. SOURCE : Lexology, 14 February 2013, By: Winston & Strawn LLP , Stephanie B.
Sebor and Eleni Kouimelis, http://bit.ly/13qoO7v
ASIA PACIFIC
5- New Head of OzonAction Branch Visit the Asia
Pacific Network
In a bid to strengthen and re enforce our collaboration and
cooperation with the Government of Thailand, the new UNEP
Head of OzonAction Branch, Dr Shamila Nair-Bedouelle paid a
courtesy call to the Ministry for Industry on Thursday 21 February
2013. Discussions were held with the Permanent Secretary
Dr Witoon Simachokedee, the Department of Industrial Works
(DIW) namely the Deputy Director General Mr Chumpon
Cheewaprapanunt, and the Director of the Treaties and
International Strategies, Ms. Somying Kunanopparat, as well as
the Ozone Team. The UNEP delegation comprised also Mr
Jonathan Gilman, Regional Coordinator, Inter-Agency and
Country Level Coordination, Ms Artie Dubrie, OzonAction Network
Coordinator, Pacific Island Countries and Ms. Pattra
Mahattanawongwarn of the UNEP ROAP CAP team.
The meeting pursued possible areas of work related to Montreal Protocol compliance and the services of the UNEP
Ozone Compliance Assistance Programme.
(Photo/From left to right:
Dr. Shamila Nair-Bedouelle, Head OzonAction Branch, UNEP, Mr. Witoon Simachokedee, Permanent Secretary Department of Industrial
Works Ministry of Industry, Mr. Viraj Vithoontien, Senior Environmental Specialist, EASER/Environment Department, The World Bank, Ms.
Somying Kunanopparat, Director of Treaties and International Strategies Bureau Department of Industrial Works Ministry of Industry)
Contacts:
Atul Bagai, Senior Regional Network Coordinator, OzonAction Programme, UNEP Regional Office for Asia and
Pacific. atul.bagai@unep.org
Miruza Mohamed, National Ozone Officer, Ministry of Housing and Environment, Republic of Maldives,
miruza.mohamed@environment.gov.mv, miruza@gmail.com
SOURCE: UNEP OzonAction
See also >>
Ozone, Climate and Media: Communicating for Survival National Workshop Ministry of Environment and Energy, Republic
of Maldives, 28 February 2013, http://bit.ly/YJEOhl
Contact:
Atul Bagai, Senior Regional Network Coordinator, OzonAction Programme, UNEP Regional Office for Asia and
Pacific. atul.bagai@unep.org
Geraldine Mouche, Programme Manager, Asia-Pacific Institute for Broadcasting Development, Kuala Lumpur.
geraldine@aibd.org.my
SOURCE: UNEP OzonAction
9- Against all ODS - Asia-Pacific Countries Visit the Ozone-Depleting Substances (ODS)
Destruction facility in Holcim, Indonesia
Jakarta/Bangkok, 20 February 2013 To tackle the growing accumulated banks of the ozone-depleting substances
(ODS) in the installed and existing ODS-based equipment and products that are slowly leaking into the atmosphere
and contributing to ozone depletion and climate change, developing countries are seriously exploring ways on how to
dispose these gases. As part of these efforts in the Asia Pacific region, sixteen participants representing industry and
governments from Bangladesh, Malaysia, Pakistan, Philippines, Sri Lanka, and Timor Leste undertook a three-day
study tour of the Holcim ODS Destruction Facility in Jakarta, Indonesia from 18 to 20 February 2013.
The study tour, facilitated by UNEP OzonAction Compliance Action Programme (CAP) in Asia Pacific with technical
support of the Government of Japan, and hosted by the National Ozone Unit of the Ministry of Environment,
Indonesia, is aimed at addressing concerns over the management and safe disposal of ozone depleting chemicals.
The activity is a result of network countries request during the Joint Network Meeting of South Asia and Southeast
Asia and the Pacific Ozone Officers held in October 2012, in Pattaya, Thailand.
Currently, Holcim Indonesia is the only existing facility that is able to destroy ODS among all developing countries in
the Asia Pacific region. As of now, Holcim has destroyed 19,000 kg of unwanted ODS from various sources. Holcim
Indonesia is assisting the Ministry of Environment to promote replacement of old ODS-based chiller and refrigeration
equipment with more energy efficient ones, and at the same time to collect the ODS for disposal, stated Ms. Emma
Rachmawaty, Assistant Deputy Minister for Mitigation and Atmospheric Function Preservation, Indonesia.
Holcim Indonesia, the country's third largest cement maker that has been
treating waste in their cement production process, volunteered to undertake
the retrofitting in one of its two cement kilns at Narogong in West Java to
develop the capacity to destroy ODS. Under the cooperation framework
between the Ministry of the Environment of Japan and the Ministry of
Environment of Indonesia, Engineering work on the ODS destruction facility
began in October 2006, supported by technical experts from Sumitomo
Osaka Cement in Japan.
Cement kiln is one of destruction processes to destroy ODS which have
been approved by the Meeting of Parties to the Montreal Protocol. As most
developing countries would have cement manufacturing facilities, the cement
kiln may be a cost-effective option for the destruction of ODS, said Mr. Shaofeng Hu, Regional Network Coordinator,
UNEP CAP Asia Pacific. It will be useful for the National Ozone Units to explore the possibility of retrofitting a
cement kiln in their country for ODS disposal if there are large quantities of unwanted ODS to be destroyed, Mr. Hu
added.
Modifications to the cement kiln for destruction of ODS may have three advantages: the costs involved are relatively
small, the modification yielded a large destruction capacity, and the facility could be used on demand.
During the three day study tour, the participants also brainstormed and discussed how to operate national ODS
destruction programmes, and identified the possible options and barriers to success.
Through this visit, our industry has a better understanding of the cement kiln option for the destruction of ODS. We
also learnt the valuable experience of Indonesia in policy and best practices on how to tap in Public-Private
Partnership for the management and promotion of the ODS destruction. It is very clear to us that a legal system
would be needed at the country level if we would like to sustain any national destruction programme said Ms.
Aminah Ali, Assistant Director, National Ozone Unit of the Department of Environment, Malaysia.
Contact: Shaofeng Hu, Regional Network Coordinator, OzonAction Programme, UNEP Regional Office for Asia and
Pacific. shaofeng.hui@unep.org
SOURCE : UNEP OzonAction
14-16 January 2013, Vientiane, Lao PDR: The UNEP OzonAction, Compliance Assistance Programme, Regional
Office for Asia and the Pacific kick-started this years Montreal Protocol Enforcement Training series with the TrainThe-Trainers workshop on Monitoring and Control of the Trade of Ozone-Depleting Substance in Lao PDR. Under the
auspices of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MONRE) of Lao PDR and the Lao Customs, the
three-day training provided A to Z on ODS control and combating illegal trade to 55 officers. UNEP OzonAction also
facilitated the participation of the Royal Thai Customs under south-south cooperation framework to share its
experience and strengthen their cooperation. The training was followed by experts visits in Savannakhet (Laos PDR)
and Mukdahan (Thailand) Customs checkpoints, which offered a unique opportunity between the two Mekong
countries to strengthen their cooperation on enforcement of ODS trade control.
2-4 March 2013, Male, the Republic of the Maldives: The Ministry of Environment and Energy of the Maldives, with
assistance from The UNEP OzonAction, Compliance Assistance Programme, Regional Office for Asia and the
Pacific, is currently conducting a workshop on the Montreal Protocol Enforcement in Male, the capital of this island
nation, as part of the national HCFC Phase-out Management Plan (HPMP). Maldives targets to phase-out ozonedamaging HCFCs - mostly used in their refrigeration and air-conditioning industry - 10 years ahead of the global
requirement under the Montreal Protocol. The three-day workshop will focus on the enforcement of HCFCs import
quota system, national integrated ODS monitoring system, and combating illegal trade of these chemicals, among
others. Contact: Amir Radfar, UNEP OzonAction, Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific, radfar@un.org
Ankara, 18 February 2013 - The Regional Ozone Network for Europe and Central Asia (ECA network) of UNEPs
OzonAction Programme jointly with the Ministry of Environment and Urbanization of Turkey and in cooperation with
UNIDO, Turkey, opened the Contact Group meeting on Ozone Depleting Substances (ODSs) and Fluorinated Gases
(F-gas) legislation in Ankara, Turkey, 18-19 February 2013. The overall objective of the meeting is to facilitate the
implementation of the HCFC phase-out Management Plan (HPMP) in Turkey through the adoption of suitable policies
and legislation in line with European Union regulations.
Turkey has ratified the Vienna Convention and the Montreal Protocol and its amendments and has phased out the
consumption of several ODSs well ahead of the Montreal Protocol schedule including chlorofluorocarbons (by 2008),
halons (by 2008), carbon tetrachloride (by 2007) and methyl bromide (by 2007). Todays challenge is the phase-out
of hydrofluorocarbons (HCFCs) in the refrigeration & air-conditioning and foam sectors from a baseline of 551.5 ODP
(ozone depleting potential) tones. Although the Montreal Protocol allows the use of HCFCs in Article 5 countries until
2030, Turkey aims to phase them out by 2015 (except for servicing needs). This is in line with policies in other
candidate countries to align with the European Union policies which have already banned the consumption of new
HCFCs since 2010. Turkey is also planning to adopt an F-gas legislation in 2015.
The meeting will review the existing and planned legislation on ODS and F-gases in Turkey and identify gaps and
areas requiring strengthening in comparison with the European Union regulations. It will also provide a roadmap
towards harmonisation with the EU for which Turkey agreed to implement by 2015 when the Environment Chapter
was opened with the EU Commission in 2009 for the accession negotiations.
UNIDO is the lead agency in Turkey for the implementation of the HCFC phase-out project and UNEP assists with
the training of customs and enforcement officers. As part of the activities of the ECA network, UNEP also provides
policy and legislative support.
Another meeting on training and certification schemes for refrigeration and air-conditioning (RAC) technicians will be
held in Istanbul, Turkey, on 21-22 February to facilitate the creation of training and certification schemes for RAC
servicing technicians.
Both meetings are thanks to the Multilateral Fund for the Implementation of the Montreal Protocol, with UNEP as the
implementing agency and organised in cooperation with UNIDO and experts from the European Commission, Poland
and Hungary.
Contact: pervin.dogan@csb.gov.tr, halvart.koppen@unep.org, s.yilmaz@unido.org
SOURCE : UNEP OzonAction Branch, http://www.unep.org/ozonaction/News/Features/2013/
FEATURED
Ozone Secretariat Highlights >>> http://ozone.unmfs.org/new_site/en/index.php
> MOP24: Report of the Twenty-Fourth Meeting of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete
the Ozone Layer - UNEP/OzL.Pro.24/10 - (A, C, E, F, R, S)
> Application of paragraph 8 of Article 4 of the Montreal Protocol with respect to the Beijing Amendment to the
Montreal Protocol (Decision XXIV/2)
> Dates and Venues of Montreal Protocol Meetings in 2013
> TEAP/Technical Options Committees Meetings- Dates and Venues for 2013
The Multilateral Fund for the Implementation of the Montreal Protocol >>>
http://www.multilateralfund.org
> The 69th Meeting of the Executive Committee will be held in Montreal from 15 to 19 April 2013
> Summary of decisions of the 68th meeting
> Report of the 68th meeting of the Executive Committee
> Montreal Protocol e-Learning Module - UNEP DTIEs OzonAction Branch and the World
Customs Organization collaborated to develop the Montreal Protocol e-learning module. This
interactive online training module, based on UNEPs Training Manual for Customs Officers,presents
the latest information on the international policy governing the control and monitoring of Ozone
Depleting Substances, as well as an overview of the technical issues including new information on
chemicals and products traded and how these may be smuggled. The module is periodically
updated to take into account the developments in international trade and provides new material to
reflect the changes in the Montreal Protocol, the Harmonized Systems codes, licensing systems and other relevant
information. Once registered, users of the Montreal Protocol e-learning module can follow the course at their own pace and
obtain a certificate after successfully completing it. The module is also ideal as an introductory course prior to attending
UNEPs Customs training workshops and is also a great refresher course for experienced officers.
Ho w to register - Customs and Enforcement officers: contact your countrys national coordinator for the World
Customs Organization to register: http://e-learning.wcoomd.org/hosting/Learning/Coordinators.pdf
or contact the WCO E-learning team: elearning@wcoomd.org
National Ozone Officers who wish to use the course: Contact your UNEP OzonAction Regional Office.
READING >>>
> The Montreal Protocol and the Green
Economy - The Montreal Protocol offers a
good example of how international cooperation in
solving a global environmental problem can have
significant spill over benefits that promote a
Greener Economy Click here to read/ Download
>
WMO
Antarctic
Ozone > Air Conditioning Systems Market - New Industry
Bulletins: 2012 - The World Research Report Published by Transparency Market
Meteorological
Organization Research - Albany, New York (PRWEB) 28 January 2013 Secretariat issues bulletins containing
information on the state of the ozone
layer in the Antarctic at roughly two
week intervals from August to November. The bulletins are
based on data provided by WMO Members which operate
ozone monitoring stations in the southern hemisphere and
satellites to observe ozone globally. Click here to
Read/Download
>
authorization). ECHA initiated a public consultation on SVHC in dernires adaptations ralises par les fabricants.
September 2012.
Par: Pierre Le Mercier, rdacteur en chef, La Revue Pratique du
SOURCE: Lexology, 19 February 2013, By: Francois
Froid Read more
Harrouet and Averil M. Edwards, http://bit.ly/XBBwMQ
> First Announcement and Call for Papers 5 International Conference, Ammonia
Refrigeration Technology, IIR Commissions: B2 with B1, D1. May 9-11, 2013, Ohrid, Republic
of Macedonia, Learn more > http://bit.ly/MOjcHD
> Final Conference CityChlor, May 16-17, 2013 Ghent,
Belgium The partners of the CityChlor project present the final
conference of the CityChlor project 9 partners from 4 European
regions worked together to develop an integrated approach for
pollution with chlorinated solvents in urban environments Learn more
> International Conference on IPM in Museums, Archives and Historic Homes, 5 - 7June 2013, Vienna, Austria
Click here to learn more
> The Latest Technology in Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Industry. Energy Issues and Climate Change
New Refrigerants, New European Regulations, New Plants, 7-8 June 2013, Politecnico of Milano, Piazza
Leonardo Da Vinci, 32 - Milano (Italy) Click here to learn more
> ATMOsphere America 2013 The Business Case for Natural Refrigerants in
nd
North, 2 edition, 17 - 19 June 2013, Washington DC, USA. Learn more >
http://bit.ly/X7DOEH
> Focuses on Research & Integrated Project Delivery: ASHRAE Announces Call for Papers for 2013 Annual
Conference, 22-26 June 2013, Denver, Colorado. The conference seeks papers on current research worldwide; core HVAC&R
applications and systems; and, featured for this conference, Integrated Project Design, Energy Modeling and Building Efficiency
Performance To submit a conference paper abstract or a technical paper and for more information about the tracks >
www.ashrae.org/Denver
> AIRAH Announces the Future of HVAC 2013 Conference, Calls for Abstracts
AIRAH is calling for abstracts for The Future of HVAC 2013 Conference to be held at the Docklands in
Melbourne over August 1314 2013. Learn more
- 2014 th
> 11 Fumigants & Pheromones Conference, Pest Management Around the World, 2 - 4 June 2014, Krakow,
Poland, Click here to view the Fumigants & Pheromones - Krakow Promotional Video!!
MISCELLANEOUS >>>
> Call for Contributions - The International Network for Environmental Compliance and Enforcement (INECE) is
preparing a Special Report on compliance and enforcement of climate change laws. The Special Report will
feature a collection of articles and practical case examples that highlight effective strategies for enforcement of laws,
regulations, and policies designed to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases and other climate pollutants Abstracts
of 150-250 words should be sent to Elise Stull at estull@inece.org by 8 March 2013 Learn more
> 2013 European Industry Survey on Natural Refrigerants
If you are an end-user or industry expert active or interested in the market development of the natural refrigerants
CO2, ammonia, hydrocarbons, water and/or air; and you have operations in Europe, SHECCO invites you to take the
industry survey. Feel free to forward the survey to your colleagues, partners, customers - anyone that might be
interested: http://guide.shecco.com/Natural-Refrigerants-European-Industry-End-Users.php
Please feel free to send comments/suggestions to: research@shecco.com
> Wider Application of Natural Refrigerants in Developing Countries Exclusive interview with Marion
Geiss, GIZ - At the ATMOsphere Europe 2012 conference in November 2012, hydrocarbons21.com spoke to Ms
Marion Geiss from the Deutsche Gesellschaft fr Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), which collaborated on
several... Click here to read the full interview from Hydrocarbons21, 26 February 2013
The United Nations Environment Programme Division of Technology, Industry and Economics (UNEP DTIE)
OzonAction Programme provides OzoNews as a free service for internal, non-commercial use by members of the
Montreal Protocol community. Since its inception in January 2000, the goal of OzoNews is to provide current news
relating to ozone depletion and the implementation of the Montreal Protocol, to stimulate discussion and promote
cooperation in support of compliance with the Montreal Protocol. With the exception of items written by UNEP and
occasional contributions solicited from other organizations, the news is sourced from on-line newspapers, journals
and websites. The views expressed in articles written by external authors are solely the viewpoints of those authors
and do not represent the policy or viewpoint of UNEP. While UNEP strives to avoid inclusion of misleading
or inaccurate information, it is ultimately the responsibility of the reader to evaluate the accuracy of any news article
in OzoNews. The citing of commercial technologies, products or services does not constitute endorsement
of those items by UNEP.
If you have questions or comments regarding any news item, please contact directly the
source indicated at the bottom of each article.
Prepared by: Samira de Gobert, OzonAction eGroup
Reviewed by: Shamila Nair-Bedouelle, Head OzonAction Branch, and Saiful Ridwan, OzonAction eGroup