NO OZONE AFFECTING SUBSTANCES BY 2010
In an urgency to meet the deadline of phasing out ozone depleting substances (ODS), the National Environment Commission is vigorously training stakeholders to take actions. A group of customs officers attended a training of trainer’s workshop organized
by NEC, in Thimphu yesterday, to help implement the ODS curbing strategy. This was done to enforce the requirements of Montreal
Protocol on Substances That Deplete the Ozone Layer of which Bhutan is a member. Ozone depletion is a serious issue given the fact that Bhutan is committed to maintain natural ecosystems and environment conservation. The issue was highlighted during the training session where participants were briefed on the Montreal Protocol, a protocol to the Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer. Paldon Tshering, National Ozone Officer of NEC said that Bhutan is obligated to phase out the ozone depleting substances by the year 2010. The main objective is, “to discourage the use of ODS substances such as Chloro-fluoro-carbons (CFCs) and other ODS used in refrigerators, freezers, air conditioning systems, firefighters and other cooling appliances and encourage the shift to alternatives and technologies that are ozone-friendly,” said Sonam Yangley, the Director General of NEC.
Bhutan’s status on CFC under the implementation of the actions of the treaty, Bhutan has been able to comply with the obligations
of the phase-out schedule, i.e. meeting 50 percent reduction of ODS by 2005, 85 percent by 2008 and complete phase-out by 2010.
Challenges and issues like technical capacity, best practices equipment, man power, ODS detector equipment and lack of lab facilities were also pointed out during the training. However, NEC is bent on meeting the challenge. “Customs officers, as a human being should be sensitive to environment, should be aware regarding problems in this area.Custom officers have important role in the international response,” said Nagesh Pathak, Additional Director of NACEN. He also briefed them on the safe handling of the ODS, transport and storage of ODS; skills to identify the ODS and ODS containing equipments and prevention of illegal trade of ODS.
The Director General said: “We hope that participate will be able to use the knowledge and understand the requirements.”
“Trainers will carry out the training for the national customs workshop and detail procedural steps for import/export of ODS consignments,” said Paldon. Bhutan signed the Montreal Protocol after it was ratified by the 82nd session of the National Assembly
in 2004. Hydro-chloro-fluoro-carbons (HCFCs) is also an ODS that needs to be phased out but has a longer phase-out schedule. For Bhutan, it is set for 2030. However, it is said that the HCFC related appliances are restricted for use.
Source: bhutantoday