The success of the Montreal Protocol has led to the phase-out of 99 per cent of ozone depleting chemicals in refrigerators, air- conditioners and many other products.
This was brought to the fore as the Fijian Government and key stakeholders celebrated 30 years of national and international cooperation in the protection of the ozone layer and the climate under the Montreal Protocol with the theme “32 Years and Healing”.
This success was highlighted by the Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Environment, Mr. Joshua Wycliffe at the launch of the International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer 2019 today.
“Hydrochlorofluorocarbons, commonly known as HCFCs, have slowly decreased in production and consumption over the last 10 years and Fiji along with other countries continue to work towards the achievement of it phasing-out,” he said.
“The Department of Environment has continued to work with the Refrigeration and Air- conditioning industries and recently the Fisheries sector through training's, awareness workshop and equipment incentive programmes that will assist the industry in reclaiming, recovering and recycling ozone depleting substances.”
“Enforcement agencies like the Fiji Revenue & Customs Services have continued to support and work with my ministry in ensuring that border control is maintained and illegal trade of ozone-depleting substance is minimized and prevented,” he added.
Mr Wyclife also commended the industries and institutions for working with government to comply with the obligations Fiji has under the Montreal Protocol in the management of ozone depleting substances.
“I encourage all our stakeholders to continue with the work to ensure that Fiji adopts feasible alternatives that not only are ozone friendly, energy efficient and have low global warming potential but also must be economically feasible for our consumers,” he added.