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By Joyce Mukucha recently in Darwendale
The government of Zimbabwe through the Ministry of Environment, Climate, Tourism, and Hospitality Industry’s Climate Change Management Department is making concerted efforts in phasing out hydrochlorofluorocarbons( HCFCs) and hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) to eliminate the production and use of these ozone-depleting substances as encouraged by the Montreal Protocol, a government official has said.
In the speech which was read on his behalf during the National Ozone Unit (NOU) media workshop in Darwendale this Thursday, the Director of the Department of Climate Change Management, Washington Zhakata said the implementation of the HCFC Phase-out Management Plan stage l was completed with stage ll being expected to commence.
“It is with pleasure that I address this gathering of media practitioners at this workshop on the implementation of the Montreal Protocol in Zimbabwe. The Government of Zimbabwe completed the implementation of Stage I of the Hydro-chlorofluorocarbon Phase-out Management Plan (HPMP) and applied for funding for Stage II HPMP implementation.
“I am happy to inform you that the Stage II HPMP Project was approved during the 86th meeting of the Executive Committee of the Multilateral Fund. The Stage II HPMP implementation will see the country reducing its HCFC consumption by 67.5% in 2025 and completely phasing out the use of HCFC by 2030,” he said.
Zhakata highlighted that HCFCs were still extensively used in refrigeration and air conditioning (RAC) in Zimbabwe indicating that his Ministry was working closely with different stakeholders to ensure the country complies with the HCFC phase-out schedules under the Montreal Protocol.
He urged the media to come up with strong recommendations that will enable a smooth flow of information on the implementation of the Montreal Protocol to all stakeholders.
The director added that the media should sensitise stakeholders on developments under the Montreal Protocol and help the country to remain in compliance with the Montreal Provisions.
“The Montreal Protocol is safeguarding the stratospheric ozone layer as well as the global climate system. We have therefore invited you, media practitioners, as our important stakeholders to assist in disseminating this information to the generality of the users of HCFCs so that they are not surprised when the total ban on imports of these substances comes into effect on the 1st January 2030.”
Importers, he said, were not fully aware of the provisions of the licensing system for importers of controlled substances and appliances thus the need for the media to disseminate information in relation to that.
“The NOU is always inundated with late applicants from importers whose goods will have been seized at ports of entry as aresult of lack of knowledge regarding the licensing system. It is your duty, media practitioners, to inform importers to submit the applications well in advance of shipment of goods to avoid unnecessary delays and heavy penalties.”
It has been learnt that to control imports of these controlled substances, the government introduced a licensing and quota system for controlling and monitoring trade in these substances.
The ministry is also working closely with Customs Officers of the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority to combat the illegal trade in these substances and a number of training workshops have been conducted for customs officers to equip them with skills and knowledge to combat ODS and HFC trade.
As part of efforts to reduce the availability of HCFCs as the world adopts HCFC alternative technologies which are ozone and climate friendly, Zhakata said his Ministry was conducting intensive training workshops for refrigeration and air conditioning practitioners on safe use of hydrocarbons throughout the country.
Speaking to journalists during the workshop, NOU Training Officer, Freeborn Taruvinga said training workshops for RAC technicians were conducted in Harare Rusape, Gwanda and Mutare among other cities to update participants on HCFCs control measures under the Montreal Protocol and activities to phase out HCFCs.
Taruvinga pointed out that the workshops were also aimed at introducing to participants the different types of refrigerants that can replace CFCs, HCFCs and HCFs among others. The alternatives include Hydrocarbons and carbon dioxide.
“About 2100 have attended the training and good refrigeration practices. The training focused on reviewing the advantages and disadvantages of the refrigerants as well as convincing the participants to adopt Hydrocarbon refrigerants as the best environmentally sound replacement for CFs, HFCs and HCFs.
“Those who attended are from the formal and informal sectors, servicing and manufacturers. Technicians from the informal sector still require mobilisation and training. In the manufacturing sector production, line technicians still require training on safe handling of HCs,” he said.
After training, Taruvinga highlighted, the technicians will then be certified and issued with identity cards. Improvement in the knowledge and skills of RAC technicians was pointed as one of the training benefits.
Taruvinga also said seconded Zhakata emphasising that it was of paramount importance for journalists to relay critical information and raise awareness on the adoption of ozone and climate-friendly technologies.
“It is important for you as the media to write on ozone protection issues and sensitize the public on adopting ozone and climate-friendly products.”
Some man-made chemicals used in a number of sectors such as refrigeration and air conditioning, foam insulation, firefighting, agriculture, among others, are responsible for the destruction of the ozone layer.
Once the ozone layer is depleted, it allows excessive Ultra-Violet radiation (UVR) to get to the earth’s surface. Too much exposure to ultra-violet radiation causes skin cancer, eye cataracts, immune suppression in human beings. Aquatic organisms, plants and synthetic materials are also affected.
The international community, therefore, adopted the Montreal Protocol on substances that deplete the ozone layer on the 16th of September 1987 to address this environmental challenge.
The Montreal Protocol strictly prohibits the installation of appliances using technologies that are already being phased out. In selecting new options, owners of RAC appliances are urged to consult experts or the Ministry officials so that they get the proper advice on proper options to choose from.
The workshop which was attended by journalists of different media houses came up with a list of requirements that will enable the media practitioners to effectively disseminate information on available technology options that are ozone and climate-friendly.
Members of the media suggested that for them to effectively disseminate information that educates people on the importance of adopting climate-friendly technologies, it was imperative for the ministry and its relevant departments to conduct more media awareness workshops, increase publication of regular environment updates in form of press releases, and introduce awards to motivate competition on story writing among other recommendations.