Date | Sept 16, 2019:

16th of September is annually celebrated as the World Ozone Day since 1994. This day was designated as World Ozone Day by a declaration which was made by the United Nations on December 19, 2000. It was done to commemorate the signing of the Montreal Protocol against the depletion of the ozone layer in the year 1987. This day plays a very crucial role as it acts as a platform to discuss with students, friends, family, people and acquaintances in terms of contributing their share towards the well-being of our planet ‘Earth’ through our efforts to limit the production and release of harmful gases that are the major cause of ozone layer depletion.

The theme for this year World Ozone Day is: "32 Years and Healing"

The theme for this year celebrates over three decades of remarkable international cooperation to protect the ozone layer and the climate under the Montreal Protocol. It reminds us that we must keep up the momentum to ensure healthy people and a healthy planet.

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.

The latest Scientific Assessment of Ozone Depletion completed in 2018, shows that, as a result, parts of the ozone layer have recovered at a rate of 1-3% per decade since 2000. At projected rates, Northern Hemisphere and mid-latitude ozone will heal completely by the 2030s. The Southern Hemisphere will follow in the 2050s and Polar Regions by 2060. Ozone layer protection efforts have also contributed to the fight against climate change by averting an estimated 135 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions, from 1990 to 2010.

Aiming at protecting the climate and the ozone layer, in October of 2016, during the 28th Meeting of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer in Kigali/Rwanda, more than 170 countries agreed to amend the Protocol. The Kigali Amendment aims for the phase-down of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) by cutting their production and consumption. Given their zero impact on the depletion of the ozone layer, HFCs are currently used as replacements of hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) and chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), however they are powerful greenhouse gases. With the Kigali Amendment, the Montreal Protocol will be an even more powerful instrument against global warming. The amendment will enter into force on 1 January 2019, provided it has been ratified by at least 20 parties. The goal is to achieve over 80% reduction in HFC consumption by 2047. The impact of the amendment will avoid up to 0.5 °C increase in global temperature by the end of the century.

UNIDO is perfectly positioned to assist developing countries and countries with economy in transition to shift from HFCs to ozone- and climate-friendly alternatives and to improve energy efficiency. UNIDO specializes in the transfer to substances with low or zero global warming potential, as well as the safe management of flammable substances. We are experienced in promoting energy efficiency, and introducing low-carbon and low-emission technologies and practices.

On this World Ozone Day, we can celebrate our success. But we must all push to keep hold of these gains, in particular by remaining vigilant and tackling any illegal sources of ozone-depleting substances as they arise. We must also wholeheartedly support the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol, which entered into force on 1 January 2019. By phasing down hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), which are potent climate-warming gases, this amendment can avoid up to 0.4°C of global temperature rise by the end of the century, while continuing to protect the ozone layer. And by combining action to phase-down HFCs with energy efficiency improvements in the cooling industry, we can achieve bigger climate benefits.

Let’s keep on working and healing together!

IIT(ISM) ENVIS Centre of Department of Environmental Science & Engineering this year also celebrated World Ozone Day, along with the GSDP 2019 Certificate Course Participants.Various events such as Speech, Poem Recitation and PPT Presentation were organized. Awareness Posters, PPT concerned to Ozone Layer Preservation and short videos were show during the Programme. Refrigerant Identifier Video Series consisting of 10 short instructional videos were also shown during the Programme.

Glimpses from
World Ozone Day 2019 Celebration

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