In this issue:

1. Massive Climate Opportunity Hangs in the Balance Sheet
2. Does the Ocean Influence the Atmosphere's Response to Ozone Depletion?
3. Removing Stubborn Fluorines Detoxifies CFCs.
4. Brazilian Première for CO2 Supermarket Refrigeration to Save 20% Energy
5. Polyurethane Industry to Completely Phase-out Use of HCFC Blowing Agents by 2030 (India)
6. Pakistan Committed to Laying off Ozone Depleting Substances
7. Keeping Cool Making Hong Kong Hotter
8. Ministry Employee Sold Fake Chemical Permits (Israel)

Special Announcement // "Road to Climate Friendly Chillers: Moving Beyond CFCs and HCFCs" a conference sponsored by UNEP and ASHRAE to take place September 30-October 1, 2010 in Cairo, Egypt. The main objective of the conference is to enhance the practical knowledge on state-of-the-art alternative refrigerants and communicate achieved results, successes and lessons learned. Read more...

GLOBAL

1- Massive Climate Opportunity Hangs in the Balance Sheet
Budget Shortfall Jeopardizes Phase-out of Harmful Refrigerant Gases
SOURCE: Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA ), http://www.eia-global.org/

2- Does the Ocean Influence the Atmosphere's Response to Ozone Depletion?
SOURCE: Geophysical Research Letters (GRL) paper 10.1029/2010GL043773, 2010
http://dx.doi.org/10.1029/2010GL043773

3- Removing Stubborn Fluorines Detoxifies CFCs.
SOURCE: Environmental Health Sciences, 17 June 2010, http://www.environmentalhealthnews.org/ehs/newscience/new-way-to-remove-
fluorines-detoxifies-chlorofluorocarbons

LATIN AMERICA AND CARIBBEAN

4- Brazilian Première for CO2 Supermarket Refrigeration to Save 20% Energy
SOURCE: R744.com, 2 July 2010, http://www.r744.com/articles/2010-07-02-first-south-american-r744-store-to-save-20-energy.php

SOUTH ASIA

5- Polyurethane Industry to Completely Phase-out Use of HCFC Blowing Agents by 2030 (India)
SOURCE: Smartech Global Solutions Ltd., 14 June 2010, http://www.plastemart.com/Plastic-Technicle-Article.asp?LiteratureID=1434

6- Pakistan Committed to Laying off Ozone Depleting Substances
SOURCE: Daily Times, 3 July 2010, http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2010%5C07
%5C03%5Cstory_3-7-2010_pg11_11

7- Keeping Cool Making Hong Kong Hotter
SOURCE: Macau Daily Times, 26 June 2010, By: Joyce Woo, http://www.macaudailytimes.com.mo/features/13665-Keeping-cool-making-Hong-Kong-hotter.html

EUROPE

8- Ministry Employee Sold Fake Chemical Permits (Israel)
SOURCE: The Jerusalem Post, 09 July 2010, By Ron Friedman, http://www.jpost.com/HealthAndSci-Tech/Health/Article.aspx?id=180911

_________
FEATURED
>> Latest from OzonAction
> 2010 Schedule of Network and Thematic Meetings, Read/Download a PDF

>> Ozone Secretariat - Highlights
> Decision XX/6, paragraph 10: Actions by Parties to reduce methyl bromide use for quarantine and pre-shipment purposes and related emissions - Information provided by parties
SOURCE: UNEP Ozone Secretariat http://ozone.unep.org/highlights.shtml

>> EVENTs
> ATMOsphere 2010 - International Workshop on Natural Refrigerants
http://www.atmosphere2010.com/article.view.php?Id=36

>>PUBLICATIONs - READING
> The Downside to the Recovery of the Ozone Hole, 1 July 2010, By Amanda DeMatto, Our Amazing Planet Conbtributor, http://www.ouramazingplanet.com/the-downside-of-the-recovery-of-the-ozone-hole-0317/

> Register Now for August Free U.S. EPA Informational Webinar on EPA Section 609 Field Enforcement
July 8, 2010 (Lansdale, PA)-The Climate Protection Partnership Division of the U.S. EPA has partnered with the Mobile Air Conditioning Society (MACS) Worldwide for monthly informational webinars throughout 2010. These webinars are focused on informing the mobile A/C community on environmental best practices for servicing mobile A/C systems and demystifying current and proposed regulations. Webinars that have already taken place are archived on the MACS website at this link:
http://www.macsw.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=MACS_EPA_Webinar_Series&Template
=/CM/HTMLDisplay.cfm&ContentID=6391

> Alexandria Ozone Workshop - Report on the Special training on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer, which was held at the National Institute of customs training on 7/4/2010 organized by Egyptian Ministry of Environment and the National Ozone Unit, in coordination with the human resources sector and capacity building. Read/Download PDF (Arabic Only)

In this issue:

1- Millennium Development Goals Report 2010 - The unparalleled success of the Montreal Protocol shows that action on climate change is within our grasp
2- Major Climate Decisions May Come from Ozone Treaty
3- Strawberry Pesticide Dispute has Implications Beyond California
4- Global Air Conditioning Systems Market to Reach 78.8 Million Units by 2015, According to New Report by Global Industry Analysts, Inc.
5- Ozone Depletion at 'Alarming' Levels (Indonesia)
6- Fluorinated Fire-fighting Foams Protect - Not the Environment Though (Germany)

GLOBAL

1- Millennium Development Goals Report 2010
"It is clear that improvements in the lives of the poor have been unacceptably slow, and some hard-won gains are being eroded by the climate, food and economic crises," UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon says in the foreword to the Millennium Development Goals Report 2010, issued on 23 June. But the report also cites big gains in cutting the rate of extreme poverty, getting children into primary schools, addressing AIDS, malaria and child health, and a good chance to reach the target for access to clean drinking water.

See below an excerpt from Page 54, related to the Montreal Protocol:

The unparalleled success of the Montreal Protocol shows that action on climate change is within our grasp


By 16 September 2009, 196 parties had signed the Montreal Protocol, making it the first treaty of any kind to achieve universal ratification. All the world's governments are now legally obligated to phase out ozone depleting substances (ODSs) under the schedules defined by the Protocol. This year-2010-marks the beginning of a world virtually free of the most widely used ODSs, including chlorofluorocarbons and halons.

Throughout the process, developing countries have demonstrated that, with the right kind of assistance, they are willing, ready and able to become full partners in global efforts to protect the environment. In fact, many developing countries have exceeded the reduction targets for phasing out ODSs, with the support of the Montreal Protocol Multilateral Fund.

Between 1986 and 2008, global consumption of ODSs was reduced by 98 per cent. Furthermore, from 1990 to 2010, the Montreal Protocol's control measures on production and consumption of such substances will have reduced greenhouse gas emissions by the equivalent of 135 gigatons of CO2.This is equivalent to 11 gigatons a year, four to five times the reductions targeted in the first commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol, the agreement linked to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change. Parties to the Montreal Protocol are now examining ways to use the treaty's vigorous implementation regime to promote even greater climate change benefits.

Without the action prompted by the Montreal Protocol and its Vienna Convention, atmospheric levels of ozone-depleting substances would grow 10-fold by 2050. The resulting exposure to the sun's ultraviolet radiation would likely have led to up to 20 million additional cases of skin cancer and 130 million more cases of eye cataracts; it would also have caused damage to human immune systems, wildlife and agriculture. For much of the world, the time it takes to get sunburned would have been dramatically reduced, due to a 500-per cent increase in DNA-damaging ultraviolet radiation.

Read/Download the Millennium Development Goals Report 2010

2- Major Climate Decisions May Come from Ozone Treaty
SOURCE: The Associated Press, 18 June 2010, http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5j8E8zMTH3oh-rTbOy7kIAKJU_pqAD9GDTPD81
Another related article from Fox News: http://www.foxnews.com/world/2010/06/18/major-climate-decisions-brewing-obscure-ozone-treaty-talks/

NORTH AMERICA

3- Strawberry Pesticide Dispute has Implications Beyond California
SOURCE: The New York Times, 19 June 2010, By Malia Wollan, http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2012161638_pesticide20.html

4- Global Air Conditioning Systems Market to Reach 78.8 Million Units by 2015
For more details about this market research report, please visit -
http://www.strategyr.com/Air_Conditioning_Systems_Market_Report.asp
SOURCE: PRWEB, 15 June 2010, http://www.prweb.com/releases/2010/packaged_AC_systems/prweb4131994.htm

SOUTH EAST ASIA AND PACIFIC

5- Ozone Depletion at 'Alarming' Levels (Indonesia)
SOURCE: The Jakarta Post, 14 June 2010, Adianto P. Simamora, http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2010/06/14/ri-ozone-depletion-%E2%80%98alarming%E2%80%99-levels.html

EUROPE

6- Fluorinated fire-fighting foams protect - not the environment though (Germany)
SOURCE: Umweltbundesamt Dessau-Roßlau, 10 June 2010, http://bit.ly/btvMXJ

___________
FEATURED
>> Latest from OzonAction
High Level Roundtable Dialogue on HPMPs HCFC in Male, Maldives, 9-11 June 2010
Click Here to View Related Videos
Read/Download Related Article: Maldives is Walking the Talk: Deriving Climate Benefits from Ozone layer Protection

Blog
Stone Age and Age of HCFCs, By Rajendra Shende, 29 June 2010, http://www.unep.fr/ozonaction/blog.htm

>> Ozone Secretariat - Highlights
30th OEWG: Draft decision on the endorsement of a new co-chair of the Environmental Effects Assessment Panel - Submission by the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland -
UNEP/OzL.Pro.WG.1/30/CRP.2 (E) - Advance Copy
SOURCE: UNEP Ozone Secretariat http://ozone.unep.org/highlights.shtml

>> EVENTs
ATMOsphere 2010 - International Workshop on Natural Refrigerants
http://www.atmosphere2010.com/article.view.php?Id=36

>>PUBLICATIONs - READING

How the UN Can Contribute to International Cooperation on Climate Change
Maria Otero, Under Secretary for Democracy and Global Affairs, U.S. Department of State
Speaking at the Ny-Alesund Symposium, Svalbard, Norway, June 23, 2010.
Among other topics addressed in her speech, the following is a quote related to the Montreal Protocol:
… "The UN has also played a strong role in addressing climate change through the Montreal Protocol. Under the Montreal Protocol, every country in the world, both developed and developing, is working together to preserve the ozone layer.
But the Montreal Protocol has not only put the ozone layer on a path to recovery, it has also achieved impressive climate benefits. Many of the ozone depleting substances it has helped phase out also have very high global warming potentials.
We have also joined Mexico and Canada to propose a phase down of HFC use significantly over the next decades, and thereby avoid large growth in their use as other ozone depleting substances are phased out. While the UNFCCC (triple C) retains jurisdiction over HFCs, we believe the Montreal Protocol is the best forum to promote practical action on this issue. The cumulative benefits of phasing down the use of HFCs under the Protocol could produce a savings of 88,000 million metric tons of carbon dioxide by 2050…"
Read the full text @ http://www.state.gov/g/143563.htm
SOURCE: The United States Department of State, June 2010

Small Island Nation Leads Push for Biggest Climate Opportunity of 2010
Goal is up to 209 billion tonnes of CO2-equivalent- Nearly 10% of total mitigation needed to stay below 2°C tipping point.Read the full text @ http://igsd.org/documents/PR_GenevaOEWG_21June2010_000.pdf
SOURCE: Institute for Governance & Sustainable Development, Press Release, 21 June 2010, http://igsd.org

ASHRAE Handbook: A Reliable Resource for Refrigeration,
Learn more @ http://www.ashrae.org/bookstore

Chemicals Classification: Indicators for Implementing the UN's Globally Harmonised System (GHS)
The United Nation's Globally Harmonised System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS)1 is an international initiative to standardise how chemicals are managed across the world. A recent study has proposed a suite of indicators which measure progress in implementing the GHS.
Over the years, a variety of systems have been used in different countries to classify chemicals according to their hazardous properties and to provide information about these hazards to chemical users. A single classification and labelling system, such as the GHS, can harmonise national systems. The GHS provides a standard approach to classifying chemicals according to their environmental, health and physical hazards and to communicating these hazards via labels and safety data sheets.
In the EU the new Regulation on the Classification, Labelling and Packaging of Chemical Substances and Mixtures2 incorporates the classification and labelling standards of the GHS. The Regulation also takes over certain provisions of Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemical substances (REACH)3 regarding the notification of classifications, the establishment of a list of harmonised classifications and the creation of a classification and labelling inventory. The GHS is a voluntary initiative and whilst the 2008 target date for adoption has passed, many countries have made significant progress towards this target. However, no country has fully implemented the whole system.
This study outlines a collection of suitable indicators that can be used to measure progress in implementing the GHS at country-level. It used an approach whereby the implementation process consists of two parts: policies and actions.
Individual countries need to develop national policies for addressing the GHS according to their own circumstances, for instance, the extent of their industrial development. Priorities should be identified for particular GHS topics, including legislation issues and awareness-raising. Sector-specific plans for the industrial workplace, agriculture, transport and consumer products should be co-ordinated under a policy framework for managing chemicals. These plans should be developed with input from relevant stakeholders, including government, industry and civil society, where possible.
A range of actions are needed when planning implementation of GHS at the national level: for example, regulations for the management of chemicals in all sectors or support for companies adopting the GHS which would increase opportunities for international trade.
Indicators and indices (aggregate indicators) can help decision makers monitor the effectiveness of the policies and actions taken in implementing the GHS. Global surveys can be taken using simple questionnaires based on the indicators, which provide information to develop country scores that measure capabillity to implement the GHS.
Indicators can be considered 'key success factors' for GHS implementation. One group of proposed indicators determine whether a country has the management capabilities to implement the GHS. These indicators relate to policies (governance structures and the multi-stakeholder approach) and actions (capacity building, information management and training) that are being undertaken or planned.
A second set of indicators can be used to determine the progress a country has made towards implementing the GHS. These performance indicators compare the current situation with defined objectives and goals. In addition, indicator scores could be used to help countries highlight specific areas that need strengthening.

1. See: http://www.unece.org/trans/danger/publi/ghs/ghs_welcome_e.html
2. See: http://ec.europa.eu/environment/chemicals/ghs/index_en.htm
3. See: http://ec.europa.eu/environment/chemicals/reach/reach_intro.htm

Source: Peterson, P.J., bin Mokhtar, M., Chang, C., Krueger, J. (2010). Indicators as a tool for the evaluation of effective national implementation of the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS). Journal of Environmental Management. 91:1202-1208. Contact: peter.peterson@unitar.org

Excerpt related to Ozone Layer:
… [The third revised edition of the GHS (published in July 2009) takes into account all these amendments which concern, inter alia: new provisions for the allocation of hazard statements and for the labeling of small packagings; two new sub-categories for respiratory and skin sensitization; the revision of the classification criteria for long-term hazards (chronic toxicity) to the aquatic environment; and a new hazard class for substances and mixtures hazardous to the ozone layer….]

SOURCE: UN Economic Commission for Europe, http://www.unece.org/trans/danger/publi/ghs/ghs_welcome_e.html

In this issue:
1- Summary of the 60th Meeting of the Executive Committee
2- HFCs: Is This the Year to Curb these Super Greenhouse Gases?
3- U.S. EPA Informational Webinar on New California Mobile A/C Rules
4- Belize Refrigeration Technicians (Licensing) Act 2010 - Passed
5- Pakistan to Phase out Ozone Depleting Substances
6- German Car Makers: Rather Protect Business Buddies than the Environment

GLOBAL

1- Summary of the 60th Meeting of the Executive Committee
Introduction
The 60th Meeting of the Executive Committee, which took place in Montreal, Canada from 12 to 15 April 2010, was attended by the representatives of 13 of the Executive Committee member Parties and by participants co-opted from 21 other countries (see attached list). Mr. Javier Camargo of Colombia presided over the meeting as Chair of the Executive Committee in 2010. The Executive Secretary and Deputy Executive Secretary of the Ozone Secretariat, the President of the Bureau, representatives of the implementing agencies, the Treasurer, the Co-Chair of the Technical and Economic Assessment Panel (TEAP), the President of the Implementation Committee, and representatives from the Alliance for Responsible Atmospheric Policy, Greenpeace and Institute for Governance and Sustainable Development also attended the meeting.

The 60th Meeting was the first meeting in 2010, the year in which the Committee would turn its attention fully to the phase-out of HCFCs and other remaining ODS. Members considered the finalization of guidelines for the phase-out of HCFC consumption and a number of issues regarding the phase-out of HCFC production and pharmaceutical grade CFCs for metered dose inhalers (MDIs). In addition to these and other policy items the Executive Committee followed its customary programme of work for the first meeting of the year including financial planning and consideration of the three-year business plans of the bilateral and implementing agencies, and agencies’ work programmes.

The Committee approved investment projects and work programme activities with a value of just over US $31 million, plus US $2.45 million in support costs for bilateral / implementing agencies, and took a total of 51 decisions including the approval of the first tranches of two HCFC phase-out management plans (HPMPs). The most significant decisions and discussions are summarized and are available from the Secretariat of the Multilateral Fund for the Implementation of the Montreal Protocol website at: http://www.multilateralfund.org/summaries_of_executive_committ.htm

2- HFCs: Is This the Year to Curb these Super Greenhouse Gases?
SOURCE: Switchboard - Natural Resources Defense Council, 9 May 2010, http://bit.ly/aL3Mhy

NORTH AMERICA

3- U.S. EPA Informational Webinar on New California Mobile A/C Rules
May 13, 2010 (Lansdale, PA)-The Climate Protection Partnership division of the U.S. EPA will partner with the Mobile Air Conditioning Society (MACS) Worldwide for monthly informational webinars throughout 2010 focused on informing the mobile A/C community on environmental best practices for servicing mobile A/C systems and demystifying current and proposed regulations. Webinars that have already taken place are archived on the MACS website at this link: http://bit.ly/cSvn2A
The next free webinar is Thursday, June 10 at 1pm EDT and will cover New California Mobile A/C Service Rules. Tao Zhan, Ph.d, Air Resources Engineer, Climate Change Mitigation and Emissions Research Section Research Division will be the guest speaker.
This webinar will introduce the relevant parts of California's upcoming new Low-Emission Vehicle standards and a current rule on small cans of HFC-134a. The potential impact of these regulations on the mobile A/C service industry will also be discussed. It is important to be aware of environmental regulations proposed in the state of California because California often leads environmental regulation for the rest of the country.
EPA field enforcement is the topic of the free July webinar being held TBA. More details soon and EPA field enforcement personnel will be the guest speakers. You can register now for the free June and July webinars. Visit this link to register directly for the webinars, https://macsw.ilinc.com/perl/ilinc/lms/event.pl?div_view=reg&event_user_id or e-mail Pam Smith at pam@macsw.org
SOURCE: The Mobile Air Conditioning Society (MACS), www.macsw.org

LATIN AMERICA AND CARIBBEAN

4- Belize Refrigeration Technicians (Licensing) Act 2010 - Passed
The Refrigeration Technician (Licensing) Act (No.1 of 2010) was recently endorsed by the Governor General of Belize. The Act provides for mandatory registration and licensing of refrigeration and air conditioning technicians in Belize and will regulate the practice of refrigeration and air conditioning services.

The Act will legally establish the Association of Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Technicians (ARACT) of Belize and let them manage their own business collectively and collaboratively, including the Certification and Licensing of Technicians through a transparent process.

For more information and for a copy of the Refrigeration Technicians (Licensing) Act, 2010, visit the Belize National Ozone Unit website at www.noubelize.gov.bz

SOUTH ASIA

5- Pakistan to Phase out Ozone Depleting Substances
SOURCE: Daily Times, staff report, 22 May 2010, http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2010%5C05%5C22%5Cstory_22-5-2010_pg7_43

EUROPE

6- German Car Makers: Rather Protect Business Buddies Than the Environment
SOURCE: BeyondHFCs, 28 May, 2010, http://www.beyondhfcs.org/press.view.php?Id=24

___________
FEATURED

LATEST FROM OzonAction
This section provides links to recent updates, services and more http://www.unep.fr/ozonaction/events/whats%20_new_2010.htm

BLOGs

"Sense of Direction: Columbus Way"
… In the workshop titled 'cooling without warming' [Bogota, Colombia, April 2010] participants from 12 countries discussed cooling technologies without use of HCFCs. In the conclusion, I said that there was no one technology that would fit all the needs; there is no 'silver bullet'. One has to view the technologies with the sense of direction and as per one's needs. We have to look at the technologies through our own perspective….
From a height of about 10,000 feet [Bogota's Monserrate hill] I saw below the valley covered by a carpet of lights. Thought came to my mind that it is a sense of direction that matters. Columbus missed and reached the destination that he never planned.
A blog written by Rajendra Shende, Head of the OzonAction Branch, in his personal capacity.
Available at: http://www.unep.fr/ozonaction/blog.htm

EVENTs

>> Thirtieth Open-ended Working Group Meeting of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer and preceding Seminar on Environmentally Sound Management of Banks of Ozone Depleting Substances, Geneva, Switzerland, 14 to 18 June 2010
Geneva International Conference Centre (CICG)
Rue de Varembé 17
1211 Genève 20 - Switzerland
E-mail: info@cicg.ch
Web: http://www.cicg.ch

> 30th OEWG: Annotations to the provisional agenda - UNEP/OzL.Pro.WG.1/30/1/Rev.1/Add.1 ( A C E F R S)

> Seminar on sound management of banks of ODS: Annotated provisional agenda - UNEP/OzL.Pro/Seminar.1/Rev.1/Add.1 (A C E F R S)

>> Indicative list of UNEP Ozone Secretariat meetings for 2010 http://ozone.unep.org/Events/meetings2010.shtml
>> Indicative list of TEAP/Technical Options Committee meetings for 2010
http://ozone.unep.org/Events/Indicative_List_TEAP_TOCs_Meetings-2010.shtml

PUBLICATIONs / READING

>> Geophysical Research Letters: Recent increases in global HFC-23 emissions, by S. A. Montzka, L. Kuijpers, M. O. Battle, M. Aydin, K. R. Verhulst, E. S. Saltzman, and D. W. Fahey.
Ozone Secretariat: http://ozone.unep.org/Publications/HFC-23_article_2009GL041195.pdf

VIDEOs-WEBSITEs

> Videos from the Asia Pacific Media Seminar on Ozone Protection and Climate Benefit, 24th May 2010 - Beijing. http://www.aibd.org.my/ozone/index.php?d=31&m=05&y=10&category=12

> Solarchill production in Swaziland http://www.dw-world.de/dw/0,,13279,00.html

In this issue:
1- Two alternative proposals submitted on HFC phase-down under UN Montreal Protocol
2- The chance discovery that averted ecological disaster
3- The Arctic ozone layer response to climate change
4- Senate Climate Bill: "Achieving Fast Mitigation" Through Non-CO2 Strategies (US)
5- Qtel Replaces Halon With 'Green' Gas (Qatar)
6- European Commission vs. Automotive Industry regarding the MAC Directive
7- HCFC Phase-out Management Plan (HPMP) Policy Dialogue Workshop (Belize)
8- Fiji - Protecting the Ozone
9- Picton holds protests against methyl bromide (NZ)

GLOBAL

1- Two Alternative Proposals Submitted on HFC Phase-Down Under UN Montreal Protocol
SOURCE: Chemical Watch, 4 May 2010, http://chemicalwatch.com/3709

3- The Arctic Ozone Layer Response to Climate Change
You can view the report by clicking here.
SOURCE: Beyond HFCs http://www.beyondhfcs.org/article.view.php?Id=187

NORTH AMERICA

4- Senate Climate Bill: "Achieving Fast Mitigation" Through Non-CO2 Strategies (US)
SOURCE: IGSD, 12 May 2010, http://igsd.org/documents/PR_ClimateBill_12May10_130pm.pdf

WEST ASIA

5- Qtel Replaces Halon With 'Green' Gas (Qatar)
SOURCE: Doha Time, 11 May 2010, http://bit.ly/dkNIs3

EUROPE

6- European Commission vs. Automotive Industry Regarding the MAC Directive
SOURCE: BeyondHFCs, 12 May, 2010
http://www.beyondhfcs.org/files/press/PR%20Parliamentary%20Question%2012%20May.pdf

LATIN AMERICA AND CARIBBEAN

7- HCFC Phase-out Management Plan (HPMP) Policy Dialogue Workshop (Belize)
SOURCE: Belize City, 29th April, 2010, http://www.noubelize.gov.bz/sites/nou-belize/default.asp?site=nou-belize&page_id=4EE11B7D-70FB-4C6A-9629-3D51FC01EA36
Additional Related Information:
The Refrigeration Technician (Licensing) Act (No.1 of 2010) was recently endorsed by the Governor General of Belize. The Act provides for mandatory registration and licensing of refrigeration and air conditioning technicians in Belize and will regulate the practice of refrigeration and air conditioning services. The Act will legally establish the Association of Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Technicians (ARACT) of Belize and let them manage their own business collectively and collaboratively, including the Certification and Licensing of Technicians through a transparent process. For more information and for a copy of the Refrigeration Technicians (Licensing) Act, 2010, visit the Belize NOU website: www.noubelize.gov.bz

PACIFIC ISLAND COUNTRIES

8- Fiji - Protecting the Ozone
SOURCE: Fiji Ministry of Information, 10 May 2010, http://www.isria.com/pages/10_May_2010_109.php

9- Picton Holds Protests AgainstMethyl Bromide
SOURCE: 23 April 2010, By Charlotte Tonkin, http://www.3news.co.nz/Picton-holds-protests-against-methyl-bromide/tabid/423/articleID/152521/Default.aspx
Watch related video @ http://www.3news.co.nz/Picton-holds-protests-against-methyl-bromide/tabid/309/articleID/152521/Default.aspx

___________
FEATURED

Asia Meets Europe
Joint Meeting of the Regional Ozone Networks for Europe and Central Asia (ECA) and South Asia (SA), Istanbul, Turkey, 26-30 April 2010. For first time, the Regional Ozone Networks for South Asia and for Europe & Central Asia met jointly to promote inter-regional cooperation between South-Asian, Central Asian, Caucasus and Balkan countries. The venue could not have been in any other place, since Istanbul is the only city in the world situated on 2 continents - Asia and Europe. The meeting allowed Ozone Officers from more than 30 countries to exchange their experience in phasing-out the use of ozone-depleting substances (ODS) such as CFCs and HCFCs widely use in refrigeration, air-conditioning and foam production. Read more ...

EVENTs

>> Thirtieth Meeting of the Open-ended Working Group of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol and preceding Seminar on Environmentally Sound Management of Banks of Ozone Depleting Substances (Decision XXI/2) in Geneva, Switzerland.

>> Asia Pacific Media Seminar on Ozone Protection and Climate Benefit 24th May 2010 - Beijing, China. Join international ozone, climate and media experts in a lively discussion about the role of the Asian media in covering "Ozone Protection and Climate Benefit." Get the scoop on the "hot" stories as the region prepares for the phase out of HCFCs. And debate how the Montreal Protocol is now a new climate treaty where developed and developing country agreed to legally binding commitments, and where additional funds are on the table to mitigate climate change, ahead of the next climate change conference in Mexico later this year. Learn more at: http://www.aibd.org.my/ozone/index.php

>> Indicative list of UNEP Ozone Secretariat meetings for 2010 http://ozone.unep.org/Events/meetings2010.shtml
>> Indicative list of TEAP/Technical Options Committee meetings for 2010
http://ozone.unep.org/Events/Indicative_List_TEAP_TOCs_Meetings-2010.shtml

PUBLICATIONs - READING

>> TEAP 2010 Progress Report - Volume 2 - May 2010

>> TEAP 2010 Progress Report - Volume 1 (Decision XXI/9 Task Force Report and "Final" Decision XIX/8 Task Force Report) – May 2010

>> The Ozone Secretariat posted new documents for the 30th Open-Ended Working Group meeting of the Parties to be held in Geneva, Switzerland. The documents are available from the Ozone Secretariat website at: http://ozone.unep.org/highlights.shtml
http://ozone.unep.org/Meeting_Documents/oewg/30oewg/index.shtml

>> Egypt MoE Signed a Cooperation Protocol with the General Authority for the Control of Exports and Imports and the Customs Department
(Text in Arabic only) http://www.eeaa.gov.eg/arabic/main/allnews.asp?Article_Id=1609
Contact: Dr. Ezzat Lewis, ozone_unit@hotmail.com
SOURCE: Egypt, Ministry of Environment, 29 April 2010

>> What Ever Happened to the Ozone Hole?
Brian Handwerk, for National Geographic News, Published May 5, 2010
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2010/05/100505-science-environment-ozone-hole-25-years/

>> HFCs: Case Study in Interconnections of Ozone Depletion and Climate Change
By Bill Dawson , February, 2010,
http://www.yaleclimatemediaforum.org/2010/02/interconnections-of-ozone-depletion-and-climate-change

In this issue:
1- NASA Study Sheds Light on Ozone Hole Chemistry
2- EPA Boosts Capacities of John F Kennedy Hospital in Sinkor (Liberia)
3- Take the Climate Protection Pledge (US)
4- Tougher Control of Ozone Layer Depleting Substances (China)
5- Settlers Museum's New Pest Remedy Leaves Bugs Gasping (New
Zealand)
6- Cricket Bat Industry Hit for Six (EU)


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Special Announcement: Developing Country Journalists Honoured by UNEP for Best Ozone and Climate Reporting - Paris, 22 April 2010, Earth Day - As the curtain is now fully raised on the world stage in which ozone depleting chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and halons are no longer produced, three journalists have received top honours from the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) for their reporting on ozone depletion and climate issues. Read more ...

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GLOBAL

AFRICA

2- EPA Boosts Capacities of John F Kennedy Hospital in Sinkor (Liberia)
SOURCE: the Liberian Observer, 22 April 2010, http://www.liberianobserver.com/node/5906

NORTH AMERICA

3- Take the Climate Protection Pledge - Get Recognition for What You are Already Doing Right! Click Here to take the Climate Protection Pledge! Honor Earth Day Everyday! Click Here to find out more.
Do you have questions about this program? E-mail elvis@macsw.org
SOURCE: Mobile Air Conditioning Society (MACS) Worldwide, www.macsw.org

SOUTH ASIA

4- Tougher Control of Ozone Layer Depleting Substances
SOURCE: (Xinhua), China Daily, 17 April 2010, http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2010-04/17/content_9742084.htm

PACIFIC ISLAND COUNTRIES

5- Settlers Museum's New Pest Remedy Leaves Bugs Gasping (New Zealand)
SOURCE: Otago Daily Times Online News, 29 April 2010, By John Gibb, http://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/101426/settlers-museum039s-new-pest-remedy-leaves-bugs-gasping

EUROPE

6- Cricket Bat Industry Hit for Six (EU)
SOURCE: EADT 24, 22 April 2010, By Craig Robinson
http://www.eadt.co.uk/news/cricket_bat_industry_hit_for_six_1_216395

In this issue:
1- A Giant Leap Forward Towards HCFC Phase-out Goal
2- UV Radiation Exposure Levels Stabilizing - New studies confirm previous investigations
3- WMO Celebrates 60 Year of Service to Human Safety
4- NASA's Unmanned Global Hawk Aircraft Makes First Science Flight
5- Aquastar Applies for U.S. Patent to Safeguard Ground-Breaking AC Refrigerant Technology
6- Four Asian Countries Pull Together to Combat Cross-Border Illegal Trade in Ozone Depleting Chemicals
7- Decision on Import Quotas for Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer - 2010/209/EU

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GLOBAL

2- UV Radiation Exposure Levels Stabilizing - New studies confirm previous investigations
SOURCE: Softpedia, 17 March 2010, By Tudor Vieru, Science Editor
http://news.softpedia.com/news/UV-Radiation-Exposure-Levels-Stabilizing-137709.shtml
Other related link w/video: http://www.physorg.com/news187966732.html

3- WMO Celebrates 60 Year of Service to Human Safety
April 8, 2010 - On World Meteorological Day, March 23, 2010, World Meteorological Organization (WMO) celebrated theme, WMO - 60 Years of Service for Your Safety and Well-Being. Event was celebrated by National Meteorological and Hydrological Services in 189 member states/territories. Achievements of WMO include alerts on thinning ozone layer/climate change and work on early weather warning systems. The Organization held ceremony at Geneva headquarters on this occasion.
Learn more @ The World Meteorological Organization http://www.wmo.int/worldmetday/message_10_en.html#top
Read Related Brochure: http://www.wmo.int/worldmetday/documents/WMD2009_brochure_EN.pdf

NORTH AMERICA

4- NASA's Unmanned Global Hawk Aircraft Makes First Science Flight
SOURCE: SPACE.com, 9 April 2010, By SPACE.com Staff, http://www.space.com/missionlaunches/global-hawk-first-science-flight-100408.html

5- Aquastar Applies for U.S. Patent to Safeguard Ground-Breaking AC Refrigerant Technology- Learn more @ http://www.aquastarcooling.com/technology.html
SOURCE: AZoCleantech, http://www.aquastarcooling.com

SOUTH ASIA

6- Four Asian Countries Pull Together to Combat Cross-Border Illegal Trade in Ozone Depleting Chemicals
Chalsa/ Bangkok, 7 April 2010- Thirty representatives from the National Ozone Offices and Customs administrations from Bangladesh, Bhutan, India and Nepal came together today to forge an alliance to tackle illegal trade in chemicals which destroy the earth's protective ozone layer and contribute to climate change. The cooperation was initiated at The Border Dialogue on Monitoring and Controlling Trade in Ozone Depleting Substances (ODS) taking place over the next two days in Chalsa, West Bengal, India.
All countries have committed to reduce consumption and production of ODS under the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer, notably chlorofluorocarbons (CFC) and halons, the production of which was terminated globally on the 1st January this year. However, these chemicals exist in the region because significant amounts of CFC-dependent refrigerators, air conditioners and other equipments are still in service. Although alternatives are available to service such equipment, the cost and incompatibility of some replacements can lead some users to seek out illicit supplies of the CFCs. The smuggling of these chemicals to satisfy this demand has posed significant challenges to border enforcement personnel.
"Due to the 2010 CFC phase-out, unscrupulous traders may try to challenge ban in the coming months recognising the potentially huge profit and often low risk from this illegal trade. To address these issues, UNEP has been actively promoting border dialogues among neighbouring countries and assisted in raising awareness, enhancing enforcement capacity and optimizing mechanisms for coordination at border crossings" said Mr. Atul Bagai, of UNEP's OzonAction Programme.
"Unified international efforts will be the key to the prevention of the environmental crime related to ODS smuggling" said Mr. Anil Bhatnagar, Director General, National Academy of Customs, Excise and Narcotics, Ministry of Finance, Government of India.
Following the one-day regional dialogue, a capacity building training will be held for the participating customs and enforcement officers in order to enhance their knowledge and skills in identifying and handling ODS.
"Solving the crisis of illegal ODS trade and minimizing its negative economic and industrial consequences require close cooperation among nations as well as collaborative industry partnership" said Mr. B.P Nilaratna, Joint Secretary of Ministry of Environment and Forests, India.
Dr. Sita Ram Joshi, Director General, Nepal Bureau of Standards and Metrology said "This dialogue will increase cross-border cooperation among Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, as well as encourage the development and the adoption of sub-regional solutions to monitor ODS traffic. It will certainly support the ODS phase-out programmes in this sub-region".
Representatives from the World Customs Organization's Regional Intelligence Office for Asia and the Pacific (RILO A/P); the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC); India's National Academy of Customs, Excise and Narcotics (NACEN); Department of Border Management of the Ministry of Home Affairs, India; INTERPOL India; Border Security Force and SSB India will share their expertise and experiences in environmental crime at this important meeting.
SOURCE: UNEP DTIE OzonAction, http://www.unep.fr/ozonaction/information/mmcfiles/6340-e-chalsa_PR2010.pdf

EUROPE

7- Decision on Import Quotas for Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer - 2010/209/EU
Commission Decision 2010/209/EU of 26 March 2010 on the allocation of import quotas for controlled substances for the period 1 January to 31 December 2010 under Regulation (EC) No 1005/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council (notified under document C(2010) 1907)
The release for free circulation in the Union of imported controlled substances that deplete the ozone layer is subject to quantitative limits as set out in Art. 16 of Regulation (EC) No 1005/2009. Following the receipt of information from companies intending to import or export such controlled substances in 2010, the European Commission has allocated import quotas for the substances and companies concerned. The controlled substances are: group I (chlorofluorocarbons 11, 12, 113, 114 and 115); group II (other fully halogenated chlorofluorocarbons); group III (halons); group IV (carbon tetrachloride); group V (1,1,1- trichloroethane); group VI (methyl bromide); group VII (hydrobromofluorocarbons); group VIII (hydrochlorofluorocarbons); group IX (bromochloromethane). This Decision applies from 1 January 2010 and expires on 31 December 2010.
SOURCE: Justis, The Law Online, 9 April 2010, http://www.justis.com/data-coverage/eu-bulletins.aspx?date=20100409
Read/Download the EU Decision from the Official Journal of the European Union
http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:L:2010:089:0013:0019:EN:PDF

In this issue:
1- Boundaries for Healthy Planet
2- Pallet Stamp ID Theft: Are Your Pallets Really ISPM-15 Compliant?
3- Toxic Gas Cited as Factor in Woman's Death
4- Afghanistan and UNEP Form Partnership against Smuggling of Ozone Depleting Chemicals
5- Saudi Arabia to Return to Compliance
6- French New Decree on Ammonia Use and Transport

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GLOBAL

1- Boundaries for Healthy Planet
Scientists have set thresholds for key environmental processes that, if crossed, could threaten Earth's habitability. Ominously, three have already been exceeded
By Jonathan Foley, Gretchen C. Daily, Robert Howarth, David A. Vaccari, Adele C. Morris, Eric F. Lambin, Scott C. Doney, Peter H. Gleick and David W. Fahey
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"Ozone Depletion,
By David W. Fahey, physicist, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Montreal Protocol under the Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer has reduced use of ozone-depleting substances-primarily chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and halons-by 95 percent over two decades. As of January 1, no more production is to occur in the 195 nations that signed the protocol. As a result, stratospheric ozone depletion will largely reverse by 2100. The gain has relied, in part, on intermediate substitutes, notably hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs), and the growing use of compounds that cause no depletion, such as hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs).
Ongoing success depends on several steps:
- Continue observing the ozone layer to promptly reveal unexpected changes. Ensure that nations adhere to regulations; for example, the HCFC phaseout will not be complete until 2030.
- Maintain the Scientific Assessment Panel under the protocol. It attributes causes of changes in the ozone layer and evaluates new chemicals for their potential to destroy ozone and contribute to climate change.
- Maintain the Technology and Economic Assessment Panel. It provides information on technologies and substitute compounds that helps nations assess how the demand for applications such as refrigeration, air-conditioning and foam insulation can be met while protecting the ozone layer.
The two panels will also have to evaluate climate change and ozone recovery together. Climate change affects ozone abundance by altering the chemical composition and dynamics of the stratosphere, and compounds such as HCFCs and HFCs are greenhouse gases. For example, the large projected demand for HFCs could significantly contribute to climate change. ".
SOURCE: Scientific American, April 2010 Issue, http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=boundaries-for-a-healthy-planet

NORTH AMERICA

2- Pallet Stamp ID Theft: Are Your Pallets Really ISPM-15 Compliant?
SOURCE: Materials Handling, 26 March 2010, By Chaille Brindley,
http://www.materialshandling.net/articledatabase/view.asp?articleID=3063

PACIFIC ISLAND COUNTRIES

3- Toxic Gas Cited as Factor in Woman's Death
SOURCE: New Zealand Hearld, 28 March 2010, http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10634898

SOUTH ASIA

4- Afghanistan and UNEP Form Partnership against Smuggling of Ozone Depleting Chemicals
23 March 2010 - Today an important partnership was forged to combat the illegal trade in chemicals which destroy the earth's protective ozone layer and contribute to climate change.
The partnership was cemented through the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the United Nations Environment Programme, Division of Technology, Industry and Economics (UNEP DTIE) OzonAction Programme, Afghanistan's National Environment Protection Agency (NEPA) and Afghanistan's Customs Department of the Ministry of Finance (ACD) at a ceremony held today at the United Nations Conference Centre (UNCC) in Bangkok, Thailand.
Afghanistan is facing an unprecedented challenge in relation to illegal trade and security. The smuggling of environmentally sensitive commodities such as ozone depleting chemicals can undermine the efforts of a country to protect the environment. Today's agreement establishes a framework for collaboration on customs training and capacity building initiatives for customs officers in Afghanistan. The partnership will contribute to strengthening environmental security in the country and enable ozone issues to be mainstreamed in Afghanistan's capacity building efforts.
"Despite the difficult and challenging situation in the country, Afghanistan has so far succeeded in achieving compliance with the Montreal Protocol that Deplete the Ozone Layer through its determined efforts to phase out ozone depleting substances (ODS). Monitoring the cross border trade in ODS has been the key success factor in accomplishing this" said Rajendra Shende, Head of UNEP DTIE OzonAction Programme. "Today Afghanistan has demonstrated to the world its determination to protect the ozone layer and has stepped up its efforts to prevent the illegal trade in ODS. UNEP will stand shoulder to shoulder and support Afghanistan in all these efforts", Mr Shende continued.
"ACD launched a Customs Academy in Kabul in January 2010. With the objective of improving and modernising the customs service, we are proud and ready to be part of this ozone capacity building initiative by developing a relevant training curriculum and monitoring the training courses, as well as collecting information on ODS seizures and illegal ODS trends" said Mr. Said Mobin Shah, Deputy Minister of Customs and Revenue, ACD.
"NEPA is expected to play a major role in environmental protection, especially in ozone layer protection. One of our key roles is to provide training to customs officers, including providing training materials tailored for Afghanistan, as well as information on the latest developments of the Montreal Protocol and other technical support related to ozone issues" said Mr. Mostapha Zaher, Director General of NEPA.
Porous land borders with neighbouring countries provide the major routes for the illegal ODS trade. In an effort to promote actions to curb illegal trade in these chemicals, UNEP DTIE OzonAction Programme has been facilitating border dialogue consultations between Afghanistan and neighbouring countries to discuss mechanisms to jointly address illegal trade issues. Following the ceremony today UNEP DTIE OzonAction Programme have organised a meeting between Afghanistan's National Ozone Officer, NEPA, ACD, and experts from India, Iran and UNEP to discuss the challenges of control and monitoring of ODS, and relevant issues common to Afghanistan and its neighbouring countries.
SOURCE: UNEP CAP ROAP, 23 March 2010,
http://unama.unmissions.org/Default.aspx?tabid=1760&ctl=Details&mid=2002&ItemID=8309
Listen to related Interview Radio Australia @ http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/connectasia/stories/201003/s2856847.htm

WEST ASIA

5- Saudi Arabia to Return to Compliance
UNEP and UNIDO recently embarked on a joint high level mission to Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia where they had extensive discussions with His Royal Highness Prince (HRH) Turki bin Nasser bin Abdul Aziz, the President of Presidency of Meteorology and Environment (PME) on Saudi Arabia's non-compliance with the Montreal Protocol.
The Action Plan to return to compliance, the need to strengthen the National Ozone Unit (NOU), ratification of Beijing and Montreal amendments and challenges of HCFC phase out, considering that Saudi Arabia is among the 10 largest HCFC consuming countries in the world, were the highlights of the discussions.
HRH Prince Turki assured UNEP-UNIDO representatives of his country's commitment to return to compliance.
SOURCE: UNEP OzonAction, 26 March 2010, http://www.unep.fr/ozonaction/archive_features.htm

EUROPE

6- French New Decree on Ammonia Use and Transport
French authorities have modified the 1998 decree ("arrêté") setting general prescriptions for ammonia use and storage.
In order to facilitate the introduction of ammonia as substitute in the replacement of phased-out HCFC systems, minimum safety distances have been reduced, but additional protection devices have been defined and will become mandatory.
Compared with the 1998 decree, a number of issues have been addressed, such as - Fire resistance of the buildings and fire fighting material;
SOURCE: Bulletin Officiel Développement Durable, Ministère de l'Ecologie, de l'Energie, du Développement Durable et de la Mer, en Charge des Technologies Vertes et des Négociations sur le Climat,
http://www.bulletinofficiel.developpement-durable.gouv.fr/fiches/BO20101/met_20100001_0100_0015.pdf