Under the Montreal Protocol on Substances
that Deplete the Ozone
Layer, countries worldwide are taking specific, time-targeted actions
to reduce and eliminate the production and consumption of man-made
chemicals that destroy the stratospheric ozone layer, Earths
protective shield.
The objective of the Montreal Protocol
is to phase out ozone depleting substances (ODS), which include
CFCs, halons, methyl bromide, carbon tetrachloride, methyl chloroform,
and HCFCs. One hundred ninety-four
(194) governments have joined this multilateral environmental agreement
and are taking action.
The UNEP DTIE OzonAction Branch assists
developing countries and countries with economies in transition
(CEITs) to enable them to achieve and sustain compliance with the
Montreal Protocol. With our programme's assistance, countries are
able to make informed decisions about alternative technologies and
ozone-friendly policies.
The Branch has the distinction of implementing more than 1,000
projects and services that benefit of more than 100 developing countries
and 17 CEITs, plus other services that assist another 40 developing
countries..
OzonAction has three areas of work:
- Assisting developing countries
in UNEP's capacity as an Implementing Agency of the Multilateral
Fund for the Implementation of the Montreal Protocol, through
a Compliance Assistance Programme (CAP).
- Assiting CEITs in UNEP's capacity
as an Implementing Agency of the Global
Environment Facility.
- Specific partnerships
with bilateral agencies and Governments. The Governments of the
Czech Republic, Finland, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway and Sweden
have also provided bilateral support to UNEP over and above their
contribution to the Multilateral Fund to undertake specific projects.
UNEP's partnerships under the Montreal Protocol contribute to the
realisation of the Millennium
Development Goals and implementation of the Bali
Strategic Plan.
Awards
and Recognition
During the 20th Anniversary
celebrations held just prior and during
the 19th Meeting of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol
in September 2007, the UNEP Division of Technology, Industry
and Economics, its OzonAction Branch, and staff received
awards in the categories of: Outstanding contributors, Implementers,
Partners, Implementing Agency and staff, and Exemplary Projects
undertaken Pursuant to Article 10 of the Montreal Protocol
more details.
In May 2005,
UNEP became the first ever UN programme to win the
USEPA Stratospheric Ozone Protection Award. The prestigious
prize was awarded to UNEP DTIEs OzonAction Branch.
Announcing the award, USEPA praised the leadership
and innovation of the OzonAction Programme and said
it has benefited well over 140 countries through its
unique regional networks of National Ozone Units and global
information clearinghouse. Klaus Töpfer, UNEPs
Executive Director, commented, the appreciation of
the award panel highlighting UNEPs leadership and
innovation is not only rewarding but also encouraging for
our further work. The Montreal Protocol is succeeding in
its objective of phasing out the global production and consumption
of ODS, but there is still much work left to be done, particularly
in developing countries.
A Certificate
of Appreciation was awarded to UNEP (OzonAction Programme,
Ozone Secretariat, Multilateral Fund Secretariat) by the
President of Senegal, on 15 December 2005, for support to
African countries in implementing the Montreal Protocol
through UNEPs capacity building and technology transfer
activities.
On
4 October 2006,the Solar
Chill Project has won
the prestigious 2006 Cooling Industry Awards in the category
"Environmental Pioneer" for refrigeration.
Organized annually
by RAC
magazine in theUnited Kingdom, the Cooling Industry
Awards recognize developments of new technology and approaches
that protect the environment and make commercial sense.
The SolarChill Project
was one of 12 winners, alongside some of the world's biggest
retailers, major end users, and refrigeration professionals.
Solar Chill won the award for the "Environmental Pioneer
Refrigeration" category. The award ceremony
took place on 4 October 2006 in London
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