2006

19 December 2006

GLOBAL
1- Researchers gaze at cloud formations
Source: Science Daily, 22 November 2006, Quoting: United Press International. Read the article >>>
NORTH AMERICA
2- EPA reaches agreement with Tween brands on clean-air violations
Click here for more information on air enforcement program
PRNewswire/CHICAGO, December 4 -- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
SOUTH ASIA
3- Ozone-friendly inhalers for consumers in South Asia - Promoting phase-out and affordable alternatives
Colombo/Bangkok, 6 December 2006 - Asthma sufferers across Asia are set to get the benefits of a treatment that is not only good for their health, but also good for the environment. A strategic approach to the phase-out of inhalers that use Ozone Depleting Substances (ODS) and actions that South Asian countries can take, discussed during a meeting held in Colombo, Sri Lanka, 3-6 December, is expected to facilitate achievement of this objective.
These inhalers, commonly known as Metered-Dose Inhalants (MDIs), are used for the treatment of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), two very common lung diseases that affect an estimated 300 million people worldwide. The propellants used in MDIs are chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), an ODS controlled under the Montreal Protocol.
"Ozone-friendly alternatives for people who use these inhalers are now available in some developed countries like Japan and Australia. While many developing countries still import MDI, domestic industries that do manufacture MDIs are at various stages of adopting these new technologies. We should use this opportunity to plan for the adaptation to this technology change," said Ms. Gerda Merckx, Network Policy Manager, UNEP Division of Technology, Industry and Economics (DTIE).
Reports indicate that more than a quarter of adult population in developing countries suffer from COPD. There has also been a steady increase in the prevalence of asthma that ranges from nearly 1 per cent in countries such as Indonesia to over 30 per cent in the United Kingdom, New Zealand, and Australia.
"Given the prevalence of these diseases and evidence of their increasing numbers in developing countries, and the fact that they have committed to phase-out of CFCs under the Montreal Protocol, it is important that governments as well as the industries work towards not only CFC-friendly inhalers, but ensure that they are within the reach of the people who need them. South-South Cooperation in this regard needs to be promoted to facilitate transition to CFC-free MDIs," said Mr. Nimal Siripala De Silva, Sri Lankan Minister of Health Care and Nutrition.
The phase-out of CFCs in MDI was discussed recently at the Meeting of Parties to the Montreal Protocol, where the countries unanimously endorsed the need to support developing countries in their in their transition to ozone-friendly inhalers.
"Sustaining ODS phase-out needs strong political commitment. Sri Lanka through such commitments has been able to achieve its phaseout targets under the Montreal Protocol. It is also important for handling ODS and other chemical management issues under the SAICM framework to ensure optimal chemical management strategies" said Mr. Maithripala Sirisena, Sri Lankan Minister of Environment and Minister of Agriculture, Irrigation and Mahavali Development.
The meeting was organized by the Sri Lankan National Ozone Unit and Ministry of Environment and attended by environment and health officials and industry representatives.
Contact: Ms. Satwant Kaur, UNEP Regional Information Officer, kaur@un.org
4- Pakistan imported 135MT carbon tetra chloride against quota of 56MT in 2005: UNEP warns against over 38MT CTC import
Daily Times, Pakistan, 10 December 2006, By Sajid Chaudhry. Read the article >>>
5- Technicians get training on alternative refrigeration
newindpress.com, 8 December 2006 Read the article >>>
6- Freon phase out to save ozone layer
Philippines Information Agency, 20 November 2006, By William L. Beltran. Read the article >>>
WEST ASIA
7- Jordan participates in UN environment meeting in Bahrain
Petra, 6 December 2006, By: Imad. Read the article >>>
FEATURED READING >>>
- Report of The 50th Meeting of the Executive Committee of the Multilateral Fund for the Implementation of the Montreal Protocol
New Delhi, from 6 to 10 November 2006. Read/Download a PDF >>>
- UNEP Handbook on Critical Use Nominations for Methyl Bromide (Version 5) (Engllish) Read/Download a PDF >>>
- 2007 and 2008 Montreal Protocol meetings Indicatives dates/venues (revised 6 December 2006) (E) See full list >>>
- Antarctic Ozone Bulletins - The Secretariat of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) issues bulletins containing information on the state of the ozone layer in the Antarctic at roughly two-week intervals from August to November. The bulletins are based on data provided by WMO Members, which operate ozone-monitoring stations in the southern hemisphere and satellites to observe ozone globally.
Read Bulletin #6/2006 >>>
- Arctic Ozone Bulletin - The present report is the first WMO Bulletin that brings an update on the development of the Arctic ozone layer over the course of a winter/spring period. It has been prepared in collaboration with the European Ozone Reserarch Coordinating Unit, Cambridge, UK. Several contributions have been received from scientists who take part in the European Integrated Project SCOUT-O3. The bulletins are based on data provided by WMO Members that operate atmospheric monitoring stations in the Arctic and satellites to observe ozone and related parameters globally. The information is made available to the national bodies representing their countries with UNEP and that support or implement the Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer and its Montreal Protocol.
Download the 2006 issue /first joint WMO/EC Arctic Ozone Bulletin >>>
Note: The next Arctic Ozone Bulletin is planned for June 2007.

24 November 2006

GLOBAL
1- Montreal Protocol Multilateral Fund approves US$48 million for Projects
The Executive Committee of the Multilateral Fund for the Implementation of the Montreal Protocol held its Fiftieth Meeting from 6-10 November, in New Delhi, India. Among other issues, the Committee evaluated: the status of contributions and disbursements, balances and availability of resources, the 2006 business plan, cases on non-compliance, and the status of the multilateral funds accounts.
The Executive Committee approved a total of US$48 million of funding for projects and activities in 77 developing countries, which is expected to eliminate 3,371 tonnes of ozone depleting substances (ODS) consumption. The Executive Committee also considered challenges that the Montreal Protocol still faces, including the phase out of HCFCs, which have been rapidly expanding in developing countries in recent years, and the need for the environmentally sound destruction of ODS, which would be unrecoverable and unusable (IISD Sources and http://www.multilateralfund.org/
IISD MEA RS Bulletin - Issue No. 16, 16 November 2006
2- Montreal Protocol Parties Take Decisions on Key Exemptions
Over 550 representatives of governmental and non-governmental organizations and industries participated in the eighteenth Meeting of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer (MOP-18) in New Delhi, India, from 30 October-3 November 2006. MOP-18 adopted 37 decisions, including on: essential-use nominations for use of chlorofluorocarbons, and other issues arising out of the 2006 reports of the Technology and Economic Assessment Panel (TEAP); future work following the Secretariats workshop on the Special Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and the TEAP; nominations for continued use of methyl bromide under the .critical-use. exemption; difficulties faced by developing countries in manufacturing metered-dose inhalers; treatment of stockpiled ozone-depleting substances (ODS) relative to compliance; a feasibility study on developing a system for monitoring the transboundary movement of ODS; and key challenges to be faced by parties in protecting the ozone layer over the next decade. Parties deferred consideration of multi-year methyl bromide critical-use exemptions and options that parties may consider in relation to methyl bromide stocks (http://www.iisd.ca/ozone/mop18/)
IISD MEA RS Bulletin - Issue No. 16, 16 November 2006
3- Ozone Highlights from COP 12
From 6-17 November, a series of climate change meetings took place at the UN Office
at Nairobi, Kenya. The "UN Climate Change Conference - Nairobi 2006" included the second Conference of the Parties serving as the Meeting of Parties to the Kyoto Protocol (COP/MOP 2) and twelfth Conference of the Parties (COP 12) to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change. The following quotes are related to the Montreal Protocol:
TUESDAY, 7 NOVEMBER 2006
--- METHODOLOGICAL ISSUES UNDER THE PROTOCOL:
Implications of awarding CDM credits to new HCFC-22 facilities for the destruction of HFC-23: The Secretariat presented on this issue (FCCC/SBSTA/2006/MISC.11). ARGENTINA and the EU welcomed the decision by Montreal Protocol parties to assess measures to reduce production of HCFCs and to consider the influence of the CDM on HCFC-22 production in consultation with the UNFCCC Secretariat, IPCC and CDM Executive Board. Lambert Schneider (Germany) will conduct informal consultations….
FRIDAY, 10 NOVEMBER 2006
Ozone layer and global climate system: The SBSTA considered the IPCC/TEAP Special Report on Safeguarding the Ozone Layer and the Global System. Delegates were briefed on a recent meeting of experts on the extent of current and future requirements for the collection and disposition of non-reusable and unwanted ozone depleting substances in Montreal Protocol Article 5 parties (certain developing countries)
Read/Download a PDF
The International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD), November 2006
A daily coverage, highlights, and summary are available on the IISD website
NORTH AMERICA
4- Ailments Surge as Ozone Hole Widens
IPS News, 11 November 2006, By: Stephen Leahy* - Tierramérica,
(*Originally published Nov. 4 by Latin American newspapers that are part of the Tierramérica network. Tierramérica is a specialised news service produced by IPS with the backing of the United Nations Development Programme and the United Nations Environment Programme.)
5- EPA and Utilities Launch Initiative to Reduce Ozone Depleting Substances and Greenhouse Gas Emissions
ERC website
SOUTH EAST ASIA AND PACIFIC
6- Smuggling Ozone-Depleting Substances
Philippine news, 3 November 2006, By Rox Peña
FEATURED READING >>>
- Handbook for the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer (Seventh edition - 2006)
- Handbook for the Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer
(Seventh edition - 2006)
- Advance copy of the report of the 18th Meeting of the Parties (UNEP/OzL.Pro.18/10) (English)
FEATURED WEBSITE >>>
The President of India's web page on SolarChill Vaccine Cooler Handover Ceremony. On 1 November 2006, two SolarChill units were installed in the President's estate clinic.
Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, is the first buyer of the innovative and environment-friendly SolarChill vaccine refrigerator.
More Information >>>

GLOBAL
1- With 2006 Antarctic Ozone Hole Largest on Record, Governments Launch Review of How to Protect the Ozone Layer Over the Next Decade
2- President of India to Become First Customer for New Solar-Powered, Ozone-Friendly Vaccine Refrigerator
3- Summary Report of the Eighteenth Meeting of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer

15 October 2006

SolarChill Vaccine Cooler Project Wins Prestigious Industry Award
The SolarChill partnership has won the 2006 Cooling Industry Awards in the category
"Environmental Pioneer" for refrigeration. SolarChill is a multi-partner, public-private initiative that contributes to the implementation of the UN Millennium Development Goals. This publiclyowned technology does not use any ozone depleting substances or global warming refrigerants.
Information Note 9 October 2006 | UNEP DTIE OzonAction
GLOBAL
1- Canada's SCISAT satellite explains 2006 ozone-layer depletion
see also: Brochure, Canadian Space Agency, 6 October 2006
NORTH AMERICA
2- Protection of Stratospheric Ozone: Allocation of Essential Use Allowances for Calendar Year 2006
US EPA Federal Register, October 4, 2006 (Volume 71, Number 192)
3- Ford Dealers Fined $35,000 for Refrigerant Violations
Environmental Resource Center, 9 October 2006
SOUTH ASIA
4- Beijing 2008 Sponsors Want Games Ozone Friendly
GAMESBIDS.COM, 11 October 2006
WEST ASIA
5- Drive to Set up Ozone-Friendly Mall Corners
Gulf News, 18 September 2006, By Nissar Hoath
EUROPE
6- New Refrigerant from INEOS Fluor Developed to Meet Long Term Needs of the Automotive Air-Conditioning Sector
INEOS Fluor, Press release, 18 September 2006
FEATURED EVENT >>>
18th Meeting of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol,
30 October - 3 November 2006, New Delhi, India.
Access meeting related documents

30 September 2006

GLOBAL
1- Strong Winds in Upper Stratosphere Trigger Increase in Ozone-destroying Gases
Innovations-report | 29 September 2006
2- Antarctic Ozone Hole One of the Biggest
The Age Company Ltd.| 27 September 2006| By: Andrew Darby, Hobart
NORTH AMERICA
3 - US EPA Proposes New Refrigerants for Car Air Conditioners
Environmental Resource Center | 25 September 2006
Related Link: US EPA/ Alternatives/SNAP
SOUTH ASIA
4 - BOCOG's Effort to Protect Ozone Layer Hailed
The official website of the BEIJING 2008 Olympic Games - Games of
the XXIX Olympiad
[NOTE The Beijing Organizing Committee for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad (BOCOG) Construction & Environment Department and the UNEP DTIE OzonAction Programme under the Multilateral Fund are working together on a set of agreed "ozone-friendly" activities related to the Beijing Olympic Games. This cooperation takes place within the context of a Memorandum of Understanding between the UNEP and BOCOG that addresses wide cooperation on a range of environmental issues. The Division of Communication and Public Information is the lead entity within UNEP for this MOU.]
5 - Freon Out of Market in 2007
CCTV.com | 18 September 2006 | Editor: Ge Ting
6 - UNEP Tackles Ozone Depleting Substances in Afghanistan
The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), September 2006, By: Richard Provencher [Richard works for the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan, Office of the Spokesperson based in Kabul.]
EUROPE
7 - Ozone Set to Recover by 2049
Ekathimerini (Greece) |29 September 2006

Reducing the Health Risks for Children from Ozone Layer Depletion
New Ozone Education Pack Targets Primary Schools Joint
15 September 2006 | UNEP/WHO/UNESCO Press Release
Français | Español

30 August 2006

Global
UNEP/WMO Releases the Scientific Assessment of Ozone Depletion: 2006
18 August 2006 | UNEP/WMO Press Release
North America
Ozone-Friendly Alternatives Intensify Global Warming
21 August 2006 | Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA), Press Release
South Asia
Vietnam, Laos Look for Ozone Depletion Control
27 August 2006 | Vietnam News Agency (VNA)
Pacific Islands Countries
Ozone Hole Found to Affect Ocean Food Supply
21 July 2006 | ABC news online
Europe
Skin Cancer Fear Grows as Ozone Layer Gets Thinner
19 August 2006 | Hoovers.Com, Quoting: The Scotsman

15 August 2006

Global
Ozone Secretariat Releases Reports from Implementation Committee and OEWG Meetings
August 2006 | MEA Bulletin, IISD reporting services
Report of the 36th meeting of the Implementation Committee under the Non-Compliance Procedure for the Montreal Protocol
August 2006 | Ozone Secretariat
North America
Tessenderlo Kerley, Inc. Receives Label Approval on Metam Potassium
31 July 2006 | Business Wire
New Formulations Improve Sunscreen Effectiveness - Protective Benefits of Anti-oxidants Explored
27 July 2006 | American Academy of Dermatology
Recycling Old Refrigerators Saves Money and the Environment; New Online Tool Helps Consumers Calculate Savings on Refrigerators
31 July 2006 | U.S. Newswire
Asia
Ozone Layer Moves toward Recovery from 2020
26 July 2006 | Japan for Sustainability
West Asia
“Reef Mall” to host Nature Surprises Week
31 July 2006 | AME info
Europe
Efficient fridge recycling is essential
2 August 2006 | Processing Talk