Sunday, August 25, 2013

Vietnamese updates: Vietnam initially succeeded in protecting the ozone layer (22 Aug 2013)


Vietnam initially succeeded in protecting the ozone layer 
Thứ năm, ngày 22 tháng 08 năm 2013 cập nhật lúc 00:07


 
September 16th every year is International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer. In this day, the world reiterated the importance of ozone layer, the influence of people on the degradation of the ozone layer due to the emission of hazardous substances that cause ‘damage’ to fragile ozone layer in the upper atmosphere. Looking back the past, Vietnam has achieved remarkable success in the gradual restriction of the use of ozone depleting substances.
Protecting the ozone layer is the responsibility of mankind. Therefore, the leaders of the countries all over the world had a meeting in Montreal (Canada), 195/196 countries have agreed to participate in the Montreal Protocol 1997 to eliminate the use of chemicals to deplete the ozone layer. The current goal of Vietnam and countries participating in the Montreal Protocol on substances that deplete the Ozone Layer is to gradually eliminate the entire of ozone depleting substances such as CFC, HCFC, HFC (chemicals used in Cooling mechanism of conditioning equipment, air conditioning, etc.). These substances have the potential to cause global warming thousand times higher than CO2.
Although in January 1994, Vietnam participated in Montreal Protocol, until January 2010, there is no longer any business in Vietnam using CFC (the catalyst has high affection in breaking ozone molecules) in cosmetics production. Cooling and air conditioning industry also achieve positive results with an average reduction of 3.6 tons of CFC 11 per year in the textile industry, 5.8 tons of CFC-12 in air conditioning used in cars and 40 tons of CFCs in commercial refrigeration equipment and appliances, etc. Vietnam has completely eliminated the annual consumption of ozone depleting substances, with about 500 tons of CFCs and 3.8 tons of halons. With these achievements, Vietnam’s efforts and contribution in the implementation of Montreal Protocol have been recognized by ‘Environment Program’ of United Nations.
According to the Montreal Protocol, in 2013, Vietnam has only consumed HCFC HCFC at the basic line level (221.2 tons). From October 2015 to the end of 2019, it has to decrease by 10% compared to the basic line level , 35% from 2020 and completely eliminate in 2030. The industry of equipment repair and maintenance is allowed to use HCFC until 2040. To ensure the compliance with the limits to eliminate HCFCs according to the Montreal Protocol, with the support of the World Bank, Department of Meteorology, Hydrology and Climate Change (Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment) has completed the construction of the project ‘National Management Plan for eliminating HCFC substances of Vietnam’. The project’s phase 1 was approved by the Executive Committee of Multilateral Fund with the grant of $ 10 million USD, being implemented since 2012-2016. Phase 2 of the project will be constructed and called for financing by the Department of Hydrometeorology and Climate Change in collaboration with the World Bank and in 2015. It is estimated that Vietnam needs 20-25 million more to completely eliminate HCFC.
The responsibility of Vietnam in the next years is t9bcompletely eliminate HCFC consumption. This process can be extended to 2030. To achieve this objective, from now on, Vietnamese Government is calling for people to join hands to protect the ozone layer by changing consuming behavior. Do not use conditioners containing HCFC-22 coolant with low price. Instead, use HCFC-410a. When purchasing household products, especially the kind using in a spray bottle, consumers should find the kinds with the label of "no CFC ". When painting house, paint by brush or roller, do not use a spray. Reduce the use of plastic foam packaging. If available, take advantage of it for many times. Businesses should not install new equipment using HCFC, they should use advanced technology from the beginning to avoid technology transfer, which requires international roadmap that has been approved.
However, according to Mr. Nguyen Khac Hieu, Deputy Director of Department of Meteorology, Hydrology and Climate Change: If receiving the full support of finance and technology from international organizations, Vietnam will have completed eliminating HCFC in 2025.

Mai Chi
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