February 28, 2010: The ozone layer depletion is not anymore an issue discussed in world forum alone; today, every country in the world, including Bhutan, has agreed and signed the Montreal Protocol on Substances to reduce the impact on the environment.

In a recent training conducted by the National Environment Commission (NEC) on the enforcement of the Montreal Protocol on Substances that deplete the Ozone Layer, the participants were informed about the use of Ozone Depleting Substances (ODS) such as Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) used in refrigerators, freezers, air conditioning system, firefighters and other cooling appliances.

“There are many alternatives available in the market today that are none ODS, therefore new technology will overtake all other ODS using old technology,” said Peldon Tshering of NEC.

She added that most ODS production are being stopped and therefore purchase of ODS equipment will soon become redundant. Besides, the rules and regulations on the control of the ODS has been revised to make it all comprehensive and in line with other relevant organizations processes. 

The participants were requested to shift to other alternatives and technologies that are ozone-friendly.

 While there are ODS in the market, the current ban is applicable to the ones that have been identified as having more Ozone depleting Potential than the others.

In Bhutan, the Montreal Protocol under the Vienna Convention for protection of the Ozone layer was signed in August 2004.

All countries in the world are the party to this treaty.

The treaty addresses the depletion of the Ozone layer in our atmosphere, the consequences of which would lead to serious health and environmental damage. Under this treaty, Bhutan is obligated to phase out some ODS by the year 2010.

ODS are substances that harm the Ozone layer in our atmosphere that protects the earth from the harmful ultra violet rays coming from the sun. Therefore depletion of the Ozone layer causes many harmful effects to humans and environment.

Hydro-ChloroFluoroCrabons (HCFC) is also an ODS that needs to be phased out by 2015. But due to wide and varied uses as well as limited alternatives, it has a longer phase out schedule.

A Licensing System will be put in place to allow registered enterprise access to HCFC on a quota basis to keep in with the phase out schedule.

Since all developed countries will have phased out HCFC by 2020, equipment and availability of HCFC on the market will already be reduced.

“With the implementation of the actions under the project, Bhutan has been able to comply with the obligations of the phase out schedule, that is, meeting the 50% reduction of ODS as of January 2005, 85% of reduction ODS in 2008 and complete phase out of CFCs and others by 2010,” said an NEC official.