Hailed as the most successful treaty in UN history - for achieving universal ratification and meeting its targets ahead of schedule, the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer will celebrate its 25th anniversary on 16 September.
The Protocol, which was ratified by 197
countries, has enabled reductions of over 98 per cent of all global production
and consumption of controlled ozone-depleting substances.
The Protocol also oversaw the global
phase-out of chlorofluorocarbon (CFCs) by 2010.
Global observations have verified that
atmospheric levels of key ozone depleting substances are going down and it is
believed that with implementation of the Protocol's provisions the ozone layer
should return to pre-1980 levels by 2050 to 2075;
Thanks to controls implemented under the
Protocol, the global community will be spared millions of cases of skin cancer
and cataract - in addition to trillions of dollars in health care.
Direct health care savings in the US alone is
estimated at USD $4.2 trillion.
Globally, the Protocol is estimated to have
prevented 19 million more cases of non-melanoma cancer, 1.5 million more cases
of melanoma cancer and 130 million more cases of eye cataracts.
Action under the Protocol has also had
significant climate benefits.
Because ozone depleting substances are also
global warming gases, the reduction in the production and use of these
substances yielded a net integrated reduction of approximately 25 billion
tonnes of CO2 between 1990 and 2000.
“As we look to mitigate and adapt to climate
change, tackle other environmental threats and implement the outcomes of the
Rio+20 conference on sustainable development, the story of the Montreal
Protocol highlights the benefits of pursuing an inclusive green economy.
It shows that, in acting on one issue, many others can be addressed too,”
said UN Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon.
“The Montreal Protocol has demonstrated that
fundamental principles – such as science-based policy making, the precautionary
approach, common but differentiated responsibilities and equity within and
between generations –can benefit all nations,” he added.
The Montreal Protocol’s Multilateral
Fund has assisted developing countries to meet their compliance commitments by
financing industrial conversion, technical assistance, training and capacity
building support worth over US $2.8 billion.
It is estimated that, without the Protocol,
by the year 2050 ozone depletion would have risen to at least 50 per cent in
the northern hemisphere's mid-latitudes and 70 per cent in the southern
mid-latitudes, about 10 times worse than current levels.
UN Under-Secretary General and UNEP Executive
Director, Achim Steiner, said: "The establishment of the Montreal Protocol
in 1987 set the world on track to reduce and phase-out a wide range of
chemicals found in products from hairsprays and fire-fighting equipment to
foams and air conditioners that were destroying the ozone layer and leading to
dangerous 'holes' over Antarctica and also the Arctic. Recently the world has
learnt that these cuts and phase-outs have also benefited the climate because
the substances of concern are also powerful greenhouse gases.”
“The Green Economy, in the context of
sustainable development and poverty eradication, may be a recent term. But the
work on repairing the ozone layer and now combating climate change underlines
that a Green Economy has been forged over many years even if we did not use
that term at the time," added Steiner.
Despite the successes, governments still face
major challenges.
Under the protocol, developing countries will
need to phase out the consumption and production of HCFCs which have adverse
effects on ozone protection and the global climate.
Marco Gonzalez, Executive Secretary of the
UNEP Ozone Secretariat said: “Perhaps the best way to appreciate these accomplishments
is to consider what the world might have looked like today without both the
inquisitive minds of the world’s scientists and the forward looking
determination of its leaders, diplomats and negotiators who shaped the Montreal
Protocol. If concerted action was not taken, by now we would be living a
nightmare, with significant increases in skin cancers and cataracts, and
substantial impacts on ecosystems.”
“Our actions over the past quarter century
have helped usher in an Ozone-Safe Generation. This is truly worthy of
celebration!” he added.
The International Day for the Preservation of
the Ozone Layer was designated by the UN General Assembly through Resolution
49/114 in 1994.
This year’s International Day is celebrated
under the theme “Protecting our atmosphere for generations to come”.
No comments:
Post a Comment