Bangkok, Thailand, 25 November 2020 ‒ Article 5 countries continue to meet their obligations under the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer. However, they have been facing more challenges with the implementation of this treaty during the COVID-19 crisis. Starting from 1 January 2020, Article 5 countries must phase-out 35% of their hydrochlorofluorocarbon (HCFC) baseline consumptions from their HCFC consumption, in conjunction with the need to prepare themselves for the hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) phase-down under the Protocol's Kigali Amendment. The uncertainty surrounding the control of the COVID-19 pandemic in the region has posed more severe challenges for these countries.
South Asia and Southeast Asian network countries joined a virtual meeting convened by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) Asia-Pacific Compliance Assistance Programme (CAP) on 17 November 2020. The purpose of the meeting was to review and update the progress of the implementation of the Montreal Protocol at the national/regional level in 2020 and to brainstorm on foreseeable tasks/challenges, implied by the COVID-19 pandemic. A total of 52 participants from 23 countries of the two networks as well as three developed country partners: Australia, Japan and Sweden attended the meeting.
Article 7 data reported for 2019 revealed that 23 of the 24 countries from the two networks met their 2019 HCFC phase-out obligations. Most countries continued to face novel challenges since the second quarter of 2020 in the organization of meetings, workshops and trainings due to restrictions on public gathering and social distancing guidelines which greatly affected the daily implementation of the Montreal Protocol and Multilateral Fund project delivery despite, using alternative delivery approaches. The pros and cons of different approaches such as virtual events, smaller socially-distanced physical events, and establishing, modifying or enhancing electronic licensing systems were discussed and shared in the meeting for further consideration. E-learning and training modules jointly developed by UNEP OzonAction and partners for refrigeration and air-conditioning technicians and customs officers were also introduced as a resource for countries.
The meeting also discussed the need for countries to establish and implement an HFC licensing system, which would serve to facilitate and effectively monitor and accurately report HFC consumption. It is important for countries to collect and report the 2020 HFC data, which would be used to determine the HFC baseline, given the complexity of the process to change baseline consumption in the future.
Mr. Thibyan Ibrahim from the National Ozone Unit of the Maldives shared the country’s experience in shifting to an online licensing system. He explained that all the government agencies, including the Ministry of Environment have expedited the operation of a licensing system from paper-based to a national single window system titled 'Makudi System', which is partly attributed to the lockdown caused by COVID-19. The Ministry is now issuing import permits for refrigerants and all types of chemicals through the Makudi System, which facilitates the licensing process for importers and also increases the effectiveness of data monitoring.
The meeting further presented regional initiatives to develop awareness materials to enhance communication activities under the south-south cooperation framework outreach and sought feedback from the National Ozone Officers on the services and support expected from UNEP CAP for 2021.
Mr. Shaofeng Hu, Senior Montreal Protocol Regional Coordinator, UNEP OzonAction, Asia and the Pacific Office, stated that “the virtual meeting enabled CAP at the Asia and the Pacific Office to understand the needs of countries and to guide the team in planning and delivering its 2021 services, especially the most preferable five thematic areas that CAP needs to focus on.” Multiple thematic area preference polls were conducted throughout the meeting in real time and the results could be shared with all participants. The interactive approach led very substantive discussions during the meeting.
The virtual meeting was organized as part of the UNEP’s OzonAction Regional CAP work plan for 2020 to support countries in meeting and sustaining their Montreal Protocol commitments.
For more information, please contact:
Mr. Shaofeng Hu
Senior Montreal Protocol Regional Coordinator
UNEP Asia and the Pacific Office
E-mail: hus[at]un.org
