| Being a Party to the Vienna Convention and Montreal Protocol for the Protection of the Ozone Layer, Sri Lanka is mainly obliged to take appropriate measures to protect human health and the environment against adverse effects resulting or likely to result from human activities which modify or are likely to modify the ozone layer |
Biodiversity degradation and climate change that relate with the Ozone layer depletion have become first place among the global environment problems today. International as well as National forces have lined up to safeguard the environment through implementing of environment related several conventions and protocols to tackle these threatening issues for the existence and sustainability of all living beings. Among them, Vienna Convention and its legal entity Montreal Protocol has been identified as the internationally bound treaty for the protection of Ozone Layer and has been recognized as the universally ratified protocol. The Air Resource Management & National Ozone Unit of the Ministry of Environment functions as the focal point of the Montreal protocol in Sri Lanka.
Being a Party to the Vienna Convention and Montreal Protocol for the Protection of the Ozone Layer, Sri Lanka is mainly obliged to take appropriate measures to protect human health and the environment against adverse effects resulting or likely to result from human activities which modify or are likely to modify the ozone layer. Further, Sri Lanka has to introduce necessary legislation for phasing out of ODSs and control emissions of ozone depleting substances with the ultimate objective of their elimination based on developments in scientific knowledge, taking into account the developmental needs of country. Finally, Sri Lanka has to submit annual consumption data to the Ozone Secretariat annually to determine global consumption of ODS as well as to evaluate results achieved in restoring damaged ozone layer.
National Ozone Unit is the responsible national entity for implementing multiple activities that are designated by the Montreal Protocol. The United Nation Development Programme (UNDP) and United Nation Environment Programme (UNEP) are the implementing agencies are assigned to collaborate with Sri Lanka to achieve its goals in phasing out of ODSs. While implementing the activities, Sri Lanka ensures the maximum utilization of funds receives from donor agencies usefully to achieve country objectives in phasing out of ODSs on stipulated timeframe.
At present, Sri Lanka is progressing towards completing phase-out of Hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) by 2030 as shown in the below figure. The National Ozone Unit has implemented Hydrochloroflurocarbons Phase-out Management Plan (HPMP) in 2013. A Quota system for import of HCFC has been in effect successfully from 2013 to limit the import of HCFC with minimum impact to the industries and development with the collaboration of Sri Lanka Customs and Department of Import and Export Control.
Sri Lanka is obliged to contribute for the global effort to mitigate climate change. The Kigali Amendment is the latest amendment to the Montreal Protocol which is set to deliver stronger climate benefits by phasing down hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs). The HFCs do not damage the ozone layer, but these refrigerants are powerful greenhouse gases. As agreed to Paris Agreement on Climate Change, reducing their use is expected to contribute to reduce 0.4°C from global temperature rise which is 2 ° C by the end of the century (20% contribution by the Kigali Amendment)
Since Sri Lanka ratification to the Kigali Amendment which took place on 25th September 2018, steps have been taken to address the obligations to the amendment. Thereby, the use of HFCs with higher global warming potential HFCs will be phased down to minimize the effects of emissions. In parallel to the phasing down of HFCs, the use of alternative substances, mainly natural refrigerants with lower global warming potential will be promoted. In implementation of Kigali Amendment, Sri Lanka is grouped under Article 5 Group 1 country. Accordingly, which HFC Phase down will be carried out with specific time and quantity targets which is given below.
Sri Lanka is addressing the challenges to meet phase down target through establishing new strategies, policies and legislations, limit import of HFCs, introduce quota system and promote safe alternatives to HFC refrigerants. In the meantime, measures are taken to enhance the capacity of technicians and users in the field of refrigeration and air conditioning, and to provide necessary tools and equipment to training centers as well as RAC workshops to safe handling of alternative refrigerants,
Sri Lanka has already drawn up a plan of action to reduce HFC consumption in preparation for the implementation of the Kigali Amendment. The necessary steps need to be taken in a number of areas. These include:
- Develop a national strategy to achieve the goal of phasing down of HFCs in a more practical and cost-effective way (e.g., which market segments need to take immediate action and which market segments need to wait for further technological advancement).
- Preparation and implementation of relevant legislation (e.g. to ratify the Kigali Amendment and to set up legislation to control HFC use).
- Set up of appropriate national-level administration systems (e.g. to monitor and report HFC consumption and to licence the import of HFCs)
- Engagement with relevant stakeholders to help develop and implement the national HFC phase-down strategy.
In view of this, Sri Lanka has started Project of Enabling Activities on HFC phase down in 2019 for preparedness of Implementation of Kigali Amendment to Montreal Protocol and the following initiatives have been achieved to move forward the pathway of ratification of Kigali Amendment successfully.
- Developed of Country Assessment Report – a comprehensive assessment of the national context on the readiness of the country for the implementation of Kigali Amendment, and outline a strategy for its effective implementation and prepared the HFC Outlook model for forecasting the usage of HFC substances and the alternatives while the collection data in refrigeration and air conditioning sector
- Undertook training needs assessment for the servicing sector with production of an assessment report – assessment of the training needs for RAC servicing sector including the market readiness for introduction of HFC alternatives
- Developed Kigali Cooling Plan Strategy for Sri Lanka – developed policies, standards and the appropriate regulatory framework and to integrate energy efficiency interventions to the current work underway within the overall Montreal Protocol Programme, providing complementary training and capacity building in energy efficiency to Refrigeration and Air Conditioning (RAC) technicians and engineers.
- Developed specific knowledge products e.g. quick guides, brochures and flyers on Kigali Amendment, energy efficiency and safe handling of low GWP technologies, including specific information for consumers on energy efficiency aspects and cost benefits of buying energy efficient appliances – specific information materials available for better understanding of the Kigali Amendment of the public and raised awareness on ODS free
- Conducted technical workshops low GWP and zero GWP alternatives for RAC sub sector targeting larger end-users – awareness workshops proving better understanding by market players of the available technology options
| Some countries have already begun to phase out the use of HFC, while others are already making arrangements to do so. In all these endeavors, it is everyone's hope to reduce global warming. Accordingly, we will be able to save a living environment for our future generations. |
| Sri Lanka has already drawn up a plan of action to reduce HFC consumption in preparation for the implementation of the Kigali Amendment. |
Modeeka Tilakaratna
Assistant Director
Air Resources Management and National Ozone Unit
Ministry of Environment
