The event aims to respond to the International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer in 2024 and share Vietnam's efforts in cooperation and joint action to address climate change challenges, join hands to restore the ozone layer, and protect the Earth.
Attending the event were Mr. Ta Quang Ngoc, Former Minister of Fisheries, Chairman of the Vietnam Association of Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Science and Technology; Mr. Pipat Poopeerasupong, Ozone Coordinator for the Asia-Pacific region, United Nations Environment Program (UNEP); Mr. Tang The Cuong, Director of the Department of Climate Change (Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment); representatives of leaders of a number of units under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, along with representatives of ministries and branches; representatives of the People's Committees and Departments of Natural Resources and Environment of 15 northern provinces and cities; representatives of international organizations, research institutes, universities, training institutions and many businesses with activities related to ozone-depleting substances and greenhouse gases.
Speaking at the opening of the workshop, Deputy Minister Le Cong Thanh said: 2024 marks the 30th anniversary of Vietnam's participation in the Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer and the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer. Immediately after joining the Convention and Protocol in 1994, Vietnam issued the National Program for the Phase-Out of Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer in 1995 and established the National Program Office to coordinate and implement activities to phase out substances controlled under the Montreal Protocol since 1996.
During the first decade of participating in the Convention and Protocol (1994 - 2004), Vietnam began to develop and promulgate regulations on management and control of the use of ozone-depleting substances, and at the same time supported businesses in converting technology to eliminate ozone-depleting substances.
During the period 2004 - 2014, Vietnam promoted the work of protecting the ozone layer. Vietnam issued many management regulations and directives to manage the import and export of substances; control refrigeration equipment using CFC refrigerants; restrict the establishment of new or expanded production for enterprises using HCFCs. Together with other countries in the region, Vietnam fulfilled its obligation to completely eliminate the consumption of CFCs, Halons and CTCs from January 1, 2010, stopped the basic consumption of HCFCs from January 1, 2013 and many activities to support enterprises in technology conversion.
From 2014 to present, Vietnam has focused on perfecting institutions and policies. Up to now, the system of policies and laws on ozone layer protection, management and elimination of ozone-depleting substances and greenhouse gases has been basically completed. Enterprises producing foam, air conditioners and refrigeration equipment no longer use ozone-depleting substances in production activities; the import and consumption of substances are controlled according to a roadmap; Methyl Bromide is only used for quarantine and disinfection purposes in agriculture.
The Government has also ratified the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol since 2019, to strengthen the management of greenhouse gasses (HFCs) used to replace ozone-depleting substances that are being phased out. The content of ozone layer protection has been stipulated in the Law on Environmental Protection, Decree No. 06/2022/ND-CP of the Government has detailed regulations on greenhouse gas emission reduction and ozone layer protection; circulars, regulations, and national technical standards have been issued to serve management work.
After 30 years of participating in the Vienna Convention and the Montreal Protocol, Vietnam has been internationally recognized as an active and highly responsible member; making efforts to implement many tasks and solutions to manage and eliminate ozone-depleting substances and greenhouse gases, and achieving many important results. "According to statistics and assessments of the International Ozone Secretariat announced at the meeting last July, Vietnam has eliminated the consumption of 220 million tons of CO2 equivalent since joining the Convention" - Deputy Minister Le Cong Thanh emphasized. These results have important contributions from ministries and sectors such as: Industry and Trade, Customs, Vocational Education, Agriculture and Rural Development, the active participation of training institutions, associations, professional associations and enterprises nationwide; and the companionship and cooperation of international partners.
To synchronously deploy solutions from now until 2045, on June 11, 2024, the Prime Minister issued the National Plan on management and elimination of ozone-depleting substances and controlled greenhouse gases in Decision No. 496/QD-TTg. If implemented according to the roadmap, by 2045 Vietnam will reduce emissions by more than 11 million tons of CO2 equivalent from eliminating controlled substances, not to mention the amount of emission reduction achieved through efforts to convert technology towards climate-friendly and activities to recycle and reuse controlled substances, contributing to the goal of achieving net zero emissions by 2050.
In her welcoming remarks from UNEP headquarters, Ms. Megumi Seki, Executive Secretary, International Ozone Secretariat congratulated Vietnam on its successful implementation of the Montreal Protocol over the past 30 years.
The focus of the 2024 International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer is on contributing to climate change mitigation, reflected in the message “The Montreal Protocol: Accelerating Climate Action”. The Montreal Protocol is internationally recognized as one of the most successful multilateral environmental agreements in history and a collective victory of global cooperation. To date, the elimination of 99% of ozone-depleting substances has been equivalent to a reduction in emissions of approximately 366 billion tons of CO2 worldwide, significantly slowing global warming.
Ms. Megumi Seki expressed her hope that Vietnam will continue to be determined to effectively implement the Montreal Protocol, join hands to redouble efforts to fully exploit the potential of the Kigali Amendment, and participate in international actions to strengthen life cycle management of refrigerants in the coming time, realizing emission reduction targets.
At the workshop, representatives of international organizations and domestic experts gave in-depth presentations on the management and elimination of controlled substances and the implementation of sustainable cooling activities in Vietnam; the practice of technology conversion and the collection, recycling and treatment of controlled substances in Vietnam.
According to Mr. Viraj Vithoontien, expert of the World Bank (WB), implementing refrigerant life cycle management is a great opportunity for chemical manufacturers, equipment manufacturers, policy makers, large corporations and service experts to work together to prevent emissions into the atmosphere.
Some international experiences include the application of a deposit/refund regime for bulk refrigerant retail sales by distributors and wholesalers. The non-refundable deposit will be used to cover the costs associated with the collection, transportation, recovery and disposal of these substances. Regulators and markets should increase the requirement for the use of recycled refrigerants in the manufacture of new equipment. Buyers, building and vehicle operators should apply existing refrigerant procurement standards and equipment performance standards to improve life cycle management...
At the workshop, delegates discussed and clarified the opportunities, challenges, and support needs of businesses to be able to synchronously and effectively implement the roadmap of the National Plan on management and elimination of ozone-depleting substances and controlled greenhouse gases in Vietnam.
Receiving the comments, Mr. Tang The Cuong, Director of the Department of Climate Change, said that these are suggestions for Vietnam to continue its journey of protecting the ozone layer, especially in designing management regulations, implementing them in practice and enhancing inter-sectoral coordination.
The International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer 2024 marks a more comprehensive direction for the whole world, both striving to effectively implement the Vienna Convention, the Montreal Protocol, and ensuring the implementation of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. As an active member, Vietnam will continue to strongly implement activities to protect the ozone layer, provide sustainable cooling, and respond to climate change. To achieve these goals, the support of international partners and state management agencies, especially in the fields of industry and trade, customs, fisheries, etc., is indispensable. Institutes, schools, vocational training establishments, and state professional associations also play an important role in improving the quality of human resources for the implementation of programs and plans.
Source: https://baotainguyenmoitruong.vn/30-nam-viet-nam-tham-gia-cong-uoc-vienna-va-nghi-dinh-thu-montreal-nhieu-dau-an-dam-net-380072.html
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