HCFC phase out plan declared

Ozone Layer protection:

Disna MUDALIGE

Hydro ChloroFluorocarbons (HCFC) Phase out Management Plan for Sri Lanka to protect the Ozone Layer was declared in harmony with the Montreal Protocol targets at an inception ceremony held at the Taj Samudra Hotel yesterday. This plan was prepared in collaboration with the UNDP under the guidance of Environment Minister and Incumbent Chairman of Vienna Convention Anura Priyadarshana Yapa.

The plan will be implemented gradually from January 1, 2013. Member states of the Montreal Protocol has agreed to complete the HCFC phase out by 2030.

Sri Lanka hopes to accomplish the HCFC phase out target by 2025 following strategic action plans. "We have successfully phased out CFCs by 2007 and other major ozone depleting substances by 2010. Sri Lanka has promoted HCFC systems as substitutes to CFCs throughout these years. Therefore the consumption has been increasing during the past many years. Since we have agreed to advance the phase out dates it is very important that we provide necessary assistance to stakeholders. Therefore we need to discuss today the most economically viable and accessible proven new technology as an alternative to HCFC" the Minister observed.

UNDP Country Director and Resident Representative Douglas Keh commended the Sri Lankan initiative to protect the ozone layer. He noted that Sri Lanka is taking a leadership role in key global environment issues.