Online Reporter
Ivan Zhakata
Herald Correspondent
ZIMBABWE is stepping up efforts to phase down hydrofluorocarbons and promote energy-efficient refrigeration and air-conditioning technologies as part of measures to protect the ozone layer and combat climate change.
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Environment, Climate and Wildlife, Mr Simon Masanga, said Zimbabwe’s implementation of the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol was aimed at ensuring the country adopted ozone-friendly and climate-friendly technologies.
The speech was read on his behalf by the Ministry’s Deputy Director of Communications and Advocacy, Mrs Joyce Chapungu, at the International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer (World Ozone Day) symposium held yesterday.
Mr Masanga said the ozone layer played a critical role in protecting life on Earth from harmful ultraviolet radiation.
“The stratospheric ozone layer acts as a shield that protects life on Earth from dangerous ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun by allowing only sufficient doses needed for the sustenance of human life, plants and animals,” he said.
Mr Masanga said man-made chemicals used in sectors such as refrigeration and air conditioning were contributing to ozone depletion, which could result in cataracts, skin cancer and suppression of the immune system. He said Zimbabwe ratified the Kigali Amendment on October 18, 2022, and was implementing activities under the Stage I Kigali Implementation Plan to phase down HFCs.
“After ratifying the Kigali Amendment, my Ministry revised the old regulations and promulgated new regulations to control the use of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), in addition to the already controlled ozone-depleting substances,” Mr Masanga said.
The regulations, promulgated through Statutory Instrument 49 of 2023, restrict the importation of high-global-warming-potential substances and inefficient technologies.
This year’s World Ozone Day commemorations are being held under the theme: “Global Action for a Cooler Planet: Celebrating Ten Years of Sustainable Cooling Under the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol.”
Mr Masanga said sustainable cooling was becoming increasingly important as global temperatures continued to rise. “The Kigali Amendment aims to achieve that through the adoption of zero- to very low-global-warming-potential technologies that are also energy efficient,” he said.
The Ministry has also worked with the Standards Association of Zimbabwe, the refrigeration and air-conditioning industry, the Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority and the Ministry of Energy and Power Development to develop Minimum Energy Performance Standards for domestic refrigerators and air-conditioning appliances.
Mr Masanga said full implementation of the standards would help reduce energy demand and carbon dioxide emissions from thermal power stations.
He said reducing HFC use could prevent up to 0,5 degrees Celsius of global temperature rise by the end of the century, with the potential reaching 1 degree Celsius when energy-efficiency measures were factored in.
The Ministry is also working with Zimbabwe Revenue Authority customs officers at major ports of entry and stations to enforce regulations controlling ozone-depleting substances and high-global-warming-potential chemicals.
Mr Masanga expressed gratitude to UNEP, UNDP, UNIDO and GIZ Proklima for their technical and financial support for Zimbabwe’s Montreal Protocol programmes.
“The technical and financial support over the years has enabled the Government of Zimbabwe to remain compliant with the phase-out and phase-down provisions of the Montreal Protocol,” he said.
Mr Masanga urged stakeholders to maintain their support for efforts to eliminate ozone-depleting substances and greenhouse gases used in refrigeration, air conditioning and other sectors.
“Through your unwavering support, we will sustain our compliance with the provisions of the Montreal Protocol and help protect the ozone layer and combat climate change,” he said.
