adminMary Mutamiri
THE Ministry of Environment, Climate, Tourism and Hospitality Industry has intensified efforts to ensure refrigeration technicians have critical information and access to new refrigerants that are ozone friendly.
The ozone layer is a region in the earth’s stratosphere that contains high concentrations of the ozone.
It protects the earth from harmful ultraviolet radiations of the sun. Ozone layer depletion is the gradual thinning of the earth’s ozone layer, in the upper atmosphere, due to the release of chemical compounds containing gaseous bromine.
The National Ozone Unit Manager in the Ministry of Environment, Climate, Tourism and Hospitality Industry, George Chaumba, said the Government has been phasing out chemicals, which deplete the ozone layer.
“We carry out activities targeted at specific stakeholders, such as refrigeration technicians.
“These are likely to release or vent refrigerants (gases) into the atmosphere, if they are not trained on proper servicing procedures.
“So far, this year alone, the Ozone Office has conducted seven training workshops and trained 225 refrigeration technicians.”
He added: “We have also conducted training workshops for customs officers at all major ports of entry to monitor trade in controlled substances that deplete the ozone layer.
“More than 150 customs officers were trained in eight workshops conducted this year in Harare, Bulawayo, Plumtree, Beitbridge, Nyamapanda, Chirundu and Victoria Falls.
“Zimbabwe does not produce substances that deplete the ozone layer and we rely a lot on imports.”
Chaumba said the Government was moving towards adopting ozone friendly technology in the refrigeration sector.
“We do not have an exact figure. “But, gauging from the number of units being imported into the country and manufactured locally, we are towards complete adoption of ozone -friendly technology in the refrigeration sector,” he said.
Zimbabwe is a signatory to the Montreal Protocol, which compels nations to implement strategies and policies, which halt the use of substances, which deplete the ozone layer.
“This year, we are marking 35 years after the signing of the Montreal Protocol on substances that deplete the ozone layer.
“The theme is ‘Montreal Protocol@35: Global cooperation protecting life on earth’.
“We are going to have a symposium here in Harare where stakeholders will be updated on the achievements in the different sectors where ozone depleting substances are being used,” said Chaumba.
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Mathew Masinge
Online Reporter