Brief Note on the Functions of the project for the “Implementation of Montreal Protocol in Sri Lanka”

National Ozone Unit (NOU)

The Government of Sri Lanka (GOSL) ratified both VC and MP in 1989 and established the National Ozone Unit under the then Ministry Transport, Highways, Environment and Women's Affairs. Since then the NOU was function under the Ministry to which the environment portfolio is assigned. The mandate of the NOU is to ensure the phasing out of ODSs in compliance with the provisions of VC and MP while ensuring the sustainability of local industries.

Rationale

Scientists during nineteen seventy’s found that the Ozone layer extended in between around 15 km to 50 km of the atmosphere was being depleting due to halogenated chemicals which had been emanated from the industrial uses particularly in Refrigeration and Air Conditioning (RAC) sector. In view of preventing this situation the global communities gathered together and established the “Vianna Convention” (VC) in 1985. Subsequently, the “Montreal Protocol”(MP) was established in 1987 as a treaty among the member parties of the Vianna Convention. The objective of the Montreal Protocol was to ensure phasing out of Ozone Depleting Substances (ODSs) from the world in a systematic manner.

Funding, Reporting and Administering

Being a party referred to in article 5 of the MP, the GOSL is not required to commit for the contribution payment for the MP. Instead the GOSL is facilitated by the Multi Lateral Fund (MLF) for the implementation of compliance action plan in Sri Lanka. The GOSL is committed to report the annual consumption of ODS each year to the Ozone Secretariat (OS) which administer both the MP and VC.

Phasing out ODSs

Parties to the MP have already phased our many ODSs including CFC, Halon, CCL4 and MC. HCFC and MeBr are still being phased out in the world and by 2030, all the ODSs are scheduled to be phased out. In future, the HFCs which came as an alternative for HCFC will also be phased out in consistent with the “Kigali Amendment” introduced to the MP.

Role of NOU

Being the national focal point for VC and MP, the NOU is working on the phase out ODSs and preparing for the phase down of HFC. In that context, the NOU is responsible for following;

1. Empower the RAC industry of the country with alternatives and new technology while ensuring phase out plans
2. Upgrade the curricular of Technical and Vocational Education Training (TVET) institutions with new trends and technology of the industry
3. Uplift and upgrade the knowledge of RAC technicians in the industry.
4. Streamlining the informal technicians in the RAC industry with formal education
5. Down streaming the new technology, knowledge and good practices
6. Maintain data, data reporting and data analyzing in relation to the RAC and quarantine industry.
7. Facilitation for the recycling of refrigerants
8. Provide training programs for the Customs officers and Import Export officers

Current Projects

MLF which is the financial arm of the MP disburse funds to the NOU continuously to ensure compliance the phase out plans in the country, undertake surveys and for institutional strengthening. Many projects have already been implemented and following are the current projects granted by MLF for the implementation of MP in Sri Lanka.

1. HCFC Phase out Management Plan (HPMP)
2. Enabling Activities for phasing down HFCs
3. Institutional Strengthening (IS)

Future programs

On the ratification of Kigali Amendment to the MP, the GOSL is committed to implement the phase down plan of HFC from 2024. Initial activities such as surveys, feasibility studies and financial needs are currently being assessed as preparatory measures to phase down HFCs.