Zimbabwe joined the global community in commemorating World Ozone Day, with Environment, Climate, and Wildlife Minister Sithembiso Nyoni highlighting the country’s commitment to preserving the ozone layer and combating climate change.
Addressing journalists in Harare, Minister Nyoni underscored the significance of the Montreal Protocol, adopted on September 16, 1987, in gradually reducing the production and use of ozone-depleting substances. “The Montreal Protocol aims to gradually reduce and eventually eliminate the production and use of man-made chemicals that deplete the ozone layer,” said Nyoni. She highlighted the critical role of the ozone layer in protecting life on Earth from harmful UV radiation, which can cause eye cataracts, skin cancers, and immune system suppression.
The Minister announced the theme for this year’s World Ozone Day, “Montreal Protocol: Advancing Climate Action,” and cited the 2022 Scientific Assessment Panel Report, which confirmed that the ozone layer’s recovery is on track. “Ozone levels are expected to return to 1980 levels by around 2066 over the Antarctic and by around 2046 over the Arctic,” she said.
Zimbabwe’s proactive measures include ratifying the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol in 2022, targeting the phase-down of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), potent greenhouse gases.
Following this ratification, new regulations were introduced to control HFCs and other ozone-depleting substances. ”
The revised regulations were promulgated through SI 49 of 2023 on the 11th April 2023,” Nyoni confirmed. In her address, she underlined the importance of international cooperation and local industry engagement in reducing the use of harmful substances.
“As the world replaces HFCs with ozone and climate-friendly refrigerants, we are setting ourselves on a course to tackle both ozone layer depletion and climate change,” she said.
Minister Nyoni also highlighted Zimbabwe’s implementation of the Second Stage Hydro-chlorofluorocarbons Phase-out Management Plan and the Stage I Kigali Implementation Plan, in partnership with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
She expressed gratitude to stakeholders for their continued support in eliminating ozone-depleting substances and greenhouse gases, affirming Zimbabwe’s dedication to protecting life on Earth.
