Another achievement for Pakistan in its quest to be environmentally friendly and protect the region and the planet at large from climate change and its disastrous effects, the country has reduced imports of hazardous chemicals that contribute to the depletion of the Ozone layer by 50 percent, said Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (SAPM) on Climate Change Malik Amin Aslam in an exclusive interview with APP.
SAPM Malik Amin Aslam claimed Pakistan had passed its set target to contain 35 percent import of Hydro-chloro-fluoro-carbon (HCFC) which causes Ozone depletion and has decreased import of hazardous material by 50 percent.
Pakistan surpassing Montreal Protocol targets for climate change
While speaking at World Ozone Day, he said: “We mark the 35 years of Montreal Protocol formation which Pakistan signed in 1992. World Ozone Day 2020 is being celebrated worldwide including Pakistan. The day reminds us that the only thing that stops the earth from getting fried is the ozone layer. Let’s act together to protect [Ozone Layer] it and protect ourself. Happy World Ozone Day.”
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In Pakistan, he said, we did two things one that we converted all the technologies using Ozone depleting substances and second we contained the input of HCFCs also Hydro-chloro-fluoro-carbon that cause ozone layer to deplete.
He held Pakistan’s efforts were two-fold, firstly any and all technologies that used Ozone depleting substances were converted and the input of Ozone depleting HCFC’s was also contained.
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The SAPM held that according to the 1992 agreement Pakistan was required to contain 35 percent import of HCFC’s, however, it had surpassed the set target and achieved successfully containing 50 percent of HCFC’s following the Montreal Protocol.
Creating general awareness among the masses
The Ministry of Climate Change created a National Ozone Unit (NOU) which undertook organizing World Ozone Day seminar to highlight celebrations and conduct several activities to increase awareness among the masses such as radio programs and sharing videos on social media.
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“Pakistan signed Montreal Protocol (MP) in 1992. MP has universal ratification and is recognized as most successful protocol. Pakistan met its all obligation as prescribed under MP,” SAPM said. Ozone depleting chemicals such as CFCs, Halons and Methyl Bromide were contained and have been banned since 31st December, 2009.
GVS News Desk with additional input by other sources