Vietnam targets eliminating substances harmful to ozone layer
Vietnam has outlined a roadmap to gradually eliminate Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) from 2024 with the goal of reducing the basic consumption of these harmful substances to the ozone layer from 2024 to 2028, according to Tang The Cuong, Director General of the Department of Climate Change under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment.The consumption will fall at a rate of 10% in the 2029 to 2034 period, 30% in the 2035 to 2039 period, 50% in the 2040 to 2044 period, and 80% from 2045, he said, adding this issue has been included in the provisions of the Law on Environmental Protection 2020 and related documents.
According to Cuong, as a means of carrying out this roadmap, his department has co-ordinated efforts with the World Bank (WB), the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), and relevant agencies and experts as a means of devising a plan for the management and elimination of HFCs in Vietnam phase I (known as KIP I).
Through surveying, collecting, and analysing data, specialised management agencies have grasped the situation of HFC consumption in the nation and forecast growth trends.
Their aim is therefore to determine the necessary interventions in terms of mechanisms, investments and technical support in order to achieve the reduction of HFC consumption in line with international commitments.
Angela Armstrong, programme manager of the WB for the Montreal Protocol Implementation, said that the country has made great efforts in stopping the use of ozone-depleting substances under the terms of the protocol.
However, she said that in order to gradually eliminate HFCs, it remains necessary for agencies to combine many solutions by using energy efficiency, refrigeration equipment with low greenhouse effect, thereby setting specific HFC levels to industries.
The official also underscored the need to adopt advanced technologies and policy interventions in order to ensure the country’s compliance with the roadmap.
In January, 1994, Vietnam became one of the first countries to ratify the Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer. In addition, the Montreal Protocol on
Vietnam has eliminated the consumption of CFC, Halon, and CTC since January 1, 2010, and completely stopped the use of HCFC-141b and Methyl Bromide since January 1, 2015, in line with the roadmap set in the protocol.
As a result, the country has fulfilled its obligation to eliminate 10% of the HCFC consumption. This rate will be raised to 35% in the 2020 to 2025 period.
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