The 35th meeting of parties to the Montreal Protocol (MOP) came to a close at the United Nations Environment Program in Gigiri.
The week-long event with the main focus on the implementation of the Protocol also called for the remaining member states to quickly ratify the Kigali Amendment. Outstanding Ratifications are urged since the climate crisis and Ozone protection calls for collective and coordinated response actions.
Since 1987, the summit rallying call has been to reduce or eliminate ozone-depleting substances (and now with the Amendment also HFCs) through the implementation of the Protocol. Monitoring, research, and data exchange have been some of the means used in implementation.
The treaty’s mandate does impose binding reduction commitments on controlled substances (ozone-depleting substances and, now, HFCs).
The Montreal Protocol contributes to environmental sustainability and human health and well-being in line with numerous Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
As reiterated by Inger Andersen of the UN, the multilateral fund of the MOP has for years supported implementation that has continuedly been impactful and successful a success attributed to the dedication of member states who endeavor and remain determined to protect the Ozone layer.
She lauded the Montreal Protocol, highlighting its remarkable three-decade legacy in phasing out ozone-depleting substances (ODS) and protecting ecosystems that store carbon, thereby mitigating climate change.
Actions around curbing emissions have been of fruition as of the 35th meeting of the parties to the Montreal Protocol evidenced by the reduction of 11 cases of melanoma avoided for those born in the USA from 1890 to 2100 and 432 million cases of Basal cell carcinoma, the role played by the Montreal Protocol on safeguarding the ozone layer and human health has been lauded over the years.
Outgoing president of the MOP Hassan Mubarak, Bahrain, says that the commitments of the Montreal Protocol are essential toward the progress of actions and phase-downs as well as phase-outs. He highlighted progress on the Kigali Amendment, with 155 states having ratified and 43 pending, urging the outstanding countries to do so.
This being a replenishment year, it marks an important step for the multilateral fund enacting collective action like fully ratifying the Kigali amendment and sharing their respective Kigali Implementation Plans (KIPs).
“As an outgoing president of the MOP I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for your support and dedication throughout my tenure and as I hand over to the new president, I’ll urge us to embrace the same spirit henceforth,” said Hassan.
Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Forestry, Kenya, Roselinda Soipan Tuya during the 35th Montreal Protocol meeting, revealed that Kenya was the 153rd country to ratify the Kigali Amendment of the Montreal Protocol which gets into action on 21st December.
She further urged the countries not yet on board to ratify the Kigali Amendment which will in turn play a crucial role in the reduction of emissions and averting the global warming intensities.
According to the CS, 200 customs officers and over 1000 refrigeration technicians have been trained to enhance the understanding of obsolete equipment and assist in regulating their entrance into the country.
“Time is not on our side to tame global warming as COVID-19 slowed down our responses because it brought a challenge from economic to social aspects,” said CS Soipan.
She drew attention to the National Cooling Action Plan, designed to enhance access to sustainable cooling as part of Kenya’s climate action endeavors.
In the 35th meeting of the Montreal Protocol, Energy efficiency aligned with waste management technologies was crucially looked into as some of the means that would champion action in matters of protection of the Ozone layer and all this is achievable through collective effort.
