September 2004

The Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer was signed on 16th of September 1987 to protect the Ozone Layer. Since 1995, 16th September is celebrated every year as the International Day for Preservation of the Ozone Layer and commemorates the date of signing of Montreal Protocol.

The theme of this year's observance of the International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer is "Save our Sky: Ozone Friendly Planet, Our Target".

The Protocol was the culmination of decades of research, which established that chemicals released in the atmosphere could damage the ozone layer. A depleted Ozone Layer in the stratosphere allows the Ultra Violet rays of the sun reach the earth exposing mankind and other flora and fauna to its harmful effects.

The ozone layer absorbs most of the harmful ultraviolet-B radiation from the sun. It also completely screens out lethal UV-C radiation. The ozone shield is thus essential to life, as we know it. Depleting the ozone layer allows more UV-B to reach the earth. More UV-B means more melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers, more eye cataracts, weakened immune systems, reduced plant yields, damage to ocean eco-systems and reduced fishing yields, adverse effects on animals, and more damage to plastics.

Initially on the basis of very definite empirical findings, the Protocol enjoined upon all the signatory nations to completely phase out harmful chemicals such as chlorofluorocarbons (CFC), halons, carbontetrachloride (CTC), methylchloroform in a given time schedule. Later, other studies have brought under the purview of the Protocol, more chemicals such as hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFC) and methyl bromide for phasing out within a given deadline.

India as a signatory to the Protocol has been very earnestly ensuring compliance of its obligations. India, being a Party to the Vienna Convention and the Montreal Protocol, has been sharing the global concern for protecting the Ozone Layer and phase out of Ozone Depleting Substances (ODS) like chlorofluorocarbons (CFC), halons, carbontetrachloride (CTC), methylchloroform, methylbromide and hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFC) which are used in aerosol products, refrigeration and air-conditioning products, foam blowing applications, fire fighting equipment, metal-cleaning applications, soil fumigation appliances, etc.

The Government has also been active in channelising assistance from the Multilateral Fund for implementation of the Montreal Protocol. Till date, Government has obtained approval of more than 350 projects for conversion of industries from ODS to non-ODS technology and phasing out substances that deplete the Ozone Layer. Funding has also been approved by the Multilateral Fund to the Protocol to phase out production of these Ozone Depleting Substances.

A number of policy measures, both fiscal and regulatory, has also been taken by India to encourage early adoption of new technologies by existing and new enterprises. Full exemption from payment of Customs and Excise duties is granted on capital goods required to implement ODS phase out projects funded by the Multilateral Fund and this benefit is extended for projects and new-establishments using non-ODS technologies. The Ozone Depleting Substances (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000 regulating ODS production, consumption and trade have also been put in place. These Rules are being enforced under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 with effect from 19th July, 2000. Three amendments have been made in 2001, 2003 and 2004 to the Rules thereafter. The first freeze target for CFC and halon production and consumption targets have been met successfully.