Minister’s Address
Hon. Michael Church, Minister with responsibility for the Environment
September 16 is designated the International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer. This Protocol, along with its predecessor, the Vienna Convention, is the international response to the problem of Ozone Depletion agreed to following inter-governmental negotiations dating as far back as 1981.
After twenty-three years of constantly refining the participation of the entire family of the United Nations in caring for the health of the Ozone Layer; the United Nations has decided to focus, more pointedly, on issues of governance as they relate to environmental protection.
It is partially for this reason that this year’s commemoration is being held under the theme: Ozone Layer Protection: Governance and Compliance at their best.
The Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer ranks as one of the great success stories of international environmental diplomacy. There is a widely held scientific view that without this Protocol, we were poised to lose about 70% of the Earth’s ozone cover by 2050.
Greater compliance with the principles and practices of ozone conservation is a guaranteed insurance for the increased longevity of the human species on this planet. Thus, notwithstanding the historically impressive performance of all the signatories to the Protocol, the call for even more aggressive pro-ozone actions must be pursued with greater vigour to compensate for the failings of other climate change related initiatives.
Grenada and other members of the Montreal Protocol community have many accomplishments to celebrate over the past year – a year in which major milestones in the history of the Protocol were achieved.
Not only has the Montreal Protocol been able to achieve universal ratification by all United Nations member states – a feat never before achieved by any other multi-lateral agreement – but the Montreal Protocol has been able to meet its final target of phasing out the production and consumption of CFCs, halons and carbon tetrachloride in 2010.
These successes achieved and lessons learnt are instructive in the context of global climate change discussions. The Ozone Depleting Substances phase-out program has already provided and is continuing to provide significant climate protection benefits.
The Montreal Protocol is in a very real sense a “Climate Protection” treaty too. Studies have shown that by phasing out Chlorofluorocarbons (CFC’s), Hydro chlorofluorocarbons (HCFC’s) and other chemicals under the Montreal Protocol more than five (5) giga tons- equivalent of carbon dioxide (CO2) have already been eliminated –representing more than 25% of the worlds Green House Gas emissions. This surpasses the Kyoto Protocol’s target of reducing Green House Gases (GHG’s) by five (5) times.
While we may be gratified by these achievements, I must hasten to add that we should not become complacent by these efforts. The next two years ahead marks a critical period for all developing countries. It is the period when Grenada and other developing countries would be involved in the preparation and initiation of phase-out management plans for another group of chemicals – hydro chlorofluorocarbon (HCFCs).
Many challenges would be encountered, particularly in the following areas:
(i) Finding suitable long-term alternatives to replace HCFC refrigerants;
(ii) The Illegal trade in ozone depleting substances;
(iii) Developing more predictable financial support mechanisms to promote and sustain the ozone-friendly policies and programs required; and,
(iv) Destruction of Ozone Depleting Substances (ODS) banks in very low volume consuming countries (VLVCs).
Notwithstanding these inherent challenges, Grenada has had many good reasons to celebrate its Montreal Protocol achievements. Not only did we meet our Montreal Protocol obligations and targets but we were also able to reap benefits in the following areas:
(i) At the 22nd Meeting of the Parties in Port Ghlaib, Egypt in November 2009, Grenada was elected President of the Bureau to the 23 Meeting of the Parties. [Grenada was represented by the Honorable Minister with responsibility for the Environment];
(ii) Grenada was also elected to a permanent seat at the Executive Committee of the Multi-lateral Fund (MLF) for the Montreal Protocol for the fiscal year 2010;
(iii) Grenada was appointed co-chair of the Workshop on Quarantine and Pre-shipment uses of methyl bromide in Port Ghalib, Egypt; and,
(iv) Grenada was invited to the Advisory Group Meeting for the Compliance Assistance Program (CAP) of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Division of Technology, Industry and Energy in Paris, France in September 2010.
Grenada’s role in the global effort to safeguard the fragile stratospheric ozone layer is exemplary and commendable. At the international level, Grenada continues to attract the world’s adoration and respect for its performance in the global quest to heal the ozone layer.
In the conduct of our international service under the Montreal Protocol, we will continue to advocate for assistance for the earthquake stricken nation of Haiti. Grenada has successfully presented a proposal to the Executive Committee of the Multi-lateral Fund to approve special funding to assist Haiti in its recovery efforts.
We will continue in our efforts to meet our obligations under the Montreal Protocol. And while we may be proud of our efforts at this time, the job remains incomplete until the healing and the complete recovery of the ozone layer is realised.
Over the next few days several activities are organised by the National Ozone Unit to celebrate World Ozone Day. I encourage the entire nation to get involved and make a valuable contribution towards protecting our environment.
Remember! Whether we die or survive tomorrow depends on the kindness we extend to the ozone layer today.
It is with the greatest faith in our desire to reclaim Eden, that I now declare the activities to commemorate the International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer 2010 officially open.
Thank you.
