Address by Ms. Christine N. Umutoni at the Launch of an Advocacy Workshop with Journalists to mark International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer

Hon Kavydass RAMANO, Minister of Environment, Solid Waste Management and Climate Change

Mrs M. NATHOO, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry

Mr. J. SEEWOOBADUTH, Ag Director of Environment

Mr S. CHAYMAN, Chairperson of the Media Trust

Distinguished Guests

Ladies and Gentlemen

Introduction

It is a great pleasure for me to be among you, today, for the launching of this Advocacy Workshop with Journalists to mark the International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer.  The World Ozone Day is much more that than the celebration of the achievement of a coordinated approach in protecting the ozone layer and the phasing out of ozone depleting chemicals; it is also a reminder that working together in harmony and for the collective good is more important than ever, especially to address the pressing challenges of our time – COVID 19 and Climate Change.

As you are aware, in the late 1970’s, it became evident that the use of ozone-depleting gases (ODSs) in aerosols and cooling, such as refrigerators and air-conditioners, was creating a hole in the Ozone Layer – Planet Earth protective shield against harmful ultraviolet radiation from the sun. This hole was threatening to increase cases of skin cancer and cataracts, and damage plants, crops, and ecosystems.  It was also evident that without a global decisive response, it would be impossible to control and phase out the utilization of ozone-depleting substances.

Thanks to a global and coordinated approach, through the Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer, and the Montreal Protocol, the ozone layer is healing and expected to return to pre-1980 values by mid-century.

Recognising the urgent need to preserve the ozone layer, the importance of a global approach and the strong commitment of countries, the UN General Assembly proclaimed, in 1994, the 16th September as the International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer, commemorating the date in 1987 on which the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer was signed.

Message of the UN Secretary General

Let me thus share with you the message of the UN Secretary General on the World Ozone Day 2021 which theme is “Montreal Protocol: Keeping us, our food and vaccines cool”.  I quote:

“The Montreal Protocol began life as a mechanism to protect and heal the ozone layer.  It has done its job well over the past three decades.  The ozone layer is on the road to recovery.  The cooperation we have seen under the Montreal Protocol is exactly what is needed now to take on climate change, an equally existential threat to our societies. 

The Montreal Protocol is more than just an example of how multilateralism can and should work, it is an active tool to help meet our global vision for sustainable development.  Under the Kigali Amendment to the Protocol, nations have committed to phase down hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), powerful greenhouse gases used as coolants.  When fully implemented, the Kigali Amendment could prevent 0.4 degrees Celsius of global warming this century.

Furthermore, as we prepare for the Food Systems Summit this month, we are reminded that the Kigali Amendment can also help us to increase food security.  By reducing HFCs, increasing energy efficiency and creating more ozone- and climate-friendly technologies, the Kigali Amendment can bring sustainable access to vital cooling services to millions of people.

Such services would reduce food loss in developing countries, where food often spoils before it can reach markets.  Getting produce from farmers to where it is needed would help reduce hunger, poverty and the environmental impact of the agricultural sector.  Another important benefit of expanding cooling is storage of medicines and vaccines, such as are needed to end the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Montreal Protocol and the Kigali Amendment show us that by acting together, anything is possible.  So, let us act now to slow climate change, feed the world’s hungry and protect the planet that we all depend on."

Conclusion

Building on the very inspiring words of the UN Secretary General, let me congratulate the Government of Mauritius, the staff of the Ministry of Environment under your leadership Minister, the private sector and the civil society for all the hard work undertaken to ensure that Mauritius meets its commitments under the Montreal Protocol and therefore contribute to the global effort to protect the Ozone Layer. 

This workshop, today, is another example of the inclusive approach adopted by the Government in meeting its commitments under the Montreal Protocol.   Many of the transformational changes that are much needed in our society require not only technological change but more importantly a behavioural change in the way we interact with nature and in our mode of consumption.  As such, the media has an important role to play in ensuring that the right information is conveyed to the public to trigger this behavioural and transformational change.   I am sure that this workshop today will make you all Agents of Change, not only with regards to the protection of the Ozone Layer but also to slow climate change and help boost energy efficiency in the cooling sector and contribute to food security.

Let this International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer be an inspiration for all of us.

On this note, I wish you all a very fruitful workshop and thank you for your kind attention.