The Sustainable Research and Action for Environmental Development (SRADev), in collaboration with EnviroNews Nigeria, has tasked the media with accurate and effective reporting of Nigeria’s obligations and progress under the Montreal Protocol.
The Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol provides a global framework to reduce the use of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), offering both environmental and economic benefits and Nigeria, like many developing countries, is currently navigating a crucial transition away from ozone-depleting substances (ODS) and fluorinated greenhouse gases (F-GHGs) towards sustainable, climate-friendly alternatives in its refrigeration and air conditioning (RAC) sector
Speaking at a day Webinar in Abuja on Friday, Leslie Adogame, Executive Director, STRADev, said Nigeria like many developing countries is currently navigating a crucial transition away from Ozone-depleting substances (ODS) and fluorinated greenhouse gases (F-GHGs towards sustainable, climate friendly alternatives in its refrigeration and air conditions (RAC) sector.
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He noted that the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol provides a global framework to reduce the use of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), offering both environmental and economic benefits.
He noted that despite these developments, there remains a significant knowledge gap in public understanding of these substances, noting that the media plays a critical role in bridging this gap through accurate, accessible and engaging storytelling
Also speaking, Jeremiah Ato, SRADev Technical Policy Manager, said Ozone-depleting substances are industrial chemicals which had been shown to react with and deplete ozone by blocking harmful ultraviolet radiation from the sun in the upper atmosphere.
Ato said according to Nigeria’s Phase Out Schedule under HPMP, Nigeria is in the third /final stage to achieve a 67.5% reduction by 2025 and a 100% phase out by 2030, except for servicing uses until 2040.
He added that Nigeria, under the Montreal Protocol, is the first African country to ratify the Kigali Amendment, developed a National Cooling Plan in partnership with UNEP and other partners, phased out 4000 metric tonnes of ODs through HPMP stages and established a vocational certification system for refrigeration and air conditioning Technicians.
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In his remarks, Michael Simire, Editor in Chief, Enviro News Nigeria, said the media matters play a crucial role in environmental storytelling in several ways, including raising awareness, setting the agenda, framing environmental issues, humanising complex issues and influencing public opinions, among others
Simire noted that while many Ozone-depleting substances are also powerful greenhouse gases. The successful phase-out of ODs under the Montreal Protocol has had a significant co-benefit in mitigating climate change.
“However, their replacement, F-GHGs, especially HFCs, while not ozone-depleting. They are potent greenhouse gases, leading to a new challenge for climate Policy,” he said
