Nigeria unveils Action Plan to protect Ozone layer
By Zeniat Abubakar, Abuja
The Nigerian Government has unveiled the Nigeria Cooling Action Plan N-CAP, in its efforts to protect the Ozone layer and the Climate.
The Nigeria Cooling Action Plan, N-CAP is the pathway for the country’s transition to low Global Warming Potential (GWP) and Energy Efficient (EE) technologies, which provide the needed strategies for sustainable cooling the ozone layer.
Nigeria’s Minister of Environment, Mr Mohammed Abdullahi disclosed this at the commemoration of this year’s World Ozone Day held in Abuja, the nation’s capital.
“I will use the opportunity of this Day, to unveil the N-CAP document and showcase it to our stakeholders present, as we celebrate this year’s World Ozone Day, the Ministry will continue to engage and partner with relevant stakeholders in our efforts to protect the Ozone Layer and Climate and also contribute to global efforts to safeguard all life on earth.” He said.
He noted that the importance of cooling of the Ozone layer cannot be overemphasized as it is critical for general wellbeing, environment and agriculture.
The Minister further said that this would also enable thermal comfort of societies at high temperatures which is required for industrial production and preservation of food, medicine and vaccines.
“For over three decades, my Ministry in collaboration with UNDP, UNIDO, GIZ, World Bank & UNEP as the Implementing Agencies, has been implementing the Montreal Protocol’s Ozone Depleting Substances (ODS) phase out programme in Nigeria. In line with the Protocol’s ODS phase-out schedule, we have assisted over 700 Large, Small & Medium Scale enterprises in the Foam, Refrigeration & Air conditioning, Aerosols, Fire protection & Solvent Sectors to convert to Ozone friendly substances & Technologies. our country ratified the Kigali Amendment in 2018 and it came in to force in 2019. The implementation of the Amendment will provide us an unprecedented opportunity to adapt ozone and climate-friendly technologies as well as to improve energy efficiency in the cooling sector.” The Minister explained.
He also noted that an implementation plan was developed and agreed by stakeholders to ensure the operationalisation of the N-CAP.
“The Plan includes the strategies to be adopted, activities or actions to ensure the success of these strategies, the responsible parties and timeline. A major strategy of the N-CAP that will support the transformation of the market of in-efficient cooling appliances to more efficient ones is the Rebate Scheme, where a large number of energy efficient cooling appliances need to be procured and exchanged with obsolete and in-efficient ones at a subsidized price.” He stated.
He further said that the N-CAP will play a key role in the efficient preservation of food, thereby preventing food losses and spoilage, through a sustainable and efficient cold chain infrastructure.
“where food will be transported from the farms to retail outlets at a favourable temperature that will prevent food spoilage. This will hopefully reduce contact between farmers and herders and prevent their incessant clashes.” The Minister added.
Resident Representative, UNDP Mr. Mohammed Yahya, commended the Ministry’s effort to phase out the use of chlorofluorocarbons better known as CFCs.
“The ozone layer is really important to protect all forms of life, we need to continue with our plants and activities and reduce emissions from our day to day activities that we need to keep up with our strategies. If we want to help our ozone layer heal faster.” Mr. Yahya stated.
The Regional Director, UNIDO, Mr Jean Bakole, said that the UNIDO’s commitment towards supporting the Nigerian Government to promote Inclusive and Sustainable Industrialization Development without compromising the environment.
He noted that Nigeria is a high performing member state of the Montreal Protocol and has continuously and regularly worked towards fulfilling its obligation under the Convention and its associated Protocol.
“The Kigali Amendment further pushes countries to renew their commitment to climate action. The goal is to achieve over 80% reduction in HFC consumption by 2047 and it has been said that reducing HFCS under the Montreal Protocol could avoid as much as 0.5°C of global warming by the end of the century which is a major compliment to the Paris Agreement on Climate Change which targets 2°C.” Mr Bakole added.
The Executive Director of the UN Environment Programme, Ms Inger Anderson, said that the Montreal Protocol is ready to provide more and continue to protect life on Earth, while also creating a cooler environment and safeguarding biodiversity to help feed growing populations on world ozone day.
She however urge the remaining parties to do the same as the UN seek to overcome the triple planetary crisis of Climate Change, nature loss, pollution and waste.
“Backing the Kigali amendment will also allow increased energy efficiency and an explosion of sustainable cooling. Such moves will reduce food waste and allows increasing food security and further reducing greenhouse gas emissions. But to deliver the full impact on climate and human wellbeing, we need full ratification of the Kigali amendment.” She added.
The World Ozone Day is an annual event that commemorates the date of the signing of the Montreal Protocol, MP on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer in 1987.
Over the years, the Montreal Protocol has continued to provide a platform for more than one hundred and Ninety-eight countries to work toghether to phase out Ozone Depleting Substances(ODS), thus protecting the Ozone Layer.
The Protocol is the most successful environmental agreement to date, with universal ratification.
