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NAIROBI
(Xinhua) -- Kenya is in the process of
phasing out ozone depleting substances (ODS) and
alternatives with high global warming potential (GWPs),
a senior official said Friday.
Cabinet Secretary for Environment and
Natural Resources, Judi Wakhungu, said that the
phase-out will be achieved within the broad principles
stipulated by the Montreal Protocol.
“We are supporting industries,
companies and agricultural enterprises in adopting
ozone friendly alternatives and technologies,”
Wakhungu said in a speech during an event for the
International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone
Layer.
Wakungu said industries that relied on
ODS in the past were now shifting to friendly
alternatives and technologies.
Wakungu said there were plans to have
schools and colleges in Kenya incorporate subjects on
ozone layer, climate change and other environmental
related issues in their curriculum.
“This will help ensure that students
are taught about the importance of the ozone layer
preservation and climate change early in life,” she
added.
Kenya through the National Ozone Unit
has trained over 300 refrigeration and air conditioning
technicians on safe use of hydrocarbons and other
natural refrigerants substitutes to Hydrofluorocarbons.
Officials from the Kenya Revenue
Authority and the National Environment Management
Authority have also been trained on measures on imports
and exports of ozone depleting substances and their
blends.
The ozone layer shields the earth from
harmful ultra-violet radiation emanating from the sun
causing skin cancer, eye cataracts, reduced plant and
animal productivity, poor air quality, damage to
plastics and impact on climate.
Kenya like many other developing
countries is bearing the brunt of climate change impacts
and the associated socio-economic losses.
Since signing Montreal Protocol in
1987, Kenya has introduced and adopted ozone friendly
substances, replaced ODS-dependent equipments used in
industries with ozone friendly equipments, and
retrofitted refrigeration systems using ODS in
government-run hospitals to ozone friendly systems.
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