vienna convention on the environment ...

Law

1. v VIENNA CONVENTION

2.   OVERVIEW The Vienna Convention refers to several treaties negotiated in Vienna, Austria, under the auspices of the United Nations. They are: Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations (1961) Vienna Convention on Consular Relations (1963) 3. Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties (1969) 4. Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer (1985): This environmental treaty aims to protect the ozone layer by phasing out the production and use of substances that deplete it. S igned on 22 March 1985 and it came into force on 22 September 1988 It provided the framework for the Montreal Protocol (1987), which set binding targets for reducing ozone-depleting chemicals.  

3. Obligations For Countries Obligations are vows or promises or duty that parties agree to do or become responsible for when they sign a treaty. The Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer outlines several key obligations for countries that are parties to the convention . These obligations aim to promote international cooperation and concerted actions to protect the ozone layer from human-induced depletion. The Obligations are:-

4. Reporting and Data Exchange Relationship to the Montreal Protocol Financial and Technical Assistance

5. Montreal Protocol The Montreal Protocol is an international environmental agreement to protect the earth’s ozone layer by eliminating the use of ozone depleting substances. When released into the atmosphere, these chemicals damage the stratospheric ozone layer, Earth’s protective shield that protects humans and the environment from harmful levels of ultraviolet radiation from the sun. It was Adopted on 16th September 1987, the protocol is to date the only UN treaty that ever has been ratified by every country on Earth – all 197 UN member states. Montreal Protocol was signed on 1 January 1989

6. The key obligations for countries under the Vienna Convention and Montreal Protocol include: Obligations to control the production and consumption of ozone-depleting substances (ODSs) like chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), halons, and other chemicals. Phasing down the use of these ODSs according to agreed-upon schedules and targets. For example, the original Montreal Protocol called for a 50% reduction in CFCs by 1999. Reporting on the production, import, export, and consumption of ODSs to help monitor compliance. Restricting trade in ODSs with non-party countries to the Protocol, to encourage more countries to join. Providing financial and technological assistance, especially to developing countries, to help them transition away from ODSs. Facilitating the exchange of information and technologies related to the replacement of ODSs. Undertaking scientific assessments on the state of the ozone layer and the effectiveness of the Protocol's control measures.

7. How India has fulfilled these obligations India became Party to the Vienna Convention and the Montreal Protocol on 18th March, 1991 and 19th June 1992 respectively. In India, the implementation of the Montreal Protocol is under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change. The Ministry created an ozone chamber to implement the protocol. The ministry enacted the Ozone Depleting Substances (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000 under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. The rules prohibit the use of CFC compounds in the manufacture of various products These rules control the production, consumption, and trade of ODS .

8. The Central Institute of Plastics Engineering and Technology (CIPET) and Ozone Cell are collaborating to support enterprise-level foam manufacturing enterprises in transitioning to non-ozone depleting technologies. India has implemented the HCFC Phaseout Management Plan (HPMP) and achieved complete phase out of HCFC 141 b in the foam manufacturing sector as of 1.1.2020 . The scheme provides support to numerous foam manufacturing Micro, Small, and Medium-Sized Enterprises The HPMP Stage-II provides financial and technical assistance for this transition.

9. Country Programme(CP) of 1993 for phasing out ozone depletion The Montreal Protocol, signed in 1987, committed countries to phasing out the production and consumption of various ozone-depleting substances (ODS) like chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), halons, and others. The 1993 Country Programme was a key implementation tool for countries to develop and execute their national ODS phase-out strategies. In 1993, countries around the world were actively implementing programs to phase out ozone-depleting substances (ODS) as part of their commitments under the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer.

10. India’s Country Programme(CP) of 1993 India has proactively phased out the production and consumption of CFCs except use in Metered Dose Inhalers (MDIs) used for treatment of Asthma and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) ailments from 1st August, 2008. Subsequently, the use of CFCs in MDIs has been phased out from December, 2012. India has also completely phased out production and consumption of CTC and halons as of 1st January, 2010. Currently, the Ozone Cell is engaged in phase-out of production and consumption of next category of chemicals, Hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) with an accelerated phase-out schedule as per the Montreal Protocol.  

11. The Ozone Cell, MoEF&CC in association with the implementing agencies and in close cooperation with the stakeholders in the country has been implementing following projects : –   Accelerated CFC Production Sector Phase-out Project National CTC Phase-out Plan National Strategy for Transition to Non-CFC MDIs and Plan for Phase-out of CFCs in the Manufacture of Pharmaceutical MDIs HCFC Phase-out Management Plan (HPMP) – Stage-I HCFC Phase-out Management Plan (HPMP) – Stage-II

12. Now lets look at India’s ODS consumption pattern after The 1993 Country Programme implementation

13. Annex-A & B ODS Consumption in India from 1993 to 2004 Source-Country programme update, 2006

14. The pattern of consumption of Annex-A Group-I (CFCs) during 1993-2004 Source-Country programme update, 2006

15. India – ODS Consumption in the Aerosols Sector (1993 – 2004) Source-Country programme update, 2006

16. India – ODS Consumption in the Foams Sector (1993 – 2004) Source-Country programme update, 2006

17. ODS Consumption in Refrigeration & Air Conditioning Sector (1993 – 2004) Source-Country programme update, 2006