The National Assembly today passed the amendment to the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer. The Protocol is a multilateral environmental agreement that regulates the production and consumption of ozone-depleting substances.
This was forwarded to the National Assembly by the National Council for re-deliberation.
In 1987, the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone layer, a binding obligations to reduce the use of Ozone Depleting Substances was adopted. The most important commitment of the Protocol is the mandatory agenda for the phase-out of ozone-depleting substances. Since its inception, there have been five amendments to the Protocol.
The National Environment Commission recommended Kigali Amendment to be considered for the ratification.
The Kigali Amendment requires phase down of Hydro Fluorocarbon (HFC). This is about bringing into control both the production and consumption of HFCs. The HFCs are used in refrigeration, air conditioning and heat pumps among others. HFCs are powerful greenhouse gases that have significant global warming potentials although they are non-Ozone Depleting Substances.
The Agriculture Minister while presenting the amendment in the National Council last month, said Bhutan on agreeing to the amendment will benefit in Environmental conservation and technology assistance.
