By Conrad Mwanawashe
Zimbabwe is on course to completely phase out the use of Hydrochloroflourocarbon (HCFC) which are still extensively used in refrigeration and air conditioning by 2030.
The country has since completed the implementation of Stage I of the Hydro-chlorofluorocarbon (HCFC) Phase out Management Plan (HPMP) and applied for funding for Stage II HPMP implementation.
“I am happy to inform you that the Stage II HPMP Project was approved during the 86th meeting of the Executive Committee of the Multilateral Fund. The Stage II HPMP implementation will see the country reducing its HCFC consumption by 67.5% in 2025 and completely phasing out the use of HCFC by 2030. HCFCs are still extensively used in refrigeration and air conditioning in Zimbabwe,” according to Washington Zhakata, Director in the Department of Climate Change, Ministry of Environment, Climate, Tourism and Hospitality Industry in a speech read on his behalf at a media workshop on the implementation of the Montreal Protocol in Zimbabwe.
He called on the media to assist in disseminating this information to the generality of the users of HCFCs so that they are not surprised when the total ban on imports of these substances come into effect on the 1st January 2030.
He said the Ministry is working closely with other stakeholders to ensure the country complies with the HCFC phase out schedules under the Montreal Protocol.
Some man-made chemicals used in a number of sectors such as refrigeration and air conditioning, foam insulation, firefighting, agriculture, among others, are responsible for the destruction of the ozone layer. Once the ozone layer is depleted, it allows excessive Ultra-Violet radiation (UVR) to get to the earth’s surface. Too much exposure to ultra-violet radiation causes skin cancer, eye cataracts, immune suppression in human beings. Aquatic organisms, plants and synthetic materials are also affected. The international community therefore adopted the Montreal Protocol on substances that deplete the ozone layer on the 16th September 1987 to address this environmental challenge.
“The Montreal Protocol on Substances that deplete the Ozone Layer has achieved a lot of success since its entry into force in 1989. The World has managed to reduce more than 99% of substances that were depleting the ozone layer. As we focus on phasing out the remaining quantities of Ozone Depleting Substances (ODS) mainly the Hydrochloroflourocarbons (HCFCs), we are now looking at other environmental benefits associated with the phasing out of these chemicals. Environmental challenges such as ozone layer depletion and climate change are closely interlinked.”
“We should not celebrate the recovery of the ozone layer in the midst of other environmental challenges such as global warming, persistent droughts, floods and desertification. HCFCs contribute to both the depletion of the ozone layer and global warming, so by reducing HCFC consumption, the Montreal Protocol is safeguarding the stratospheric ozone layer as well as the global climate system,” he said.
At the 28th Meeting of the Parties (MOP) to the Montreal Protocol held in Kigali, Rwanda in 2016, a key decision was taken to phase down Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) under the Montreal Protocol. The same MOP decision also requested parties to adopt alternatives that are highly energy efficient, environmentally friendly and cost effective to minimize damages to the global climate system.
In implementing the Montreal Protocol provisions, government is encouraging the adoption of alternatives to HCFCs that have zero Ozone Depletion Potentials (ODPs) and zero or very low Global Warming Potentials (GWPs).
“The best environmentally sound replacement of these controlled substances are Hydrocarbons which have zero ODPs and extremely low GWPs. However, these hydrocarbon refrigerants are extremely flammable if safety measures are not adhered to. My Ministry is therefore conducting intensive training workshops for refrigeration and air conditioning practitioners on safe use of hydrocarbons throughout the country.”