Stakeholders told…
AGRICULTURE Minister Robert Persaud yesterday announced that Guyana will soon benefit from US$85,000, through United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), to develop and implement a hydro-chlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) phase-out management plan.

HCFCs are potent greenhouse gases which are thousands of times more powerful than carbon dioxide at warming planet Earth.

Speaking at an inception seminar, convened in his Regent Street and Vlissengen Road, Georgetown Ministry, Mr. Persaud said the scheme will aid the freezing of HCFCs by 2013 and accomplish a total phase-out in 2030.

He expressed satisfaction with Guyana’s progress in meeting the compliance limit of the Montreal Protocol on substances that deplete the ozone layer and said he is confident Guyana will attain the target of zero consumption of chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) in 2010.

The ozone layer acts like a shield in the upper atmosphere to protect life on Earth from harmful ultra-violet radiation and Persaud said, since this country became a party to the Montreal Protocol and the Vienna Convention in 1993, a National Ozone Action Unit (NOAU) was established within the Hydro-meteorological Service to ensure compliance with the mandates.

The Minister said some of the measures initiated by the NOAU include:

* facilitating the process of re-establishing the Guyana Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration and Ventilation Association (GARVA);

* enactment of restrictions on import of ozone depleting substances under the Trade Act, in August 1997;

* publication and distribution of booklets, brochures and pamphlets to enhance awareness of the issue and

* educating and preparing industries and technicians to make adjustments to adapt to the obligated phase-out schedule.

But, as Guyana approaches the CFC phase-out date this year end, another challenge emerges, this time, the phase-out of the HCFCs which is also a contributor to depletion of the ozone layer, he said.

ADVERSE EFFECTS
Persaud told stakeholders at the forum that, in the next several decades, CFC and HCFC emissions from refrigerators and air-conditioners will have adverse effects on climate change and the ozone layer.

HCFCs are widely used in refrigeration, foam, solvent, aerosol and fire fighting activities, as a transitional substance to substitute CFCs and the gas is utilised, as well, as feedstock in the production of other chemical products, he noted.

“Scientists have been warning us that the tipping point for abrupt and irreversible changes to the climate can accelerate if we don’t take action fast. We will get climate change and ozone benefits from accelerating the phase-out of HCFCs since it is expected that HCFC will be replaced by climate friendly substitute chemicals and more energy efficient technologies,” Persaud offered.

He reiterated that Guyana is vulnerable to the impact of climate change and will continue to support efforts to strengthen the Montreal Protocol to secure climate change benefits.

Persaud explained that, even though Guyana’s net contribution was not calculated in the baseline greenhouse gas (GHG) inventory of 1994, it is now being done through the revised listing in the Second National Commission Project.

He said, considering the efforts being undertaken through the Montreal Protocol, it is not expected that HCFC emissions will be significant for Guyana.

According to Persaud: “As a net sink country with overall emissions of GHGs, 1,446 tonnes CO2 equivalent compared to removals- 26,664 tonnes CO2 equivalent, (INC 2002) and a largely intact forest resource, Guyana is strategically poised to enter the carbon market and secure incentives for the preservation of its forests and realise national development targets.

“It has been determined that Guyana’s forest could generate economic value of between US$430M and US$2 billion per annum. Sustainable use of the forest and agricultural lands can deliver 37 per cent of the world’s GHG abatement solution, as opposed to other options which would take a longer time before the technology is proven.

STRONG MEASURES
“The government of Guyana is very committed in taking strong measures to reduce GHG emissions and take the necessary actions to strengthen the country’s capacity to adapt to the impact of climate change.”

UNEP Regional Office in Latin America and Caribbean Programme Manager, Ms. Artie Dubrie called for broad-based support for the HCFCs phase-out strategy under the Montreal Protocol.

She said it is imperative in protecting the environment for the future generation and submitted that an eco-system based approach is needed in addressing the issue.

However, Dubrie warned that the prevalence of air-conditioning units in Georgetown is a hindrance to realising the goals of the Montreal objectives and advocated the need for adjustment to a more climate and environmentally friendly technology.

Acting Chief Hydro-meteorological Officer, Ms. Bhalika Suelall said the timely meeting represents yet another milestone as Guyana joins the rest of the world in protecting the ozone layer.

She lauded the participation and said inputs from the discourse yesterday will enable the Government to formulate a National HCFCs Phase-out Management Plan.