International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer 2024: preserving planet earth for sustainable development

---

Extract from the article: Every September 16, the international community celebrates International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer. The main aim of this celebration is to enable the institutions working to protect the ozone layer to look back on the activities ini

---

Every September 16, the international community celebrates International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer. The main aim of this celebration is to enable the institutions working to protect the ozone layer to look back on the activities initiated and the results achieved, and to seize the opportunity to raise public awareness of the role of the ozone layer and the use of refrigerants responsible for its destruction. This year's theme is “Montreal Protocol: making progress in the fight against climate change”. This theme underlines the importance of this international convention in preserving the planet.

The ozone layer is a region of the stratosphere that contains a relatively high concentration of ozone (O₃). It lies at an altitude of around 10 to 50 kilometers above the earth's surface1. The ozone layer absorbs the sun's ultraviolet (UV) rays, protecting life on the planet. Ozone destruction is like sunburn on the respiratory tract. It causes real irritation in the lungs, leading to asthma attacks and bronchitis, according to Dr. Olivier Brun, Pneumologist and author of the book “La pollution est-elle dangereuse pour la santé?” (Éditions Phase 5 -2018).  The ozone layer is a protective shield against the sun's harmful ultraviolet rays. It plays an essential role in preserving our health. It filters radiation, protects against skin cancer and cataracts, and weakens the immune system.

Preserving the ozone layer

Protecting the ozone layer is a collective responsibility.By acting individually and collectively, we can ensure a healthier future for generations to come.Phasing out ozone-depleting substances has not only helped protect the ozone layer for present and future generations, but has also contributed to the international community's efforts to tackle climate change.

The Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer was designed to reduce the production and consumption of ozone-depleting substances by reducing the amount of them in the atmosphere.International Ozone Layer Protection Day is an opportunity to highlight the central role of good governance in achieving environmental goals.Strict compliance with these provisions at national and international level will enable the Parties to the Montreal Protocol to reduce the production and consumption of these harmful chemicals by 98%.

By choosing environmentally-friendly products, supporting initiatives to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and raising awareness among those around us, we are helping to preserve the planet and improve our health.

Togo's efforts

In 2003, a refrigerant management plan (PGFF) enabled Togo to completely eliminate Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) by 2010. This was followed in 2013 by a hydrochlorofluorocarbon management and elimination plan (PGEH) to reduce the use of chlorinated and fluorinated refrigerants.Today, the country is in the process of adopting the Kigali Amendment Implementation Plan (KIP).In addition to these plans, a regulatory framework for the management of HCFCs and HFCs has been put in place to comply with the Montreal Protocol and its amendments.

These strategies have strengthened the capacities of the players involved in refrigerant management. Since 2014, more than a thousand players, including refrigeration technicians, customs officers and water and forestry officers, have been trained. At the same time, the introduction of a licensing and quota mechanism has reduced imports of chlorodifluoromethane (HCFC R-22) by 70% between 2013 and 2023. Despite all these efforts, a number of challenges remain when it comes to eliminating ozone-depleting substances.

Elom AKAKPO & Esther KOLANI (Intern)