Despite the COVID–19 global pandemic, our function of protecting the Ozone layer cannot be neglected

25th June, 2020 The ministry of MEIDECC, department of climate change conducted a two days (23 – 24/06/2020) of national stakeholder workshop on hydrochlorofluoro carbon (HCFC) phase out management plan, stage II (HPMP STAGE TWO).The major objective of the workshop is to present the prerequisites of the phase out management plan and at the same time to record and gather the participant’s feedbacks on ways to effectively implement the second and final stage of this regional project. This project is joined by twelve pacific island countries including Tonga.  

A team from the national ozone layer protection unit from the climate change department navigated the workshop and was attended by representatives from government line ministries, importers of HCFC based equipment/ bulk gas cylinders as well as representatives from the refrigeration and air-condition sector.

Mr. Uikelotu Vunga, leader of the team, acknowledged the participants and their respectful sectors on all the great efforts contributed in the battle against ozone depleting substances. “Your efforts were stepping stones to achieving the goal of the first stage of the project, which is to phase out thirty five percent of HCFC by 2020,” said Vunga. He also encouraged the workshop members to uphold the hard works from stage one and sustain it throughout the final stage of the HCFC phase-out management plan. The target of this final stage is to fully phase out HCFC by 2030.

The workshop was funded by UNEP and it is expected to continue in the upcoming weeks until the final stage of HCFC phase out plan is being finalized.

ENDS

Issued by the: Department of Climate Change (MEIDECC)