The Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) in collaboration with the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) will embark on a series of roadshows to engage stakeholders about the implementation of the Hydrochlorofluorocarbons Phase-out Management Plan (HPMP) and Montreal Protocol for South Africa.
The roadshows are scheduled to take place between 12 and 21 June 2018 in Midrand, Durban, Port Elizabeth and Cape Town with a focus on the aspects that relate to the refrigeration and air-conditioning sector.
Hydrochlorofluorocarbons Phase-out Management Plan sets out a pathway for phasingout and subsequent elimination of the hydrofluorocarbons in the various usage types in the foam and refrigeration and air-conditioning sector respectively. These are a group of man-made chemicals containing the elements such as carbon, hydrogen, chlorine and fluorine. These type of refrigerant gases have significant ozone depleting potential and thus require safe handling techniques from users due to their high pressured and flammable properties. Successful elimination of the HCFCs will provide a significant boost in the country’s efforts to addressing environmental preservation such as ozone layer recovery and climate change impacts.
South Africa is a Party to the Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer and the Montreal Protocol on Substances that deplete the Ozone Layer. The Protocol is an international treaty designed to protect the ozone layer by phasing-out the production of numerous substances that are responsible for ozone depletion. It aims to reduce the consumption of ozone depleting substances in order to reduce their negative impact on the ozone layer, thereby protect the earth’s fragile ozone layer. This is noting that South Africa does not produce these substances but rather imports them. Even though South Africa has met a target to reduce its consumption of HCFC’s by 20% in the last financial year, more still needs to be done.
In South Africa, Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) are mostly used in the refrigeration and air-conditioning sector as replacement for ODSs and currently there is no law that prohibits nor restricts quantities of HFCs that are being imported into or exported out of South Africa.
However, general imports and exports of HFCs are controlled through the International Trade Administration Commission (ITAC) Import and Export Regulations of 2012. To obtain such permit from ITAC, one requires a recommendation issued by the DEA.
Given that South Africa is in the process of ratifying the Kigali Amendment on HFC phase-down, it is necessary that all role players are updated with regards to the imminent management of HFCs. The Kigali amendment will have co-benefits for mitigating climate change and also ozone-depletion.
The planned roadshows will provide an opportunity for government to communicate the milestones that have been reached and strides undertaken towards the implementation of both the Montreal Protocol and the country’s HPMP.
The roadshows will take place as follows:
For media queries contact:
Albi Modise
Cell: 083 490 2871
