Vietnam strives to eliminate substances harmful to ozone layer
The Vietnamese Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment in conjunction with the United Nations Environment Programme and the World Bank (WB) organised a ceremony in Hanoi on September 16 to mark International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer.
Vietnam is reported to have cut hundreds of thousands of tonnes of substances harmful to the ozone layer (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) – The Vietnamese Ministry of Natural Resources andEnvironment in conjunction with the United Nations Environment Programme andthe World Bank (WB) organised a ceremony in Hanoi on September 16 to mark the International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer.
In January 1994, Vietnam became one of the first countries to join the ViennaConvention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer and the Montreal Protocol onSubstances that Deplete the Ozone Layer.
Vietnam has eliminated the consumption of CFC, Halon, andCTC since January 1, 2010 and completely stopped the use of HCFC-141b andMethyl Bromide since January 1, 2015.
On September 4, 2019, the Vietnamese Government issued Resolution No. 64/NQ-CPofficially approving the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol.
Also at the ceremony on September 16, the second phase of the “NationalManagement Plan for eliminating HCFC substances of Vietnam” (HPMP II) projectwas launched.
Caitlin Wiesen, Acting Resident Coordinator of the UN and ResidentRepresentative of the UN Development Programme in Vietnam, said the celebrationtogether with the launch of the HPMP II reflect Vietnam’s efforts in implementingthe Montreal Protocol, and its coordination with other countries in protectingthe ozone layer and the environment in general.
Stefanie Stallmeister, Operations Manager for the WB in Vietnam, said the bank has cooperatedwith Vietnam in realising the protocol over the past 15 years.
The country has cut hundreds of thousands of tonnes of substances harmful tothe ozone layer, he said, noting that as an important partner of the HPMP II,the WB will continue to support Vietnam in implementing the project, he said.
Tang The Cuong, Director of the Climate Change Department under the Ministry ofNatural Resources and Development, said the HPMP II, which runs from 2018 to2023, aims to help Vietnam reduce 35 percent of the consumption of HCFCsubstances in line with the roadmap set in the protocol./.
Vietnam has actively implemented the Montreal Protocol and measures to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to preserve the ozone layer, earning international recognition, said Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Le Cong Thanh.
International collaboration is essential to protect the environment, particularly when economic development, changes in structure of the society, air and plastic waste pollution are exerting pressure on Vietnam, an environmental official said.
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Vietnam is reported to have cut hundreds of thousands of tonnes of substances harmful to the ozone layer (Photo: VNA) 
