29th International Day for the Preservation of Ozone 2023

Every year International Day for Preservation of Ozone is observed on 16 September 2023. This day is also observed as World Ozone Day. International Day for Preservation of Ozone  is celebrated every year to spread awareness among people about the depletion of Ozone Layer and the measures taken to preserve it.

The Ozone Cell, Union Ministry of  Environment, Forest and Climate Change, has been celebrating the International Day for Preservation of Ozone since 1995 at the National and State levels.

Background to the International Day for Preservation of Ozone 

In 1994, the United Nations General Assembly passed a resolution to observe 16 September as International Day for the Preservation of Ozone. 

On 16 September 1987 the Montreal Protocol came into effect . The Montreal Protocol  is an international environmental treaty for phasing out of production and consumption of Ozone Depleting Substances.

The first International Day for the Preservation of Ozone was observed on 16 September 1995.

Theme of the International Day for Preservation of Ozone 2023 

The theme of the International Day for Preservation of Ozone 2023 is “Montreal Protocol: fixing the ozone layer and reducing climate change.

According to the United Nations this year’s theme highlights and reiterates the positive impact of the Montreal Protocol on ozone layer recovery and reducing climate change.

Importance of Ozone 

Ozone layer is found in the stratosphere layer of the atmosphere which is about 15 to 30 km above the earth's surface. 

Ozone is a molecule which has three atoms and plays a crucial role in the filtering of the sunlight. It prevents the ultraviolet rays from reaching the surface of the Earth, thereby preserving life on the planet.

Reason for the depletion of the Ozone Layer 

Many man made chemicals like methyl bromide, methyl chloroform, carbon tetrachloride ,halons, chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) are found to be responsible for depletion of the ozone . These gases were used as coolants in refrigeration and air conditioners etc and as an aerosol spray. 

The chlorine and bromine  element in these gases reacts with ozone leading to the breaking of the Ozone molecule. Continuous destruction of Ozone leads to creation of a hole in the earth's atmosphere which allows the ultraviolet radiation to reach the earth's surface.

The depletion of the Ozone layer led to a world wide concern that the  continued exposure to ultraviolet rays will lead to an increase in the cases of skin cancer  and  climate change .

International Effort to prevent depletion of Ozone 

The increased global concern regarding the depletion of Ozone layer led to search for an international agreement to collectively phase out the ozone depleting substances.

Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer

To protect the depleting ozone layer, the Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer, was adopted and signed by 28 countries, on 22 March 1985.

In September 1987, this led to the drafting of The Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer.

Montreal Protocol

The Montreal protocol came into force on 16 September 1987. The principal aim of the Montreal Protocol is to protect the ozone layer by taking measures to control total global production and consumption of substances that deplete it.

Montreal protocol is considered to be  one of the most successful and effective environmental treaties ever negotiated and implemented.

Kigali amendment 

After the implementation of the Montreal protocol the use of Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) as substitutes to the identified Ozone depleting substance increased in the world. 

The HFCs do not deplete the Ozone layers but they have a very high global warming potential.

To phase out the use of HFCs gas an amendment was made to the Montreal protocol at the Kigali meeting in 2016. The Kigali amendment laid down a schedule for the gradual phasing out of HFCs .

India’s commitment under Kigali amendment 

India will complete its phase down of production and consumption of HFCs in 4 stages  starting from 2032 onwards . India will reduce its production and consumption of HFCs by  10% in 2032, 20% in 2037, 30% in 2042 and 85% in 2047.