International Ozone Day celebrated
The Ministry of Industrialisation and Trade (MIT) yesterday celebrated International Ozone Day under the theme “Montreal Protocol: Advancing Climate Action”.The Montreal Protocol is a multilateral environmental agreement that regulates the production and consumption of almost 100 man-made chemicals known as ozone-depleting substances (ODS). Adopted on 16 September 1987, the protocol is one of the few treaties ratified worldwide to date and aims to gradually reduce the consumption and production of the various ODS.
MIT Deputy Permanent Secretary Dr Michael Humavindu claims that Namibia, in cooperation with the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), the United Nations (UN) and the tax authority NamRA, will provide training and equipment as part of support programmes to encourage the growth of the sector.
According to Shikongo Haihambo, Permanent Secretary of MIT, safe measures have already been taken in this regard. “Our ongoing phase-out of the use of ODS, training of refrigerant and air conditioning technicians, training of customs officials and our public awareness campaigns show that Namibia is actively meeting its obligations under the Montreal Protocol,” he stated.
Industrialisation minister Lucia Iipumbu shared more on the impacts of climate change. “Climate conditions are becoming a central part of our economy and therefore commemorating events such as today should also serve as a reminder of our shared responsibility to protect our planet.”