Suelall in her opening remarks at the forum pointed out that its purpose was to better prepare the government as well as to formulate the national phase out plan.

Persaud in his address to the gathering stated that the programme was aimed at ensuring Guyana’s compliance to the Montreal Protocol of which Guyana is a signatory and is presently international law.

He noted that while Guyana was not a producer of any HCFC,it did use the ozone depleting substance in the air conditioning and refrigeration industry and to meet its obligation the country has been in receipt of monetary assistance from bodies such as UNEP.

He noted that while there has been an ongoing public awareness campaign as well as legislative changes to address the issue, much more is needed to be done to achieve the objectives of the Montreal Protocol.

It was pointed out also that the Ministry has recently facilitated the process of re-establishing the Guyana Air conditioning and Refrigeration and Ventilation Association (GARVA).

There have been restrictions on Import of Ozone Depleting Substances that were made possible through the enacting under the Trade Act in August 2007.

“Another important initiative is the publication and distribution of booklets, brochures and pamphlets to enhance awareness of the issue amongst the general public and industry.”

Guyana is expected to be benefiting from US$85,000 from UNEP to develop and implement the HCFC Phase-Out Management Plan that will aid in the freezing of HCFC by 2013 hence ultimately meeting total phase out of HCFC by 2030.

The Agriculture Minister also drew reference to the fact that, “we are” living in an era of adverse effects of Climate Change and it is incumbent on all to play their part in addressing the issue.

He added that the Phase-Out Programme was just one of many initiatives being piloted to address the issue. Disclosing that on Monday coming there will be the launch of the Low Carbon Development Strategy.

Dubrie told the gathering that, “we are the guardians of the planet” and as such all must work together hence the invitation of persons from both the public and private sector.

She said that the phasing-out of HCFCs would be a lot more difficult than that of CFCs and the burden was primarily on the air conditioning and refrigeration industry.

There is now the need to seek the use of different technology that is also energy efficient.

The Montreal Protocol on Substances that deplete the Ozone Layer, is an international treaty designed to protect the Ozone Layer by phasing out the production of a number of substances believed to be responsible for ozone depletion.

Parties to this Protocol (Including Guyana) agreed to set year 2013 as the time to freeze the consumption and production of HCFCs.

They also agreed to start reducing its consumption and production in 2015.

The HCFCs are interim CFCs replacements, used as refrigerants, solvents, blowing agents for plastic foam manufacture, and fire extinguishers.

Initially, the Protocol set the dateline to phase out HCFCs in 2040 for developing countries including Guyana however, at the 19th Meeting of Parties held in September 2007 in Montreal, the member countries agreed to accelerate the phase out date to 2030.

The Ozone layer acts like a shield in the upper atmosphere (stratosphere) to protect life on earth from harmful ultra violet radiation.

In 1974, scientists discovered that emissions of CFCs were depleting the ozone in the stratosphere.

CFCs were a common aerosol propellant in spray cans and were also used as refrigerants, solvents and foam blowing agents.

In the 1980s, scientist observed a thinning of the ozone layer over Antarctica and persons deemed it an “ozone hole”.

As the scientific knowledge about ozone depletion grew, so did the response issue.

In 1987, leaders from many countries came together to sign a landmark environmental treaty the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer.

Today, more than 190 countries have ratified the treaty.

The phase out of ozone depleting substances has also made a substantial contribution towards the reduction of greenhouse gases since their global warming potential is very high.

Guyana has been a party to the Montreal Protocol and also Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer since August 12, 1993.

Guyana is classified as an Article Five country under the Protocol (meaning that its annual per capita consumption and production of ozone depleting substances is less than 0.3 kg).

As Guyana neither exports nor manufactures the products, the extent of Guyana’s uses is confined generally to the refrigeration and air conditioning sector.

In 1998, the Hydrometeorological Service, Ministry of Agriculture became the designated focal point for the Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer and the Montreal Protocol.

The National Ozone Action Unit (NOAU) was then created within the Hydrometeorological Service, and is mandated to ensure that Guyana complies with its obligations under the Montreal Protocol.