World Ozone Day, celebrated annually on the 16th of September, is a global event aiming to raise awareness about the alarming issue of ozone layer depletion and the collective worldwide efforts to counter it. The day marks the historic signing of the Montreal Protocol in 1987, an influential international treaty focused on eliminating the production and consumption of harmful Ozone Depleting Substances (ODS). The faith in this event led to the Vienna Convention in 1985 and the subsequent Montreal Protocol two years later.
The Role of Ozone and International Responses
The ozone layer, found in the stratosphere approximately 10 to 40 kilometers above the Earth’s surface, protects us from detrimental UV radiation. This protective barrier, also known as stratospheric ozone or ‘good ozone’, inhibits health problems like cataracts, skin cancer and safeguards agriculture, forestry, and the marine ecosystem. Yet, human-manufactured ODS have led to substantial depletion in the stratospheric ozone. This realization prompted the global community to take remedial actions such as the Vienna Convention.
India’s Achievements in Implementing the Montreal Protocol
India joined the Montreal Protocol in June 1992. Since then, the country has made significant strides towards implementing the protocol’s guidelines. India successfully eradicated ODS like Chlorofluorocarbons, Carbon Tetrachloride, Halons, Methyl Bromide, and Methyl Chloroform for regulated uses by 1st January 2010.
It is currently in the process of phasing out Hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs), having completed Stage-I from 2012 to 2016, with Stage-II ongoing until the end of 2024. The nation outdid its target by achieving a 44% reduction in HCFCs by 1st January 2020, surpassing the baseline’s 35%.
The India Cooling Action Plan (ICAP), launched in March 2019, concentrates on reducing cooling demand, shifting to alternative refrigerants, improving energy efficiency, and promoting technological progress.
The Inception of the Kigali Amendment and India’s HFC Phase-Down
The addition of Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) to the Montreal Protocol gave rise to the Kigali Amendment, which India ratified in September 2021. The phasedown of HFC production and consumption, starting from 2032 in India, aligns with the amendment’s objectives.
Understanding Tropospheric Ozone
Tropospheric or ground-level ozone, also known as ‘bad ozone’, is a short-lived climate pollutant that remains in the atmosphere for only hours to weeks. It doesn’t have any direct emission sources. Instead, it forms when sunlight interacts with volatile organic compounds (VOCs) – including methane – and nitrogen oxides (NOX), which are primarily emitted by human activities.
Strategies for preventing the formation of tropospheric ozone mainly revolve around methane reductions and reducing atmospheric pollution levels emitted by vehicles, power plants, and other similar sources.
The Gothenburg Protocol: Addressing Air Pollutants
Established in 1999, the Gothenburg Protocol deals with pollutants causing acidification and ground-level ozone. It sets limits on hazardous air pollutants such as sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxide, ammonia, and VOCs, which pose threats to human health and the environment. In 2012, the protocol was updated to include particulate matter (PM) and black carbon (as a PM component), along with new commitments for 2020.
Finally, it’s important to be aware of the various protocols and conventions associated with ozone layer preservation. This understanding helps to answer complex questions in competitive exams like the UPSC Civil Services Examination.
