Since the mid-1970s scientists have been concerned about the harmful effects of certain Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) on the ozone layer. These CFC compounds are relatively inert and nontoxic, and humans found a use for them as cooling agents in refrigerators and air conditioning systems amongst other things. Because they are so inert, when CFCs become discharged into the atmosphere they diffuse and do not decompose straightaway - not until they are hit by short-wave UV radiation. This occurs in the ozone layer.
When a CFC is hit by UV radiation, it loses its chlorine atom. This chlorine atom acts as a catalyst. It is able to steal one oxygen atom away from an ozone molecule, leaving an oxygen molecule and chlorine oxide. Chlorine oxide can then react with a single oxygen atom to form an oxygen molecule and a chlorine atom. This cycle means the chlorine atom is free to break up another ozone molecule. One chlorine atom can destroy up to 100,000 ozone molecules before it is removed by some other reaction. This can devastating for the ozone layer. It disrupts the delicate flux and causes ozone to be destroyed faster than it is created. Polar stratospheric clouds also catalyse ozone depletion by active chlorine.
Keeping in view Pakistan's commitments to the international community, an Ozone Cell under the project entitled "Institutional Strengthening of Ozone Cell for the Implementation of the Montreal Protocol with the financial assistance of Multilateral Fund of the Montreal Protocol has been established under the M/o Environment since January 1996.
Due to outstanding and remarkable performance at (OEWG 29) the Joint Meeting of the South East Asia & Pacific (SEAP) and South Asia (SA) Networks held on 8-10 October 2009 in Chiangmai, Thailand again selected Pakistan as Co-Chair for the MOP 21 at Port Ghalib, Egypt, from 3 to 8 November 2009. It is worth mentioning here that the MOP 21 is the highest forum of the Montreal Protocol. This is the first time that Pakistan has occupied the position of Co-Chair of this highest forum.
Pakistan elected as Vice President of the Bureau of 21st Meeting of the Parties to represent Asia and Pacific region. 21st Meeting of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol held in November 2009 at Port Ghalib, Egypt.
Pakistan got the certificate of Recognition for compliance with the 2010 obligations to phase out Annex A Group I, Annex A Group II, Annex B Group I and Annex B Group II of the Ozone Depleting Substances. Mr Marco Gonzalez, Executive Secretary, Ozone Secretariat presented the certificate of Recognition to Pakistan at the Joint Meeting of South Asia and South East Asia and the Pacific Networks of Ozone Officers on 17th October, 2011 at Pokhara, Nepal. Pakistan has had the distinction to chair the bureau of Meeting of the Parties of Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer and the High Level Segment inauguration during 25th MOP.
Ozone Cell in collaboration with Ministry of Commerce imposed ban on import of CTC in May 2007, to ensure Pakistan's compliance. Ozone Secretariat awarded Certificate of Recognition to Pakistan in 2007 as a token of its remarkable contribution towards global efforts for the preservation of ozone layer.
Converted 21 CFC based projects into ozone friendly technology in foam and refrigeration sector at the cluster places of Karachi, Hyderabad, Okara, Lahore, Islamabad and Peshawar through the World Bank till 2008). Converted 36 CTC-based projects into ozone friendly technology in the metal cleaning and solvent sector (cutlery/surgical industry) at Lahore, Gujranwala, Wazirabad, Sialkot through UNIDO (till 2008). Trained 350 Custom officials through the Directorate General of Training and Research (Customs) in collaboration with UNIDO to enhance their capacity to curb illegal trade of ODS.
-- Completed training of 3000 refrigeration servicing technicians in 1st generation of ODS Sector.
In 2008, Completed the conduction of country-wide data collection survey in co-ordination with UNEP to identify the Hydro-chlorofluorocarbons (HCFC) based industry vis-a-vis volume of HCFC being consumed in refrigeration/foam industry throughout the country for preparation of HCFC accelerated Phase out Management Plan (HPMP) for the conversion of HCFC industry into Hydro-fluorocarbons (HFC).
Held International Awareness and Information Workshop on Preparation of Transition Strategy for CFC MDIs on 13th March, 2009 at Karachi in collaboration with UNEP, UNDP and national stakeholders. At Twentieth Meeting of Parties to the Montreal Protocol (MOP-20), held at Doha, Qatar Pakistan was elected as Co-Chair of the Open Ended Working Group (OEWG) for the year 2009 to represent the developing countries. This was for the first time that Pakistan was elected for such a prestigious position sign joining the Montreal Protocol in 1992.
Pakistan has been elected as Vice President of the Bureau of the Executive Committee of the Montreal Protocol for the year 2010 at the 21st Meeting of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol, held in November 2009 at Port Ghalib, Egypt Pakistan secured this prestigious position for the second time. Previously, Pakistan was elected for this position at 18th Meeting of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol held in October 2006 at New Delhi, India.
-- Meetings with national & international implementing agencies UNEP UNIDO and UNDP regarding the HPMP implementation in Pakistan were held on 9-10 March, 2011 and in a detail the role of each implementing agency in implementation of HPMP was discussed in line with the discussions during the meetings important decisions made regarding HPMP.
-- Launched HCFC phase out Management Plan for Pakistan on 8th March, 2011 by which Pakistan will be able to phase out the use of HCFC in foam, refrigeration and Air Conditioning sector.
-- Developed a video on Ozone layer protection in collaboration with HUM TV. The video won the 1st prize in Asia Pacific region during 2012. Developed a tableau on Ozone Protection in collaboration with OPF Girls School Islamabad in 2012.
-- Pakistan freeze the import of HCFC at baseline of 247.4 ODP tons in 2013.
Pakistan has had the distinction to chair the 25th Meeting of the Parties of -- Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer.
-- More than 200 HCFC refrigerant technicians were trained under HPMP non-investment portion. (ie 2012-13)
-- More than 100 custom officers trained under HPMP non-investment portion (ie 2012-13)
-- Hold Essay competition among different universities students all over Pakistan in 2014.
-- Organised speech competition among the students of different Islamabad universities on 16th September 2014
-- Converted 5 HCFC base industries into Ozone Friendly Technology during 2013-15.
-- On 1st January, 2015 Pakistan achieved the 10% reduction targets of HCFCs.