National Ozone Action Unit (NOAU)

The Cooperative Republic of Guyana acceded to the Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer and the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer on August 12, 1993 and subsequently ratified the London Amendment, Copenhagen Amendment and Montreal Amendment on July 23, 1999.

Guyana was identified as a low volume consumer (LVC) and as an Article 5 country. With the assistance of the Multilateral Fund (MLF) through its implementing agency – the United Nations Environment Programme and the Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean (UNEP/ROLAC), the approved Country Programme was formulated. This provided the basis for the designated focal point for the Montreal Protocol – the Ministry of Agriculture, Hydrometeorological Service (HYMS) – to establish the National Ozone Action Unit (NOAU).

The NOAU/HYMS is responsible for coordinating and monitoring all activities towards the smooth phase-out of man-made Ozone Depleting Substances (ODS) in Guyana.

Ultimately, the objective is to cease the emission of all ODS – chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), halons, methyl bromide, etc – into the atmosphere where it destroys the protective Ozone Layer. The Ozone Layer acts as a ‘shield’ against the sun’s harmful Ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation. Excessive exposure to UVB rays can lead to skin cancers, cataracts and weakened immune systems.

Guyana

As a developing country, Guyana must cease consumption of CFCs by 2010 and Hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFC) by 2040. Consumption is defined as production plus imports minus exports.

Guyana neither produces nor exports CFCs and HCFCs, these substances are only imported for use in the Refrigeration Sector. The chart shows the country’s annual consumption data of Annex A Group 1 Substances. See the Customs Quicktool for the various classifications.

The Refrigerant Management Plan

Hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) have been used as CFC alternatives in refrigeration but are considered “transitional substances” and they too will be phased out.

The main global refrigerant options for the long term are HFCs and HFC-blends, ammonia, hydrocarbons and blends, carbon dioxide, and water. All have advantages and disadvantages that should be considered, e.g. performance, toxicity, flammability, global warming potential, energy efficiency, and cost.

Refrigerant management encompasses replacement of CFCs and HCFCs by other refrigerants, recovery and recycling, and retrofitting of existing equipment. Refrigerant Management Plans are important tools for developing countries to develop and implement integrated, cost-effective strategies for ODS phase out in this sector

Refrigeration Technicians are urged to use the Refrigerant Recovery Data Form to record their data for submission to the NOAU, either by email or post. This is very important in assessing the consumption of Guyana’s refrigeration technicians.

Training

Through the financial and technical assistance of the MLF and UNEP/ROLAC, the NOAU is able to provide information, equipment and training to refrigeration technicians and Customs Officers

Training for refrigeration technicians under the Refrigerant Management Plan

In keeping with the Refrigerant Management Plan, the NOAU will be hosting a series of training courses on for refrigeration technicians.

Training of refrigeration technicians is a major part Guyana’s effort to eliminate all consumption of ODS by the year 2010. It is expected to enhance good servicing and business practices in the refrigeration sector, assisting the sector to make a smooth, complete transition from CFC technologies to ozone-friendly products without causing an unnecessary burden to the technicians or the consumers.

Register now for upcoming training courses under the Refrigerant Management Plan.

Training for Customs Officers

The NOAU, in collaboration with the Guyana Revenue Authority – Customs & Trade Administration, offers information and training to Customs Officers. Training is intended to enable them to monitor and control the imports, exports and illegal trade of ODS.

Public Awareness

Ozone Day 2009

Guyana observed international day for the preservation of the ozone layer 2009 with a number of activities these included:

1. Distribution of Ozonaction Education Packs to secondary schools and information materials to primary schools. Schools were encouraged to plan activities for students to commemorate ozone day.

2. The ozone Unit collaborated with the Environmental Protection Agency for the publication of three newspaper articles, including message on international ozone day by Secretary General, of the United Nations, Ban Ki Moon, on September 16, 2009.

3. A short ozone day public awareness note was broadcasted to local mobile phone users through Guyana Telephone and telegraph text-messaging service.

4. Symposium on alternative technologies

To sustain the phase out of CFCs in Guyana and allow for the smooth transition of users and importers to new ozone friendly alternatives, the National Ozone Action Unit hosted a symposium on alternative technologies on September 16, 2009 from 1600 hours at the Ministry of Agriculture. This symposium which coincided with Ozone Day observances was conducted under the theme “Business and economic implications and opportunities arising from the adoption of new non-ozone depleting technologies”.

This symposium was considered timely and necessary in Guyana’s efforts to sustain the phase out of CFCs locally. The symposium facilitated discussions on the way forward for adoption of ozone friendly technologies available in the refrigeration and air conditioning sector locally as well as to celebrate local stakeholders who have made significant strides in adapting environmentally friendly practices in the refrigeration and air conditioning sector.

Participants were drawn from various groups. These included, architects, importers of refrigerants and refrigeration air conditioning equipment, corporate refrigerant users, technicians in the formal and informal sectors and relevant government agencies (please see attached listed of proposed invitees). Local resource personnel were drawn from the University of Guyana, the Government Technical Institute, Guyana’s Beverage Giant – Banks DIH, Hydrometeorological Service and Ministry of Agriculture.

Presentations included:

• Energy efficiency in building designs – Mr. Lennox Hernandez, Senior Lecturer, Department of Architecture, University of Guyana

• Implications for Alternative refrigerants: Guyana’s Scenario - Mr. Patrick Chinedu, Principal, Government Technical Institute, Guyana

• Company Initiative – Mr. Roger Astwood, Banks DIH, Guyana

International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer - 20th Anniversary

Without the Montreal Protocol, it was projected that ozone depletion would have resulted in a doubling of the UVB radiation reaching the Earth in the northern mid-latitudes and quadrupling in the southern mid-latitudes by 2050. The number of cases of skin cancers and eye cataracts would have been in the millions.

Assuming that the Montreal Protocol is fully implemented, it is anticipated that the ozone layer recovery in the mid-latitudes and the Arctic will occur by 2049, and in the Antarctica, recovery is expected by 2065.

Failure on any country’s part to comply with the Montreal Protocol could result in a delay, or even prevention, in the recovery process of the ozone layer.