World Ozone Day celebrations kick off later this week on 16 September, 2022.
The theme for the 2022 International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer is Montreal Protocol@35: global cooperation protecting life on earth.
The theme recognises the wider impact the Montreal Protocol has on climate change and the need to act in collaboration, forge partnerships and develop global cooperation to address climate challenges and protect life on earth for future generations.
Australia has played a leading role in the region to help Pacific Island neighbours phase out remaining HCFCs.
Earlier this year a long list of representatives from Australia met with ozone officers from Pacific Island countries including the Cook Islands, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Nauru, Niue, Palau, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, Fiji and Papua New Guinea.
Representatives from the Government of Australia, the Air-conditioning and Refrigeration Equipment Manufacturers Association (AREMA) of Australia, and UN Environment Programme (UNEP) OzonAction Compliance Assistance Programme (CAP), came together to discuss the phase out management plan.
Hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) are substances controlled under the Montreal Protocol that are scheduled to be phased out worldwide by 2030.