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The UAE is keen to activate its multiple contributions, and within an exceptional framework in supporting international efforts to protect and preserve the ozone layer, and mitigate and adapt to climate change, and to confirm its commitment to these efforts in preserving the ozone layer and protecting human health, it has joined the Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer and the Montreal Protocol. , on substances that deplete the ozone layer in 1989, and the country’s instruments of accession to the Convention and the Protocol were deposited on December 13, 1989.
The Montreal Protocol and its amendments aim to gradually eliminate substances that deplete the ozone layer, leading to their elimination as a final goal based on developments in scientific knowledge. The relevant authorities and institutions in the country also take it upon themselves to spread awareness about environmental sustainability issues, encourage community participation, and support national strategies related to work. climatic.
Dr. Ibrahim Ali Muhammad, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Friends of the Environment Society, confirmed: “The UAE has intensified its efforts to strengthen procedures and efforts to reduce the consumption of substances that deplete the ozone layer, which is one of the most important environmental issues with global weight, and to raise awareness of the health, environmental and economic consequences and effects caused by these substances.” It seeks to stimulate and accelerate the pace of global action to confront the challenge of climate change and preserve the planet Earth.”
He added: “The UAE was not satisfied with issuing laws and legislation that work to protect the ozone layer, and it went beyond that by intensifying its efforts to raise the level of awareness of the importance of this, develop the capabilities working in this field, and promote and encourage the introduction of safe alternatives to ozone-depleting substances. It also encouraged the participation of the private sector in recovering and recycling Refrigerant gases used in the country, according to specific conditions and controls that ensure that the operations and activities carried out by these companies are consistent with the principles and provisions of relevant international agreements.
Engineer Dr. Saleh Salem Al Balushi, Secretary of the Society, pointed out that the UAE has ratified the Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer and the Protocol based on Cabinet Resolution No. (11/204) of 1989.
He added: “The Protocol witnessed 5 amendments that focused on adding new compounds to the Protocol and timetables for their implementation, namely the London Amendment 1990, the Copenhagen Amendment 1992, the Montreal Amendment 1997, the Beijing Amendment 1999, and the Kigali Amendment 2016. The first four amendments were ratified under Federal Decree No. 72 of the year 2004, and its membership entered into force on February 16, 2005.” He stressed that the state worked to implement all the obligations stipulated by the Montreal Protocol, and to implement the decisions issued by the Conferences of the Parties in its previous sessions, through its own efforts, as it developed early on a pioneering program to eliminate Gradual consumption of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) that deplete the ozone layer, and this program achieved important successes that resulted in reducing the imported quantities of these compounds by a high percentage estimated at 100%.
Essential role
Dr. Faris Hawari, Dean of the College of Humanities and Sciences and Director of General Education Programs at Ajman University, said: “Ozone has an essential role in protecting life on Earth from the harmful effects of ultraviolet rays. However, many human and natural factors have led to the erosion of the ozone layer, which is considered a protective shield from these harmful radiations.
“This erosion has caused serious consequences for public health and the environment, such as increased rates of various types of cancer and soil infertility, which negatively affects the growth of plant roots and seeds.”
Dr. Hawari praised the state’s efforts to protect the ozone layer, considering that these efforts represent a victory for science and contribute to saving humanity from environmental and climate challenges. He stressed that environmental sustainability is an essential element in protecting the ozone layer, as preserving it is closely linked to global food security. If Failure to take the necessary measures to protect ozone will lead to the killing of bacteria necessary to fertilize the soil, which will prevent agriculture and lead to crop spoilage.
Monitor developments
Dr. Mohammed Al-Musleh, Assistant Professor at the College of Engineering and Physical Sciences and member of the Artificial Intelligence Committee for Teaching and Learning at Heriot-Watt University in Dubai, said: “Scientific research remains necessary to monitor new developments in the environment, as climate change may affect the speed of the ozone layer’s recovery, and there is “More research is needed to understand the effects of new chemicals used in industries, and continued studies on how the ozone layer interacts with changing human activities remains necessary to avoid any future damage.”
Dr. Rahaf Ajaj, Assistant Professor at the College of Health Sciences at Abu Dhabi University, pointed out that it is necessary for the concerned authorities in the country to develop scientific research related to the environment and climate protection, and to carry out sustainable scientific studies, in accordance with the highest international standards, to help avoid any environmental damage, and to contribute to Access to a sustainable green environment and improved quality of life.
decisions
The Ministry of Climate Change and Environment strengthened the country’s efforts to confront the challenges of climate change, most notably the protection of the ozone layer, by issuing Resolution No. (138) of 2023 regarding regulating the circulation of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) in the country, with the aim of regulating their circulation and preventing their release into the atmosphere, based on It is its responsibility to find solutions and impose rules and regulations, to reduce climate change, improve air quality, and preserve the environment.
The UAE, through its relevant institutions, the Ministry of Higher Education, and universities, stresses the need to pay attention to strengthening scientific research, and accelerating the pace of efforts aimed at finding applicable practical techniques and solutions in this field, by granting research grants to finance scientific visits for members of academic bodies, funding grants for the research of postgraduate students, and awards for researchers. And innovators, and its efforts to protect the ozone layer were strengthened by the Council of Ministers adopting, in accordance with its Resolution No. 26 of 2014, the national system for substances that deplete the ozone layer. This system subjected all devices, equipment and products in which substances that deplete the ozone layer to control and prohibited the import of used ones. The system also prohibited Import, export or re-export of controlled substances that deplete the ozone layer to and from countries not party to the Montreal Protocol.
