The Chinese government's commitment to protect the ozone layer
has made remarkable progress, said Vice Minister of the State
Environmental Protection Administration (SEPA) Wang Jirong. Wang
was attending a celebration in Xi'an, northwest China's Shaanxi
Province, in honor of International Ozone Day on Thursday.
By the end of last year, production and consumption of
chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), major ozone depleting substances
(ODSs), had dropped 40 percent and 55 percent, respectively, from
1997 levels. Production and consumption of halons, used mainly as a
fire-extinguishing agent, had dropped 85 percent.
"We are confident of our ability to reach the goal set for 2010 to
reduce the production and consumption of major ODSs to zero and
will thus realize the Chinese government's commitment to the
international community, "Wang said.
The Multilateral Fund, an organization created to provide money for
developing countries to reduce CFC use, has approved US$740 million
to support China's phase-out efforts. These involve more than 400
projects.
Over the past several years, China's enterprises and research
bodies have been able to develop and produce a series of ODS
substitutes, Wang stated.
In addition, the country has set up a system of policies, laws and
regulations on the phase-out of ODSs.
Marco Antonio Gonzalez, executive secretary of the United Nations
Environment Program Ozone Secretariat, said China's achievements in
ozone layer protection are noteworthy.
However, the country needs to strengthen its enforcement framework
to control the production, consumption and trade of ODSs, he said,
and sharpen its focus on research and development of ODS
substitutes.
At the event in Xi'an, nine organizations, companies and
individuals were granted Ozone Layer Protection Contribution
Awards, which were initiated last year to reward those making
remarkable contributions to the protection of the ozone
layer.
CFCs and other ODSs were once widely used as refrigerants,
insulating foams, and solvents. When CFCs reach the stratosphere,
they react with the ultraviolet radiation from the sun, starting a
cycle of ozone destruction.
A diminished ozone layer allows more radiation, such as ultraviolet
rays, to reach the Earth's surface. Excessive exposure to UV rays
can lead to skin cancer, cataracts and weakened immune systems.
Increased UV can also lead to reduced crop yield and disruptions in
the marine food chain.
In 1995, the UN decided to mark September 16 as International Ozone
Day.
(China Daily, China.org.cn September 17, 2004)