What's New in OzonAction!

This section provides links to current news releases, recent updates and services and more.

2010

Added	Ozone Layer Protection in Armenia Ms Asiya Muradyan is the Armenian National Ozone Officer. In this video clip she highlights the activities, successes and future challenges of the National Ozone Office. She also highlights Armenia's works on the preparation of HCFC Phase-out Management Plan (HPMP) and the main challenge is to introduce regulatory measures on time for ensuring smooth decrease in HCFC consumption and the important task is to raise skills of customs officers to monitor import/export of HCFCs. UNEP OzonAction 2 March 2010
New	Jump Start: HCFC Phase-out for Ozone and Climate Benefit UNEP OzonAction 26 March 2010
Added	New Technology on Refrigeration & Air-conditioning using Natural Refrigerants In this short video clip, Dr Risto Ciconkov, a professor in Refrigeration and Air-conditioning and Energy Saving at the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Skopje University "Sv. Kiril & Metodij, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, explains to UNEP OzonAction the new technology on Refrigeration and Air-conditioning using natural refrigerants. Play video UNEP OzonAction 25 February 2010
New	Media Strategy: Policies, Planning, Approaches defined to Heal the Ozone Layer This Media Strategy paper focuses on leveraging the expertise and multiplier effect of the media to reach out the highlights of events and activities related to the implementation of the Montreal Protocol , on emerging issues and remaining challenges under the Montreal Protocol in order to inspire other countries to accelerate their phase out efforts and to reach out the lessons from the Montreal Protocol. Read more... Mobilise Co-Financing Ozone Protection and Climate Change: Partnership with Private Sector on Information, Education and Communication This paper recognizes this important mile-stone event and considers the remaining tasks under the Montreal Protocol i.e. servicing the existing CFC based equipment, disposal and management of the CFC banks, remaining phase out of Methyl Bromide and ensuring the sustainability of the phase out of the Ozone Depleting Substances (ODS) that has already taken place. Read more... UNEP OzonAction 24 February 2010
New	Vacancy Announcement: Senior Environmental Affairs Officer-P5 Closing date for applications: 19 April 2010. Go to vacancy announcement... OzonAction programme , a star programme of UNEP, that is known for the innovation, creativity, delivery and result based management is scouting for the candidate for its pivotal position of Network and Policy Manager for overseeing its unique and ever active regional networks of government focal points from 145 developing countries in 10 regions all over the world. This officer, who will be a member of UNEP's Compliance Assistance Programme, will supervise, coordinate and support in substance the operation of the regional activities, including: a) Give substantive guidance to the Regional Network Coordinators on information to be provided to national ODS officers, b) Guide the RNCs on the preparation of the RNCs' work programme and the operation of each network, c) Collect, analyze and present information on critical issues at the annual meetings, e) Secure exchange of experience between networks and promote coordination between the network activities and other OzonAction activities, d) Establish strategic linkages with networking activities, institutional strengthening, training and implementation of national compliance plans, e) Identify the linkages between the Montreal and Kyoto Protocols and facilitate the transfer of environmentally friendly technologies and policies among network members, f) Select and follow-up the recruitment of suitable RNCs, including introductory training of RNCs. This officer will also be responsible for monitor the progress, results and expenditure within the programme, and preparing inputs to yearly requests for continued funding. Qualified candidates should have work experience dealing with environmental issues on the national and/or international level with substantive experience in preparing and/or implementing national governmental policies to phase-out ODS; experience in cooperation with Ozone Officers from developing countries, experience in project management and ODS and Montreal Protocol related issues from international organizations. UNEP is looking for the candidates who would work under the direction of Head, OzonAction Branch of UNEP DTIE, and should possess exceptional qualities with managerial and leadership attributes.
New	United Nations Development Group Invites OzonAction to Present Linkages Between Ozone and Climate ChangeUnited Nations Development Group (UNDG) Asia Pacific invited Rajendra Shende, Head of OzonAction, to give a presentation on "Linkages between ozone and climate issues and its implications for the Region". The meeting, which took place in Vanuatu, Port-Vila, on 8 - 9 February 2010, discussed the coordinated work of various UN agencies in the Asia Pacific Region and in particular, in Pacific Island countries. UNDG unites the 32 UN funds, programmes, agencies, departments, and offices that play a role in development. The group's common objective is to deliver more coherent, effective and efficient support to countries seeking to attain internationally agreed development goals, including the Millennium Development Goals. The meeting was attended by AP representatives of UNDP, FAO, ILO, ESCAP, UNEP, UNESCO, UNFPA, UN Habitat, UNHCR, UNICEF, UN ODC, UNOPS, WHO, WFP, UNAIDS. In his presentation Mr Shende highlighted the multitudes of benefits that resulted from the implementation of the Montreal Protocol, particularly related to climate and energy efficiency in refrigeration and air conditioning appliances.
New	ECA Ozone Protection Award 2010 for Customs and Enforcement Officers: Individual Customs and Enforcement officers who have successfully prevented illegal trade of ozone-depleting substances (ODS) or products / equipment relying on ODS to or from member countries of the regional ozone network for Europe and Central Asia (ECA network) are eligible to be nominated for the ECA Ozone Protection Award 2010. Nominations should be submitted by the National Ozone Units to the coordinator of the ECA network by 30 June 2010. Read more... 15 February 2010
Article	UN Agency Assisting Vanuatu to Move out of Blacklist - Countries in the world that has signed and ratified the protocol to phase out ozone depleting substances in the country such as Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) but has not complied with the international agreement it signed. The Vanuatu Government is working together with United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) officials that are in the country to assist in the return to compliance to the protection of the stratospheric ozone layer protocol. The return to compliance will be beneficial not only for Vanuatu but also to the global environment, especially when Vanuatu has been vocal on the issue of climate change that is also affecting the country as a result of the destruction of the environment’s natural protection by dangerous chemicals used by humans for luxury purposes. Read more... 15 February 2010
Added	Ruamrudee International School's Activities on International Ozone Day 2009 - This video highlights how the Ruamrudee International School in cooperation with UNEP commemorated Ozone Day in 2009. Tree planting, music, dance, competitions, poster drawing, lectures on the science behind ozone etc. were some of the activities in the programme. Play video 15 February 2010
Added	Ozzy Ozone and Friends is a video play in Macedonian language on ozone layer protection. It is produced by the National Ozone Unit, Macedonia. Play video 11 February 2010
Added	Fix That Hole: Fix that Hole is a song by the Kaya Green Band from the Philippines. It was composed and performed exclusively as part of the 2009 International Ozone Day Celebration at Ruamrudee International School (RIS), Bangkok, Thailand. Play track 11 February 2010
New	Words Unify to Protect the Ozone Layer This is a compilation of unique and inspiring quotations from individuals all around the world ranging from world dignitaries, nobel laureates, environmental enthusiasts and even children, who are all concerned about the damage caused to the ozone layer, and who have conviction in the success of the Montreal Protocol treaty. January 2010 | UNEP OzonAction
New	Strategic Action Plan for Information, Education and Communication (IEC) Activities for Asia and the Pacific Region This document is intended to take forward the Global Communications Strategy for Compliance with the Montreal Protocol; and its application to the specific context of the Asia Pacific region, outlined in the booklet “Saving Our Sky”. The objective of this document is not to redefine the existing strategic framework, but to review its practical implementation, and to define a clear direction for moving forward, taking into consideration the current status of the Montreal Protocol in the region and the key challenges of the next phase of compliance from 2008-2010.. January 2010 | UNEP ROAP
New	Patterns of Achievement - Africa and the Montreal Protocol 2009 The African Montreal Protocol experience is not just One Success Story but several successful cases being highlighted in this publication, each with its specific theme contributing to the wider picture of the success of the Montreal Protocol. November 2009 | UNEP ROA
New	Ozone Protection and National Security - A Military Perspective Toolkit for Defence Forces This document demonstrates how military strategy, organization and actions can be applied to solve a wide range of environmental challenges including stratospheric ozone depletion, climate change, and ecological restoration. Civilian policy makers will want to take on board this strategic approach and explore how environmental authorities can expand cooperation with their own military organizations to keep the world safe for future generations. November 2009 | UNEP ROAP
New	OzonAction Education Pack for Secondary Schools in Russian January 2010