|
 Since
1992 Sida has been supporting, in addition to Sweden's contribution
to the Multilateral Fund, a network for government officers functionally
responsible for phasing out ozone depleting substances in their
countries. This network, called the Ozone Officers Network for Southeast
Asia and the Pacific, or ODSONET/SEAP, is managed by UNEP as part
of its global networking under the OzonAction Programme. The Network,
based on the experience of the Nordic countries in cooperating on
ODS issues, is widely considered a success and has been emulated
in other parts of the world. Member countries include: Brunei Darussalam,
Cambodia, Fiji, Indonesia, Lao P.D.R., Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines,
Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam - and two developed countries,
Australia and Sweden.
The overall objectives of the ODSONET/SEAP are to promote early
elimination of the use of ozone depleting substances (ODSs) in member
countries of the network, including limiting short-term increases,
and to help the countries meet their obligations as Parties to the
Montreal Protocol. The project enhances the ability of Ozone Officers
to design and implement phase-out policies, strategies, and programmes
that are appropriate to the conditions in their countries. It does
this by promoting exchange of experiences, and sharing of information
and approaches among the Network members, developed country partners,
technical experts, Ozone Secretariat, Multilateral Fund Secretariat,
Implementing Agencies, and other organizations and individuals experienced
with the ODS phase out.
The Regional Network Coordinator (RNC) based at UNEP Bangkok, is
assisted by a Policy and Enforcement Officer, a Refrigerant Management
Plan (RMP) Officer and a Methyl Bromide Officer. Together, this
team of experts oversees and addresses the needs of the SEAP Ozone
Officers.
During the past four years, ODSONET/SEAP has been addressing critical
issues facing the countries in meeting the main obligations of the
Montreal Protocol, in particular, the 50% and 85% reductions in
CFC consumption in 2005 and 2007, respectively. According to the
2005 Article 7 data, all the SEAP countries are meeting the 50%
reduction target though some countries need to closely monitor their
consumption in order to maintain their compliance in 2006. The 85%
reduction target will be a major challenge for all countries given
that most of the consumption is in the refrigeration and air-conditioning
servicing sector which is recognized as one of the most difficult
sectors to phase-out. Another emerging issue concerns the difficulty
in controlling and monitoring the import and use of methyl bromide
for Quarantine and Pre-shipment (QPS) and non-QPS applications.
Since methyl bromide use for QPS is exempted, there is a risk of
diversion of QPS import to non-QPS application.
With this in mind, the SEAP Network has supported the Ozone Officers
to address different issues and challenges in the servicing sector
including: country survey of contaminated refrigerants from introduction
of blends and fake refrigerants into the market; improving standards
of practice in the servicing sector through good practice training
and setting up of refrigeration associations; consideration for
stockpiling to meet service tails of installed equipment; and disposal
of contaminated refrigerants and end-of-life ODS based equipment.
The SEAP Network has extensively discussed the needs to improve
control and monitor of methyl bromide for QPS and non-QPS uses.
Another highlight of the SEAP network is the south-south cooperation
on cross-border trade between neighboring countries (Cambodia, Lao
PDR, Thailand and Vietnam) where the Ozone and Customs Officers
agreed to share their trade information to improve the control of
ODS trade between the countries and to prevent illegal trade.
During the past fifteen years, Sida's support to the Network has
strengthened the capabilities and confidence of the Ozone Officers,
and thereby accelerated the formulation of policies and regulations
in the member countries. The support has promoted a faster ODS phase
out by providing a mechanism through which the countries can share
ideas, discuss and find solutions to common problems, and replicate
each other's best programmes with increased confidence they will
succeed.
One of the biggest achievements of the SEAP Network was the trust
established between the Ozone Officers through close relationship
developed during the network meetings over the past years. This
has allowed the Ozone Officers to share sensitive information and
help each other to meet the common goals of the Montreal Protocol.
The SEAP and South Asia Network, with bilateral support from Sweden
to strengthen cooperation between Customs and Ozone officers at
the regional and national levels, has targeted growing problems
of illegal trade of ODS in the region. Major achievements from this
bilateral project include: development and sharing of information
sheet on official importers and exporters in each country; voluntary
adoption of prior informed consent procedure to control the export
of CFCs to countries in the region with Singapore taking a leading
example; and sharing of information on ODS trade that led to bilateral
cooperation to address discrepancy between importing and exporting
countries.
The SEAP network will focus on the following issues:
- Strengthening capacity on monitor and sustain phase-out measures
in order to meet the 85% reduction target in 2007 and final phase-out
in 2010.
- Review and improve control and monitoring of methyl bromide
for QPS and non-QPS import.
- Establishing appropriate measures to address contaminated /unwanted
ODS such as establishing labelling requirement for all refrigerants
including blends and alternatives.
- Developing MDI transition strategy in LVCs through sharing of
experiences from advanced countries.
- Continue cooperation between Customs-ODS Officers through extension
of Swedish bilateral project and strengthening ODS trade through
prior informed consent procedure.
Mr Thanavat Junchaya
Regional Network Coordinator
UNEP Regional Office for Asia and Pacific (ROAP)
UN Building, 2B
Rajadamnern Nok Avenue
Bangkok 10200, Thailand
Tel: +662 288 2128
Fax: +662 280 3829
Email: junchaya@un.org
|
