|| Results of the first environment journalist competition on Ozone will be announced soon. ||

Dear Journalists,

This is what you have been waiting for! There is now a small corner of cyberspace where you can find out more about ozone layer protection and its linkages with climate change.
Read more...

	Jump Start: HCFC Phase-out for Ozone and Climate Benefit UNEP OzonAction 26 February 2010
	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; and build the capacity of the Media to understand, digest, and disseminate the 'multitude' of benefits of the Montreal Protocol, notably related to climate change so that compliance with the Protocol proceeds with full environmental co benefits. 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. It proposes enhancing existing and new partnerships with the private sector that has played and continues to play very constructive and positive role in implementing the Montreal Protocol. UNEP OzonAction aims, by following approaches defined in this paper, to promote ozone and climate friendly phase out activities during the 'second phase' of the Montreal Protocol and more importantly enable the developing countries to accrue significant climate benefit. Read more... 24 February 2010
	The Maldives, the First Winner in Carbon Neutral and Ozone-Friendly Race - The Maldives pledged to phase out Hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs)- a group of chemicals which are ozone-depleting and powerful greenhouse gases by 2020, 20 years ahead of the Montreal Protocol phase out schedule. This decision is in line with the country’s pledge to go carbon neutral by 2020 as its contribution to tackling climate change. Read more... 17 February 2010
	UN Agency assisting Vanuatu to move out of blacklist - 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... 9 February 2010
	New rules open door for major climate benefits - Billions of tons of ozone-destroying and climate-warming chemicals currently contained in unwanted stockpiles and discarded equipment will leak into the atmosphere if not recovered and destroyed. But new rules on ozone-depleting substance destruction adopted by a carbon market offset registry, the Climate Action Reserve, could jumpstart new projects in both the U.S. and developing countries to destroy these chemicals and significantly contribute to the protection of the ozone layer and climate system. Read more... 8 February 2010
	2010: The Reality of CFC-free world - As the first day of 2010 dawns, the world is waking up to a new reality, one springing from an unparalleled confidence in human ingenuity and a collective belief that "we can". This date is a defining moment in the history of multilateral environmental agreements and a beacon of hope that success on seemingly insurmountable and challenging global environmental problems is achievable. This hope is echoed all over the world by the ministers, key officials, industries, academia and civil society. Listen to these echoes, their resounding messages and images. 4 January 2010