Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Md Shahab Uddin on Monday said the government is committed to protecting the ozone layer that saves the people from the harmful ultraviolet rays of the sun.

“A national cooling plan with guidelines to curb the use of hydro chlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) is being formulated in Bangladesh,” he said.

The Environment Minister was addressing a discussion arranged at the Department of Environment here in the city on the occasion of the International Ozone Day 2022.

Read: National Adaptation Plan to make Bangladesh climate-resilient: Speakers

This year, the International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer, 2022 was observed on September 16 last under the theme of ' the theme "Montreal Protocol@35" and the worldwide collaboration safeguarding life on earth.

Shahab Uddin said the government is implementing all the programs and projects taken to protect the Ozone layer in line with the Montreal Protocol in time with special importance.

He said the works are now underway to phase out hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) used in air conditioning, firefighting and thermal foam sectors.

Bangladesh is implementing the HCFC Phase-Out Management Plan-II to promote alternative technology that is friendly to ozone layer and climate, he said.

“With the implementation of the plan, Bangladesh will be able to reduce the consumption of HCFCs by 67.50 percent by 2025,” the minister added.

Deputy Minister for environment Habibun Nahar, environment secretary Dr Farhina Ahmed and Resident Representative of UNDP Bangladesh Stefan Liller spoke at the discussion presided over by Director General of the Department of Environment Dr Abdul Hamid, said a PID handout.