Earth's protective ozone layer is on track to recover within four decades as it is slowly but noticeably healing, a UN-backed panel of experts said Monday. In a report published every four years on the progress of the Montreal Protocol, the panel confirmed the phase-out of nearly 99 percent of banned ozone-depleting substances. The Montreal Protocol was signed in September 1987 and is a landmark multilateral environmental agreement that regulates the consumption and production of nearly 100 man-made chemicals or ozone-depleting substances (ODS). The overall phase-down has led to the notable recovery of the protective ozone layer in the upper stratosphere and decreased human exposure to harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun. "The impact the Montreal Protocol has had on climate change mitigation cannot be overstressed," Meg Seki, executive secretary of the UN Environment Programme's Ozone Secretariat, said. "Over the last 35 years, the Protocol has become a true champion for the environment. The assessments and reviews undertaken by the Scientific Assessment Panel remain a vital component of the work of the Protocol that helps inform policy and decision-makers." The discovery of a hole in the Ozone Layer was first announced by three scientists from the British Antarctic Survey, in May 1985. According to the Panel's report, if current policies remain in place, the layer is expected to recover to 1980 values by 2040. Over the Antarctic, this recovery is expected by around 2066 and by 2045 over the Arctic. Variations in the size of the Antarctic ozone hole, particularly between 2019 and 2021, were driven largely by meteorological conditions. Nevertheless, the Antarctic ozone breach has been slowly improving in area and depth, since the year 2000. Read more: ‘Largest-ever ozone hole’ over Arctic closes The Montreal Protocol has already benefitted efforts to mitigate climate change, helping avoid global warming by an estimated 0.5-degree Celcius, the report said. In 2016 an additional agreement to the Montreal Protocol, known as the Kigali Amendment required a phase-down of the production and consumption of some hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs). HFCs do not directly deplete ozone but are powerful gases which contribute to global warming and accelerated climate change. The panel said that it is estimated the amendment will avoid 0.3 to 0.5 degrees Celsius of additional warming by 2100. "Ozone action sets a precedent for climate action. Our success in phasing out ozone-eating chemicals shows us what can and must be done – as a matter of urgency – to transition away from fossil fuels, reduce greenhouse gases and so limit temperature increase," World Meteorological Organization Secretary-General Petteri Taalas said in a statement. The panel cautioned against the use of a potential method to reduce climate warming by increasing sunlight reflection. For the first time, they examined the potential effects on the ozone arising from the intentional addition of aerosols into the stratosphere, known as a stratospheric aerosol injection (SAI). They said an unintended consequence of SAI was that it could also affect stratospheric temperatures, circulation and ozone production and destruction rates and transport. Read more: Govt committed to protect ozone layer: Environment Minister

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.

Though Bangladesh is one of the worst victims of climate change with almost no contribution to the cause, experts have bemoaned that the wealthier nations--who have historically contributed the most to the depletion of the ozone layer--are doing very little to help the country overcome this problem. They said Bangladesh should boost its climate diplomacy to make tackling climate change an important issue of bilateral discussions with developed countries and thus encourage them to fulfill their pledges made in the Paris Agreement. “Bangladesh is one of the worst victims of extreme weather caused by climate change for a long time. Climate change is a global issue that needs a global solution through collective efforts,” Dr Ainun Nishat, a noted climate expert, told UNB. Also read: Small solutions, big impacts: How five community-based projects tackling climate He said they have long been highlighting the issue of climate finance for reducing the climate change impacts, but only pledges have been made so far instead of allocating sufficient funds globally.  “Bangladesh and other vulnerable countries should play an active role in different forums and international conferences on climate change in encouraging the developed countries to deliver on their commitments to support the badly affected countries to face the devastating impacts like flash floods, droughts, heat waves, storms, cyclones, and rising sea levels,” the expert said. “Our country has been experiencing frequent natural disasters like floods, cyclones, increasing incidents of lightning strikes and landslides triggered by global warming, causing huge losses to human lives and natural resources,” Dr Nishat observed. Bangladesh was the seventh most-affected country in the world by “extreme weather events” over the 20 years, according to a report by Global Climate Risk Index 2019. Renowned environmental expert Dr Atiq Rahman, who was recognised by the UN as one of the Champions of the Earth in 2008, Bangladesh is not only facing the loss of lives and resources due to the adverse impacts of the climate change, but also facing a threat to food security due to an abnormal shift in its traditional six seasons. Also read: Dhaka calls for more IOM role in helping climate migrants He said farmers in Bangladesh are going through serious difficulties with the cultivation of various crops due to changes in temperature, wind-flow and rainfall patterns. “For an example, farmers face problems in the process of ‘retting’ the jute plants for lack of rainwater. At the same time, the farmers cannot plant their paddy timely during the monsoon period for lack of adequate rainfall.” Besides Dr Rahman, executive director of the Bangladesh Centre for Advanced Studies, said winter in Bangladesh is getting less biting, but foggier, hampering the crop production. Dr Ainun Nishat also the impacts of climate change will continue to affect the country‘s agriculture sector in many ways. “The agricultural calendar that has long been followed by the farmers of the country is changing erratically due to rise in temperature and variations in wind-flow and rainfall patterns which is eventually harming the food chain. Besides, he said crop production is also being hampered due to flash floods and droughts caused by growing temperature. Citing different local and international studies, the expert said around 30 million people are “predicted to be at risk” of sea-level rise in Bangladesh by 2050 while the annual rise in sea level in the country ranges between 6mm and 20mm. He said the rise in sea level is contributing to increasing salinity and climate-induced migration in the coastal areas. “People in some coastal districts are being forced to migrate to different districts due to an increase in salinity. According to a World Bank study, climate change will cause significant changes in river salinity in the southwest coastal region during the dry season (October to May) by 2050, and will likely lead to shortages of drinking and irrigation water and cause changes in aquatic ecosystems. Under the circumstances, Both Dr Nishat and Dr Rahman said Bangladesh should focus on climate diplomacy to mount pressure on the industrialised countries to compensate for the losses and damages the country is facing due to climate change and ensure sufficient financing for adaptation and resilience building.

Walton is ahead of other private sector players in protecting the environment, speakers said this at a seminar in the capital Saturday.  The Department of Environment and Walton Hi-Tech Industries Limited jointly organised the seminar to mark the "World Ozone Day," celebrated internationally on September 16 every year to raise awareness against ozone layer depletion and global warming. This year's theme for the international day was "Montreal Protocol – keeping us, our food, and vaccines cool." Read Walton Digital Campaign Season 14: Two more customers get Tk20 lakh rewards Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Md Shahab Uddin attended the seminar as chief guest and Walton Hi-Tech Industries Chairman SM Nurul Alam Rezvi and Vice-Chairman SM Shamsul Alam as special guests.  Speakers at the event said the ozone layer is a blessing for the world and animals. It is the filter of the earth. But the use of harmful chemicals and gases has been depleting the layer. The Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer was signed in 1987. Bangladesh is one of the signatories to the protocol. Read EPB assures Walton of support to boost electronics, electrical products exports Under the protocol, the country is working on controlling the use of about 100 ozone-depleting substances. Speaking as the chief guest, Shahab Uddin appreciated the various initiatives taken by Walton to protect the ozone layer. Deputy Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Begum Habibun Nahar said, "Walton is ahead of others in protecting the ozone layer and the environment." Read Walton brings Arc CPU liquid coolers Walton Hi-Tech Industries Chairman SM Nurul Alam Rezvi urged the government to make the star rating system mandatory for all locally produced as well as imported air conditioners to ensure an environment-friendly atmosphere through the use of energy-efficient products, according to a media statement.