ID :
343919
Fri, 10/10/2014 - 05:38
Auther :

Malaysia Stopped Imports Of Ozone Depleting Substances Since 2010

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 10 (Bernama) -- Malaysia ceased import of ozone depleting substances such as chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), halon and carbon tetrachloride (CTC) as a measure to reduce the thinning of the ozone layer, the Dewan Rakyat (the Malaysian Lower House of Parliament) was told Thursday. Natural Resources and Environment Deputy Minister James Dawos Mamit said this was among the measures undertaken by the country as party to the Montreal Protocol to protect the ozone layer. He said since Jan 1, 2010, Malaysia succeeded in completely ceasing ozone depleting substances such as CFCs, halon and CTC. "As party to the Montreal Protocol, various programmes have been implemented to ensure our compliance with international obligations," he said when replying to a question by Dr Mujahid Yusof Rawa (PAS-Parit Buntar Member of Parliament). Dr Mujahid wanted to know the ministry's policies to reduce the impact of the green house effect as a result of the thinning of the ozone layer. James said Malaysia was currently in the process of expediting the destruction of hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs), in line with the decision of the 19th Meeting of Parties to the Montreal Protocol on Ozone Layer, from 2040 for developing countries to 2030. "The destruction of HCFCs is being carried out in stages since 2013 by freezing all imports of HCFCs at baseline level, calculated from the average consumption in 2009 and 2010," he added. He said there would be a 10 per cent reduction of HCFCs from the baseline total by next year; 67.5 per cent in 2025; and, 97.5 per cent in 2030. Meanwhile, he said the import of HCFCs was only permitted to 2.5 per cent for the service sector until 2040. --BERNAMA

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