30th anniversary of the Montreal Protocol - The United Nations Environment Programme recognizes Québec's leadership in protecting the ozone layer

MONTRÉAL, Nov. 24, 2017 /CNW Telbec/ - The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) awarded Québec the Political Leadership Award at the Ozone Awards ceremony held yesterday in conjunction with the 11th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer and the 29th meeting of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer.

Québec received the honour in recognition of its efforts to ban ozone-depleting substances (ODS). It is worth noting that Québec decided to link its approach to protect the ozone layer to its overall strategy to combat climate change. The reduction in the use of halocarbons is a specific measure in the 2013-2020 Action Plan on Climate Change. Moreover, under Québec's International Policy launched in April 2017, the government appointed an emissary responsible for climate change and northern and Arctic affairs to broaden our influence on the international scene and promote Québec's positions in this field.

What is more, by overseeing the installation of equipment that requires halocarbons, the Québec measures go beyond the tools that target the manufacture and importing of such equipment elsewhere in the world. It should be emphasized that Québec is also seeking to subject air conditioning and refrigeration equipment to extended producer responsibility (EPR), an initiative that should engender additional benefits by capturing greater amounts of ODS and halocarbons before they reach the atmosphere.

Quotes:

"Tackling climate change demands strong political leadership and the Québec government has repeatedly shown such leadership. Yesterday's award rounds out several other marks of recognition that it has received in this respect. I am proud of our numerous, varied achievements stemming from strong, significant political initiatives. Rest assured that we will work to further advance this cause. The future of our planet and our children is at stake."

Isabelle Melançon, Minister of Sustainable Development, the Environment and the Fight Against Climate Change

"Québec has once again shown that it is consolidating its leadership in the realm of climate diplomacy. It is important to focus on key challenges for the future of the planet, which reflects the Québec government's firm resolve to contribute, along with the international community, to conservation efforts, the search for sustainable solutions and the development of Québec expertise."

Christine St-Pierre, Minister of International Relations and La Francophonie

Highlights:

Depending on the type of ODS emitted, a tonne of ODS can be equivalent to 1 000 tonnes or more of CO₂. The powerful greenhouse gases also impede the regeneration of the ozone layer when they react with it as they rise in the stratosphere. Their alternatives, HFCs and PFCs, have no impact on the ozone layer. They are, nevertheless, GHG and some of them display very high global warming potential.

Adopted in 1987, the Montreal Protocol is the international agreement governing ozone-depleting substances and has been amended several times. Canada is a signatory to the protocol. Although it has not declared that it is officially bound by the agreement, it has assumed its responsibilities concerning this environmental problem since 1993.

The Ozone Awards recognize the outstanding commitment and contribution of individuals or organizations in carrying out and achieving the objectives of the Montreal Protocol. The recipients are chosen based on the recommendations of a technical selection committee that assembles international experts on the Montreal Protocol and an international jury comprising eminent leaders.

Related links:

To obtain additional information on the Ozone Secretariat, which is the Secretariat for the Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer and on the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer, please visit:
http://42functions.net/fr/about_the_secretariat.php.

For an overview of the Montreal Protocol: https://unep.ch/ozone/Publications/MP_Brief%20primer-F.pdf.

For information on regulations respecting halocarbons in the MDDELCC:
http://www.mddelcc.gouv.qc.ca/air/halocarbures/index.htm.  

Source:	Information:
Geneviève Benoit Press Officer Office of the Minister of Sustainable Development, the Environment and the Fight Against Climate Change Telephone: [phone]	Media relations Ministère du Développement durable, de l'Environnement et de la Lutte contre les changements climatiques Telephone: [phone]

SOURCE Cabinet de la ministre du Développement durable, de l'Environnement et de la Lutte contre les changements climatiques

Source: Geneviève Benoit, Press Officer, Office of the Minister of Sustainable Development, the Environment and the Fight Against Climate Change, Telephone: [phone]; Information: Media relations, Ministère du Développement durable, de l'Environnement et de la Lutte contre les changements climatiques, Telephone: [phone]