Bangladesh renews pledge to safeguard ozone layer

Bangladesh has reaffirmed its commitment to protecting the ozone layer by advancing the phase-down of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) under the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol.

This pledge was highlighted during a national consultation workshop held on 7 August at the Department of Environment, co-organised by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), under the Renewal of Institutional Strengthening for Phase-out of ODS (Phase-X) project, supported by the Multilateral Fund.

Held under the theme "Advancing the Montreal Protocol in Bangladesh: Fostering Stakeholder Collaboration," the workshop brought together policymakers, technical experts, industry leaders, and development partners to address challenges and explore opportunities related to the HFC phase-down, critical given the gases' high global warming potential.

Bangladesh, a recognised leader in phasing out ozone-depleting substances (ODS) such as CFCs, halons, and methyl chloroform, ratified the Kigali Amendment in 2020. The country now aims to reduce HFC consumption by 85% by 2045.

Md Mahiuddin Manik, national project director of the IS Phase-X Project, delivered the keynote presentation, outlining progress, challenges, and a roadmap toward meeting the Kigali targets.

Speaking as special guest, Md Khayrul Hasan, additional secretary of MoEFCC, emphasised the need for collaboration: "Achieving the goals of the Kigali Amendment hinges on robust partnerships across government, academia, industry, and civil society. Through proactive collaboration and transparent communication, we can secure a sustainable environment for future generations."

Sonali Dayaratne, Resident Representative (a.i.) of UNDP Bangladesh, attended as the guest of honour. "UNDP is committed to supporting Bangladesh in meeting its Montreal Protocol and Kigali Amendment obligations, promoting private sector engagement, and scaling energy-efficient technologies in the cooling sector," she said.

Dr Md Kamruzzaman NDC, director general of the Department of Environment and chair of the workshop, stressed the urgency of collective action: "Implementing the Kigali Amendment demands coordinated efforts across all sectors. We must align with global protocols while addressing national priorities through improved oversight, awareness, and decisive action."

The event featured high-level discussions on sectoral readiness, technological innovations, public-private partnerships, and the development of bankable projects aligned with the Kigali Implementation Plan.

Bangladesh has made significant progress in technology transfer, private sector mobilisation, and institutional capacity-building, supported by UNDP through the Institutional Strengthening Projects, the Hydrochlorofluorocarbon Phase-out Management Plan (HPMP), and the Kigali Implementation Plan. UNDP reaffirmed its continued partnership with the National Ozone Unit in promoting sustainable, energy-efficient technologies for a climate-resilient future.