Statement by Prof. Judi Wakhungu, Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Environment and Natural
STATEMENT BY PROF. JUDI WAKHUNGU, CABINET SECRETARY, MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES AT THE THIRD EXTRA-ORDINARY MEETING OF THE PARTIES (ExMOP3) TO THE MONTREAL PROTOCOL ON SUBSTANCES THAT DEPLETE THE OZONE LAYER, VIENNA, AUSTRIA
HIGH – LEVEL
22 – 23 JULY, 2016
Mr. President,
Your Excellencies,
Distinguished Delegates,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Mr. President, I would like to express on behalf of the Government of Kenya and my delegation appreciation to the Government of Austriafor hosting the Third Extra-OrdinaryMeeting of the Parties and for its warm hospitality to my delegation.
I would also like to congratulate and thank the Ozone Secretariat under the able leadership of Ms. Tina Birmpili, the Executive Secretary, for excellentorganization of this meeting.
Mr. President,
Kenya is aware that the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer has been recognized as the most successful international environmental Treaty considering that it has received universal ratification.
To this end, Kenya has made considerable progress in phasing out Ozone Depleting Substances (ODS) in most applications and adopting ozone friendly technologies. However, Kenya is aware that some of the technologies that have been adoptedsuch as Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), though ozone-friendly, are causing negative impacts to the climate.This of course will contribute to extra financial burden to developing countries when they are required to change to the new substitutes. In this case, I would like to urge Parties to ensure that alternatives are evaluated holistically to avoid a situation where the alternatives solve one environmental problem and contribute to other environmental, social and health problems.
Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen
High growth rates for HFCs will cause significant global warming. However, I am made to understand that a fast phasedown of HFCs under the Montreal Protocol can prevent billions of tonnes of CO2-equivalent emissions in the near-term.
Mr. President and Distinguished Delegates
Kenya believes that phasing down HFCs in the developed and developing countries is critical in saving the earth from adverse effects of climate change. Further,transitioning from HFCs can catalyze additional climate benefits through improvements in the energy efficiency of the refrigeration, air conditioning and other appliances not to forget the long term vision of stabilizing the earth temperature below the 20C targets.
Mr. President,
I have been informed that Parties established a Contact Group on the feasibility and ways of managing HFCs in Dubai during the Twenty Seventh Meeting of the Parties and hence Dubai Pathway on HFCs. This is encouraging as this Contact Group has come up with solutions to the identified challenges. This, I am sure will clear the way for Parties to negotiate for a clear phase-down of HFCs.
Distinguished Delegates,
Kenya has put in place strategies that would assist in addressing issues of HCFCs and HFCs. As part of strategies to phase out HCFCs and HFCs with high global warming potentials, the Ministry of Environment, and Natural Resources in collaboration with GIZ Proklimaof the German Government with funding the government of Francehas trained over 300 refrigeration air conditioning (RAC) technicians on safe use of hydrocarbons and other natural refrigerants as substitutes to HFCs.
Further, a good number of customs officers have been trained on control measures on imports and exports of ozone depleting substances (ODS) and their blends.The Customs Service of the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) and the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) have been provided with blend analyzers for identifying refrigerants at the ports of entry and exit. The blend analyzers continue to assist in monitoring illegal importation and exportation of ozone depleting refrigerants into the country.
In addition, Kenya has put in place ODS Regulations that assist in monitoring imports, exports and use of ODS in the country. This ensures that Kenya remains in compliance with the requirements of the Montreal Protocol.
It is worth mentioning here that Kenya is currently piloting on a Single Window Licensing System on trade of substances including controlled substances and ODS dependent equipment. This licensing system will ensure a common communication platform amongst key enforcement agencies, where trade in illegal substances will be easily identified and combated.
Mr. President, turning to the agriculture sector, the main contributor to our economy, I wish to mention that Kenya has phased out methyl bromide in soil fumigation and has adopted the use of phosphine in the post harvest sector, which is still being monitored for its efficacy.
Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen,
In line with Kenya’s vision for a low carbon, climate resilient development pathway, Kenya therefore supports efforts towards a fast phase-down of HFCs. However, the success of these efforts, especially for Kenya and other developing countries will be dependent on international support in form of financing, investment, appropriate technology availability and transfer, and capacity building. I am optimistic that such support will be in-built in any agreements that the Parties may reach under the on-going negotiations.
In conclusion,Mr. President, Distinguished Delegates, Ladies and Gentlemen, I wish to express our strong commitment and support to the successful implementation of the Montreal Protocol requirements. I am aware that discussions on the proposals on the Montreal Protocol amendment to phase down HFCs are progressing in the right direction. Kenya is of the view that discussion on the proposed amendments should be brought to conclusion sooner than later. I, therefore urge and encourage Parties to put in more efforts to achieve the objective of the HFCs phase-down.
Thank you and God bless!
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