"Ozone Layer protection: Governance and Compliance at their Best" is the theme for International Ozone Day, which will be observed on Thursday, September 16.
As part of its public awareness drive, the Ministry of the Environment, Water Resources and Drainage, through the National Ozone Unit (NOU), will be hosting a public awareness and media presentation on "Planning for the Ozone Depleting Substances (ODS)". It will be held at the Amaryllis Beach Resort on Wednesday, September 15, beginning at 9:30 a.m.
The session, which is expected to attract some 80 participants, is aimed at informing importers and traders in the refrigeration and air conditioning sector about the requirements under the Amended Customs (List of Prohibited and Restricted Imports and Exports) Order 2009, and gives effect to the National ODS Import/ Export Licensing System.
Minister of the Environment, Dr. Denis Lowe, will deliver the feature address to officially open the workshop. This will be followed by presentations on various aspects of the relevant legislation.
The first presentation will be on the topic: "The ????Montreal Protocol – What is it and what are Barbados’ obligations". It will be delivered by Project Manager, Rickardo Ward, and Assistant National Ozone Officer, Shontelle Wellington.
??"National Import/Export licensing System – scope and procedures"?? is the topic of the second presentation , which will be delivered by a representative of the Department of Commerce; while Mr. Ward will deliver a second presentation on the topic: "From Quotas to Phase-out of ODS Trade and Use".
A question and answer session as well as an Ozzy Ozone Video will also be part of the programme.
To further mark the Day, brochures will be produced and disseminated to all traders, the refrigeration and air conditioning sector and the public, informing them about the National ODS Import/Export Licensing System. Presentations will also be made to environmental clubs of primary schools during the week of September 13 – 17.
Barbados has been a party to the Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer and the Montreal Protocol since October 1992. Since then, the Ministry of the Environment, through the NOU, has had an active Ozone Programme supported by a multi-stakeholder National Ozone Steering Committee.
Building on past achievements, Barbados continues to maintain compliance with the Protocol. cgaskin@barbados.gov.bb