Jayanthi Natarajan Asks People to Be Alert and Determined to Protect Earth

India has successfully phased-out completely the production and consumption of CFCs, CTC and halons, Union Minister of State for Environment and Forests Jayanthi Natarajan has said. Speaking as the chief guest at International Ozone Day celebrations here, Natarajan said: "India also proactively ceased the production and consumption of CFCs from August 1, 2008, 17 months ahead of schedule of the Montreal Protocol. This has become possible with the help and active cooperation of our industries."

"Recognizing the success of the Montreal Protocol in phasing out the ODSs like CTC, CFC and halons, the 19th Meeting of the Parties (MOP) held in September, 2007 had taken a decision to advance the phase-out of HCFCs by 10 years," he added.

The baseline for production and consumption of HCFCs will be determined on the average of the years 2009 and 2010 for production and consumption respectively.

The freeze will be from 2013 and 10 percent reduction from the baseline in 2015 for stage-I reduction as per the accelerated phase-out schedule.

Referring to climate change and pollution control, Natarajan said that one of the important principles enshrined in the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change is the principle of common, but differentiated responsibility.

"A concrete manifestation of this principle is the Kyoto Protocol," Natarajan said.

She further appealed students to act in a small but effective way to control pollution.

She appreciated student's decision to keep away from fire works to reduce air and noise pollution during Diwali festival. The Minister told them to be alert and determined and take up responsibility to reduce carbon footprints.

Source-ANI