DHAKA, Sept 19, 2022 (BSS) - Environment, Forest and Climate Change Md Shahab Uddin today said the government is working to protect ozone layer aiming to save the earth planet from impacts of harmful ultraviolet rays. 

"All the programmes and projects, adopted under the Montreal Protocol for ozone layer protection, are being approved and implemented on time by the government with special importance," he told a discussion here.

The Department of Environment (DoE) arranged the meeting at its office on the occasion of World Ozone Day 2022.

Speaking as the chief guest, Shahab Uddin said a national cooling plan is being formulated with guidelines to curb the use of HCFCs in Bangladesh. 

Bangladesh will start working on the implementation plan of the Kigali Amendment very soon, he added.

The environment minister said currently, under the Montreal Protocol, the phase out of Hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) used in air conditioning, fire fighting and thermal foam sectors is underway. 

"We are implementing HCFC Phase Out Management Plan II in Elaksha. Alternative technologies would be climate friendly," he said. 

By implementing this, he said, Bangladesh will be able to cut HCFC consumption by 67.50 percent by 2025. 

"As a result, Bangladesh will enter a new era in the field of air cooler production. The door of export of manufactured products will be opened abroad," Shahab Uddin said. 

He said keeping this in mind the government is providing special facilities for the manufacturers of refrigerators and air-conditioning products in payment of tax and VAT. 

Special attention should be given to the converted ACs so that those become energy efficient, the minister said, adding that it will meet the domestic demand as well as increase the export opportunities.

Chaired by DoE Director General Dr Abdul Hamid, the meeting was addressed, among others, by Deputy Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Habibun Nahar, Environment, Forest and Climate Change Secretary Dr Farhina Ahmed, Additional Secretary Md Moniruzzaman, Resident Representative of UNDP Stefan Liller and Project Director of ODS Project Md Ziaul Haque.

Representatives of government agencies and private organisations were present.

The minister distributed prizes among the winners of the Asia Pacific Regional Ozone2Climate Art Contest at the event.