Value Addition by Regional Networks That Ensured the Success of the Montreal Protocol

ANNEX 4

Value addition by Regional Networks that ensured the success of the Montreal Protocol

A number of key factors transformed the efforts of the international community into the success of the Montreal Protocol. The contribution by the Regional Networks stand out, as it succeeded in creating ownership and a sense of belonging to the Montreal Protocol in the Parties.

National Ozone Units (NOUs) are the "change" agents in a country for phase-out of ODSs. The OzonAction Programme developed a dissemination strategy to channel the delivery of information and training through NOUs. This resulted in:

- Local involvement - Building of the capacity within the governments to understand and deal with the ODS issue - Developing linkages within the country between industry and government - Various government departments within the country had a central point of contact

Strong messages on the economic advantages of alternative technologies that were appraised by Technology and Economic Assessment Panel (TEAP) were disseminated, and first hand experiences were shared through networks. Such opportunities were in fact exploited by the industries; for example, to develop energy-efficient refrigeration systems that were ODS-free and to deploy alternatives to ODS solvents in the aviation and electronic industries in Southeast Asia.

In a number of cases, governments have provided incentives to develop energy-efficient technologies. Such policy instruments have triggered similar activities in the developing countries.

Industry partnerships and business cooperation between developed and developing countries were promoted through the Regional Networks.

Industry alliances like the Alliance for Responsible Atmospheric Policy (ARAP) and non- governmental organizations (NGOs) like Greenpeace have been taking proactive steps to develop better alternatives— for example, in domestic refrigerators.

Technology cooperation along with technology transfer was the outcome of the regional networking process.

Alternative chemicals, which were less costly, were used in place of CFCs in aerosols. In some cases, the use of chemicals was done away with altogether by changing the process in the production line, e.g. in no-clean technology.

Policy-setting and investment projects were promoted side-by-side as a result of networking.

Investment projects by themselves did not help in deploying alternative technology. It has been the experience that having the right policy instruments to support investment activities facilitated early phase-out. The Ghana case study, for example, demonstrates an 85% reduction in ozone-depleting substances even before the Montreal Protocol’s target date. Networking with the country and assisting them in developing the right policy instruments through regional information sharing along with the appropriate training can provide desired results.

The Regional Network of National Ozone Units also promoted mutually supported policy-setting in the regions so that there were no conflicting and counter-productive ODS trade-related regulations or illegal trade. Effective licensing of ODSs and ODS- using equipment by the countries were the most important policies that the UNEP Networks succeeded in enacting through regional cooperation.