Second stage of Hydro-chlorofluorocarbon Phase-out Management Plan underway with UNDP assistance

Sri Lanka is currently implementing the second stage of the Hydro-chlorofluorocarbon Phase-out Management Plan (HPMP) for the gradual phase-out of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) in the RAC sector after having successfully phased out chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) in the refrigeration and air conditioning (RAC) sector.

To ensure compliance with the Montreal Protocol, Sri Lanka has established a licensing and quota system for HCFC imports and exports. Since becoming a signatory to the Montreal Protocol in December 1989, Sri Lanka has thus far sought to implement all national obligations. In 2018, Sri Lanka ratified the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol on substances that deplete the ozone layer, including the phase-down of the production and consumption of HFCs. 

During HPMP Stage II, short, medium and long-term strategies will be developed to continue the HCFC phase-out effort and to facilitate the safe introduction of new alternatives to sustain the HCFC phase-out, in light of the overarching strategy.

“Sri Lanka is progressing in its second stage of phasing out HFCs and hopes to fully phase out the use of HFCs by 2030. The government encourages the adaptation of new alternative technologies in view of the HFC phase-down plan, which will also contribute towards achieving energy efficiency,” said Environment Ministry Additional Secretary Natural Resources W.D.S.C. Weliwatta.

The HFC phase-down strategy especially focuses on energy efficiency and has programmes designed to train technicians, enhance training facilities at training centres and provide essential tools towards phasing out the use of HFCs.

Sri Lanka, with the assistance from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), secured finances from the Multilateral Fund to develop the HFC phase-down plan for the country. 

As part of developing the HFC phase-down management plan of the Kigali Implementation Plan (KIP), the National Ozone Unit of the Environment Ministry is in the process of collecting the baseline information on HFC usage in the country, with the support of the UNDP and Industrial Services Bureau - Northwestern Province.

UNDP Sri Lanka Programme Quality and Design Analyst Sureka Perera pointed out that replicating the urgency of phasing-down and phasing-down ozone depleting substances (ODCs) in the real world is easier said than done. However, as seen both globally and locally, with the right technology and ambitious partners, reducing ODSs and limiting the potential for greenhouse gases to enter the atmosphere has been demonstrated to be a possibility.  

“The UNDP’s support includes technical assistance, formulation and implementation of country and sector strategies, capacity building, accessing funding from different sources and forging important partnerships,” she said.