“We should reduce and eliminate ozone-depleting substances. Thus, there should be no more AC refrigerants that use ozone-depleting substances,” the ministry’s Director of Climate Change Mitigation Yulia Suryati said at the commemoration of World Ozone Day here on Sunday.
The ozone layer is located at the height of 20-35 km above the earth’s surface which can absorb potentially harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation.
Protection from the ozone layer can reduce the impact of UV B rays on the health of humans as well as other living things and the environment.
The Indonesian government has ratified the Kigali Amendment which is aimed at protecting the ozone layer.
Presidential Regulation Number 129 of 2022 on the Ratification of the Amendment to the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer, Kigali, 2016, has been implemented.
It includes regulations on the use of climate-friendly refrigerants and energy savings to protect the ozone layer.
Suryati stated that HFC can accelerate the occurrence of climate change, thus, the use of the man-made organic compounds that are commonly used in air conditioners must be stopped.
"We are starting to link ozone layer protection with climate change because of the Kigali Amendment that regulates the consumption or regulates the use of HFC, especially that has the potential of (causing) global warming," she remarked.
Starting from January 1, 2024, the government will limit the use of HFC to help curb global warming and protect the ozone layer.
Environment and Forestry Minister's expert staff for industry and international trade Novia Widyaningtyas stated that the protection of the ozone layer is in line with efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
She noted that air conditioning technicians play an important role in ensuring that there is no refrigerant leak in air conditioners.
Widyaningtyas asked the community to use air conditioners and refrigerators wisely because the gas from them can affect the condition of the ozone layer.
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Translator: Sugiharto Purnama, Raka Adji
Editor: Sri Haryati
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