The UAE has been making strong progress to reduce Ozone depleting substances such as Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), Methyl bromide, Hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs), Hydrobromofluorocarbons (HBFCs).

These substances have been the major source of depletion of ozone shield in the atmosphere, said Environment Agency-Abu Dhabi (EAD) in a statement on the International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer which is being observed today.

UAE has so far phased out more than 85 per cent of CFC and by the end of this year it is hoped they will be completely phased out. HCFC ( Hydro chloro fluro carbons) and HFC (Hydro Fluro carbon) - which are less ozone depleting and currently used as substitutes for CFC - will also be phased out in the UAE in 2015 and 2040 respectively as these two also have a significant global warming potential.

On the occasion of the International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer on September 16, 2010, the Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi (EAD) is calling on the community to support the UAE Government’s efforts to protect our Ozone Layer by reducing their reliance on ozone-depleting products and switching to ozone-friendly products instead.

Majid Al Mansouri, EAD’s Secretary General said: "Efforts by the world community to protect the ozone layer are a good example of how humanity can act as one to face a common danger.

"Even though UAE was never a producer of CFC, it was one of the first countries to be a signatory to the Montreal Protocol, a treaty to phase out use of CFC and ozone-depleting substances. Back in 1999, the UAE issued Federal Law No. 13 for 1999 which controlled the import of ozone-depleting substances. It also issued Ministerial Decree No. 16 for 2003 which established fees on the licenses issued to import ozone-depleting substances," he added.
 

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