Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change celebrated the 29th World Ozone Day today. Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change Leena Nandan, Head of UNEP India office Atul Bagai, and Deputy Resident Representative of UNDP India office Isabelle Tschan were part of the celebrations.
 
This Day is celebrated on 16th of September each year to commemorate the signing of the Montreal Protocol, an international environmental treaty for phasing out of production and consumption of Ozone Depleting Substances that came into force on this day in 1987. The theme for World Ozone Day 2023 is ’Montreal Protocol: fixing the ozone layer and reducing climate change’. This day is celebrated every year to spread awareness among people about the depletion of Ozone Layer and the measures to be taken to preserve it.  
 
Secretary Ms. Nandan said that India is committed to balance both economy and ecology and as Vishvaguru, India will show the path to others too. She said, India is much ahead of its 2030 schedule and is setting the bar higher. Ms Nandan said, India is the 1st country in the world to come out with India cooling action plan which provides an integrated vision towards cooling across sectors encompassing areas such as reduction of cooling demand, refrigerant transition, enhancing energy efficiency, and better technology options by 2037-38 through forging synergies with ongoing programs and schemes of the Government. The plan aims to reduce cooling-related energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions while promoting sustainable and climate-friendly cooling technologies and practices.

She expressed confidence that the goal will be achieved. She said, India has best energy efficiency standards and it should share this expertise with the South-East Asian countries helping them will give a boost to India’s Air conditioner and cooling industry too.