(a) whether the increased use of refrigerators and AC machines is harming the Ozone Layer; and
(b) if so, the steps taken by the Government to save the Ozone Layer ?
(a) whether the increased use of refrigerators and AC machines is harming the Ozone Layer; and
(b) if so, the steps taken by the Government to save the Ozone Layer ?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT AND
FORESTS (SHRI NAMO NARAIN MEENA)
(a) & (b) Yes, Sir. India became a Party to the Vienna Convention for the Protection
of the ozone layer and the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer.
The Country Programme was prepared in 1993 to phase out the Ozone Depleting Substances
(ODS) and taken the following measures:-
# The Ozone Depleting Substances (Regulation and Control)Rules, 2000 under
Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 have been notified on 19.7.2000.
# Fiscal incentives extended by way of exemption from payment of Customs and
Excise duties for goods required for non-ODS technology.
# Awareness Campaigns have been carried out.
# The use of Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) in Refrigerators and Mobile Air-Conditioners
which damage the ozone layer has been phased out from 1.1.2003. In Air-conditioners,
Hydrochlorofluorocarbon (HCFC) is used, which has the low Ozone Depleting Potential
and it will be phased out by 1.1.2040 as per the Montreal Protocol.