World Ozone Day 2020

POST – 21

Today is World Ozone Day 2020 and “Ozone for life” is the slogan of this year. As we celebrate 35 years of global ozone layer protection as you all know Ozone is crucial for our life on Earth and we must continue to protect the ozone layer for our future generations also. But how we as individual can contribute towards that or is it just a policy matter and let policy makers take care of Ozone layer protection (like India is party to the Kigali Amendment -2016 and is in Group 2 of Article 5 countries) so phase out of HFC is in their hands. Please understand the market forces which we as individuals are and unless we as individual are not conscious or concerned for climate change and effect of ODS ( ozone depleting substances ), policy makers could slip the future projections based on which they are committing phase our of HFC use by 2028 for India .

Many of us use AC and refrigerator with refrigerants (gases) which are with Zero ODP( Ozone Depletion Potential) so lets continue that but do check when you buy such systems for the refrigerant . However, another aspect of these refrigerants is GWP ( Global Warming Potential) which for all HFCs is high ( though we call it Green Gas) and hence India Cooling Action Plan launched in 2019 by MoEF, Govt.of India is giving emphasis on holistic approach for refrigerant transition by using natural refrigerants like Propane. Though Propane has zero ODP and low GWP but has higher flammability.

Though, India has only 7-8 % of AC penetration but if we see increase in global energy demand then India is responsible for almost 10%. So, if 2028 is HFC phase out and India’s cooling demand increases multi-fold with rise in ambient temp. we are seeing all across then innovation and better solutions for refrigerants is the need of the hour . Therefore, our leadership role as environmentally responsible nation is very crucial. I hope in few words above I am able to convey the purpose of today’s celebration and greater role we must play to continue to protect ozone layer.

Pankaj Gupta, M-Tech. (IIT-Delhi)

CEO

Zero Square Energy Solutions Pvt. Ltd.