Tackling
Illegal Trade in Ozone-depleting Substances and
Dangerous Waste
Bangkok/Beijing,1 September
2006- A project to curb illegal trade in ozone
depleting substances (ODS) and dangerous waste
in the Asia Pacific region went into operation
today. “Project Sky Hole Patching” is designed
to monitor the movement of suspicious shipments
of ozone depleting chemicals and dangerous commodities
across several customs territories in the region.
It involves customs administrations and environment
authorities, the World Customs Organisation’s
Regional Intelligence Liaison Office for Asia
and the Pacific (RILO A/P), United Nations Environment
Programme Regional Office for Asia and Pacific
(UNEP ROAP), the Compliance Assistance Programme
(CAP) of UNEP’s Division of Technology, Industry
and Economics, Basel Convention Regional Centers
and other key international organizations.
“It is encouraging that customs
administrations in the region are prioritizing
environmental issues in their agenda. This project
will undoubtedly curb smuggling of environmentally
sensitive commodities and also facilitate the
cooperation between customs authorities and environmental
agencies,” said Dr. Sathit Limpongpan, Director
General of the Department of Thai Customs. “It
is obvious that Customs is a forefront agency
and key stakeholder in fighting against the illegal
trade of ozone depleting substances.”
While global efforts under the
Montreal Protocol have reduced the production
and consumption of ODS by 90%, the ozone layer
remains fragile and under threat. The ozone hole
that formed in the southern hemisphere in 2005
was the third largest ozone hole ever recorded,
peaking at a maximum area of 25 million square
kilometers. A recent report released by UNEP and
the World Meteorological Organization indicates
that ozone layer recovery will be delayed by 5-15
years, depending on latitude. By fully meeting
their commitments to phase out ODS – including
control of cross border trade in these chemicals
– Governments can help avoid further delays in
this healing process, the report said?
The approaching deadlines to
phase-out ODS and dwindling legal supplies are
leading to rise in ODS prices, creating lucrative
business opportunities for illegal operators.
While it is very difficult to give an accurate
estimate of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) smuggled
in developing countries, there are indications
of high incidence of illegal trade. Illegal ODS
has been seized in China, India, Philippines,
Indonesia, Thailand and other countries in the
region. For example, in 2005, 88,291 kgs, of ozone-depleting
substances were seized in Thailand, up 6,997 kgs
from 2004.
“Illegal ODS trade, if left
unchecked, could undermine global efforts to phase
out these chemicals. The coming years will thus
be important as developing countries phase-out
their consumption of major ODS to achieve compliance
with the Montreal Protocol,” said Surendra Shrestha,
UNEP Regional Director and Representative for
Asia and the Pacific.
Moreover, it is estimated that
some 300–500 million tons of hazardous waste are
produced annually. As regulations governing the
safe and proper disposal of hazardous waste tighten,
increasing handling charges and decreasing safe
disposal capacity, much of the waste is suspected
to be dumped illegally.
During the 11th World Customs
Organization Asia Pacific Regional Conference
of Heads of Customs Administrations held in Beijing
on 3-6 April 2006, the meeting unanimously agreed
to initiate "Project Sky-Hole-Patching".
A proposed plan of action of the project was adopted
during the 4th Joint Southeast Asia and Pacific/South
Asia Customs-ODS Officers Cooperation Workshop
held in Bangkok on May 17-20 2006.
The operation will be conducted
in two phases with the first six-month phase focussing
on ODS. The second phase will include hazardous
waste. RILO A/P and UNEP ROAP CAP will facilitate
the operation for the region in consultation with
involved regional and international institutions
dealing with ODS and dangerous waste.
For more information, please
contact:
Ms. Satwant Kaur, UNEP Regional
Information Officer, Tel: + (66 2) 288 2127; E-mail:
kaur@un.org
Mr. Atul Bagai, Regional Network
Coordinator, South Asia, UNEP CAP, ROAP, Tel:
662 288 1662, Email: bagai@un.org
UNEP Division of Technology,
Industry and Economics’ OzonAction Programme:
http://www.unep.fr/ozonaction/
Green Customs Initiative:
http://www.greencustoms.org
