Making waves: how a united front against ozone depletion and climate change is turning the tides in the Pacific Islands
In the vast expanse of the Pacific Ocean, twelve Pacific Island Countries (PICs) have joined forces to overcome the dual threat of ozone layer depletion and the ever-intensifying effects of climate change. From their initial struggles to the commendable strides made under the Montreal Protocol with support from the Multilateral Fund, their shared journey offers a ray of hope and a model for combating environmental challenges worldwide.
The unique plight of pacific island nations
Characterized by their small size, low-lying nature, and geographical remoteness, PICs are uniquely vulnerable to the effects of climate change. Rising sea levels, ocean acidification, increased storm intensity, erosion, and flooding lead to stressed water systems, diminished fish stocks, and the loss of coral reefs and biodiversity, threatening their very existence. Largely dependent on the fishing and tourism industries that rely on ozone-depleting and climate-damaging refrigerants, these existential threats drastically undermine PICs’ local economies and individual livelihoods.
A regional approach to the Montreal Protocol
In addition to shared environmental challenges, Pacific Island nations have faced shortages of resources, capacity, and technical expertise to meet the requirements set out by the Montreal Protocol. The Multilateral Fund, which has played a pivotal role in supporting developing countries in the phase-out of out of ozone-depleting substances (ODS) and hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), recognized the unique and collective circumstances of the PICs. It helped create a regional approach to implement their commitments to the Montreal Protocol beginning with CFCs, then HCFCs, and today, HFCs.
Under this approach, each PIC conducts its own data collection, organises national consultations, identifies needs for the phase-out, and maps out an action plan. This contributes to collaborative planning and a shared regional strategy, facilitating complementary national solutions and cost-effective interventions, while ensuring the islands’ compliance with the Montreal Protocol control measures.
Tangible results and climate resilience
Led by the National Ozone Units (NOUs) funded by MLF, Pacific Island Countries have made important strides in phasing out ODS and HFCs under the Kigali Amendment. Capacity-building initiatives, such as workshops for refrigeration and air conditioning technicians, have introduced servicing practices and eco-friendly technologies, while training courses for customs and enforcement officers have worked to prevent illegal trade in ODS.
The impact of these concerted efforts is tangible. Improved containment of refrigerants and the promotion of low-global warming potential (GWP) alternatives have led to a reduction in emissions harmful to both the ozone layer and the climate—for every kilogram of HCFC-22 not emitted, approximately 1.8 CO2-equivalent tonnes are prevented from reaching the atmosphere—showcasing the direct climate benefits of the PICs' initiatives.
A blueprint for global climate action
As worldwide efforts aim to mitigate climate change and protect the ozone, the Multilateral Fund’s support of the Pacific Islands under the Montreal Protocol clearly demonstrates how even the smallest nations can make a monumental impact. This collaboration effort acts as a powerful testament to what can be achieved when we unite for a common cause.