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Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Forestry on Monday marked this year’s World Ozone Day celebrations with the government promising to introduce measures to phase out ozone-depleting substances.

The annual event themed ‘Montreal Protocol Advancing Climate Action’ captures the broader environmental impact of the historic agreement, signed over 35 years ago and has been instrumental in protecting the ozone layer by phasing out the production and use of ozone-depleting substances.

Special significance

Speaking at the event, the Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Climate Change and Forestry Aden Duale observed that the global celebration of the World Ozone Day holds a special significance that reflects remarkable achievements of the Montreal Protocol and its continued relevance in advancing climate action.

“What began as an urgent response to a specific environmental crisis has evolved into one of the most effective multilateral agreements in history, benefiting both the ozone layer and the global climate,” he recalled.

In a speech read on his behalf by the Principal Secretary for Environment, Climate Change and Forestry Dr Festus Ng’eno, Duale insisted that the gathering is not only to celebrate the restoration of the ozone layer but also to recognize how the protocol has become a powerful tool for combating climate change.

“By targeting substances like chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), which are also potent greenhouse gases, the Montreal Protocol has directly contributed to reducing global warming,” stressed Duale.

He noted that Kenya has taken great pride in being a committed partner in the implementation of the Montreal Protocol and has made significant strides in phasing out ozone-depleting substances and is also working diligently to meet its obligations under the Kigali Amendment, which calls for the phasedown of HFCs.

Celebrate progress

Further, the CS maintained that while the country celebrates the progress made, it must also acknowledge that much needs to be done, adding that the impacts of climate change are already being felt, particularly in Africa, where extreme weather events, droughts, and floods are threatening livelihoods and food security.