Regulate harmful gas

CONSERVATION and Environment Protection Authority (Cepa) is implementing an international agreement to reduce harmful gas emissions into the atmosphere to combat global warming.
The authority now has a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the PNG Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Association (RACA) to monitor and use gases that are not harmful to the ozone layer.
Cepa managing director Gunther Joku signed the MoU yesterday with Raca president Daniel Geoghegan during the World Environment Day celebration at the Adventure Park outside Port Moresby.
“The signing of this MoU with Cepa and the industry is a result of the convention that PNG had signed in the Montreal protocol to phase out ozone depleting substances and part of the Vienna Convention to protect the ozone layer,” he said.
“Work on this MoU started in 2016 but the actual work on the implementation started in 1993 and part of that effort led to the establishing of the Climate Change Development Authority.
“Work to implement these conventions led to Cepa establishing a strong partnership with the industry to involve to address the use of ozone depleting substances in the use of refrigeration appliances, air condition units, fire extinguishers and other equipment.
“It is to regulate the gas used in refrigeration and air condition units to the point where we have now said that the industry, the ownership needs to take the lead in making sure their operators operate in an environmentally friendly manner.”
The MoU recognises that operators and mechanics have to deal with Raca and get necessary training and licences so Cepa will recognise that they are fit to deals with gas.
Meanwhile, Geoghegan said Raca would start doing awareness and training for their stakeholders in Port Moresby before going to Lae and then the other centres.
Cepa and the United Nations Developing Programme also launched the small grant scheme.
The scheme set up to preserve Cepa’s efforts in conservation.
The small grants scheme, to be set up this year, will be managed by UNDP and assisted by Cepa.