A symposium on the enhancement of local capacity in implementing the International Convention on the Protection of Ozone Layer was held in Shanghai. Vice Minister Zhang Lijun of Ministry of Environmental Protection (MEP) addressed the meeting.

Vice Minister Zhang pointed out that during the implementation of the Convention over the past years, local environmental protection developments at all levels have undertaken lots of work in the protection of ozone layer and played an active role with important contributions. However, the development on the whole is not in balance. Some local governments have poor understanding about this work with low attention, no detailed measures and poor outcome.

Vice Minister Zhang Lijun presented 5 requirements for current work on the implementation of the Convention. First, we should practically mainstream the protection of ozone layer into local environmental protection, strengthen organization and coordination and carry out responsibilities. Local authorities could follow national practice and introduce the experience of the demonstration province and cities, set up local leading and coordination institute for the protection of ozone layer and practically strengthen the united leadership on the protection of ozone layer. At the same time, environmental protection developments at all levels must bring their organization and coordination role into full play and actively facilitate local governments and other developments taking part in the implementation of the Convention. Second, we should carry out baseline investigations on key industries, regions, markets and enterprises that consumes ODS in an all round way and develop working program. Third, we should continuously strengthen the supervision, law enforcement inspection and cracking down on illegal activities. Fourth, we should intensify publicity, training and raise public awareness. Fifth, we should combine existing environmental management system to set up long-term mechanism for the implementation of the Convention in order to continually create new situation for the protection of ozone layer.

At the meeting, people in charge of the work from each province of China introduced the development and plan of local work on the protection of ozone layer and exchanged their experience in how to bring the role of local environmental protection developments into play and put forward comments & suggestions.

It is reported that up to the end of 2007, China had ceased the production and consumption of HFC and halon except for necessary use. The production and consumption of other ODS substances such as methyl chloroform, carbon tetrachloride and methyl bromide have reduced by over 85% compared with the baseline level.