The Lagos State Government has called for adoption of sustainable environmental practices and policies that prioritised the Ozone Layer protection.
The General Manager, Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA), Dr Babatunde Ajayi, made the call in his welcome address at the World Ozone Day celebration on Tuesday, September 17, 2024, in Lagos.
The global community set aside Sept. 16 every year to mark the International Day for Protection of the Ozone Layer.
The theme of the 2024 edition is “Montreal Protocol: Advancing Climate Action”.
“As responsible citizens, it is our duty to adopt sustainable practices, reduce the use of ozone-depleting substances, and support policies that prioritise ozone layer protection.
“We all need to be stewards of our planet, ensuring a secure future for generations to come,” Ajayi said.
The general manager said the theme of the celebration, “Montreal Protocol: Advancing Climate Action,” resonated deeply with our shared commitment to protecting the environment.
He added that the theme also reflected the Montreal Protocol’s crucial role in both protecting the ozone layer and driving broader climate action initiatives globally as well as fostering recovery and mitigating climate change.
According to him, phasing out ozone-depleting substances has proven to be a powerful tool for climate action that has helped slow global warming.
“The rising temperatures are leading to increased use of cooling systems like refrigerators and air conditioners, which in turn, worsen the temperature rise, creating a vicious cycle.
“The timing of this yearly event is a perfect opportunity to set ambitious conservation goals, refocus environmental priorities, and be optimistic about protecting the Ozone layer,” Ajayi said.
He noted that as part of measures taken to curb these problems, the Lagos State Government, in Sept. 11, held a stakeholder engagement and launched a Greenhouse Gas (GHGs) registry for the state.
He stressed that the initiative was a fall out from the alarming rate of Greenhouse Gas emissions and devastating effects on the Air Quality of Lagos state.
He said the Lagos Carbon Registry would help the state to track GHGs emissions from various sources, identify opportunities to reduce emissions as well as provide clean energy solutions.
“The plan of the Lagos state government is to achieve about 60 million tonnes (Mt) reduction in GHGs emission by 2050 through establishment of the Registry thereby curtailing air pollution and gas emission.
“As at now, the state emits over 24 million tonnes of GHGs and if not curtailed, the rate may increase to 74 million tonnes by 2050, which will amount to a loss of $74 billion damage to the state.
“This initiative will also help stakeholders to regulate their, reducing their overall carbon footprint.
“However, as laudable as this initiative is, its success lies on collaboration between every stakeholder with an overall aim to ensure sustainability.
“Solving the climatic change problem starts with education, through advocacy and sensitisation, resulting in habit change that will arise from adequate knowledge exchange.
“In this regard, I will love to encourage every participant to pay undivided attention to every section of this event and implement best practices moving forward,” Ajayi said.
Mrs Olabimpe Adenaike, Federal Controller of Environment, Federal Ministry of the Environment, Lagos, said the ministry had organised series of trainings for stakeholders at the forefront of implementing government policies on ozone depleting substances.
Also speaking, Mr John Akhabue, President of the Nigerian Association of Refrigeration and Air-conditioning Practitioners (NARAP), gave kudos to the Lagos government for organising the event.
Akhabue said the association has collaborated with the Federal Government on issues surrounding protection of the ozone layer.
He pledged commitment of the association to abide by government policies relating to the use of gases that did not deplete the ozone layer.
Mrs Adedayo Adebayo, Director of Sustainability, LASEPA, said the Lagos State Government had been at the forefront of creating advocacy on sustainable practices that did not deplete the ozone layer.
Adebayo said that LASEPA had been working in close partnership with NARAP on the use of gases that did not deplete the ozone layer.
The event was attended by different stakeholders, students and government officials.
By Fabian Ekeruche
