India has demanded the speeding up of global efforts to ban ozone-depleting chemicals and asked for adequate funding and transfer of related technologies to help developing countries reduce their emission.
"Adequate funding of environmentally safe substitutes and speedy transfer of related technologies need to be ensured to assist developing countries to cut ozone-depleting chemicals under the Montreal Protocol," Namo Narain Meena, Minister of State for Environment said at a United Nations Conference on Environment in Montreal on Monday.
Delegates from almost 200 countries are participating in the week-long conference, which focuses on ways to eliminate hydrochlorofluorocarbons used in air conditioners and fridges, and protect the depleting ozone layer.
The United States -- backed by the UN -- wants to move the deadline for phasing out production and use of ozone depletion substances for developed countries to 2020 from 2030 and to 2030 from 2040 for developing nations.
"India has taken proactive steps to create awareness and providing adequate training to Customs and other officials involved in enforcement about ODS," Meena said.
India has ratified amendments to the Montreal Protocol and as per Article 7, it has submitted all data to the Ozone Secretariat including data for 2006, the minister said.
"The country has proper rules for phasing out ODSs and periodically reviews its preparedness in various sectors under the Protocol," he said, adding that the national regulatory measures have been designed to encourage the use of non-ODS based technologies through fiscal incentives.
The international community is marking the 20th anniversary of the Montreal Protocol, aimed at protecting the ozone layer that prevents the harmful ultraviolet rays from entering earth's surface.
