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The world marks the 40th anniversary of the Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer (1985) on Friday, March 21, 2025, a landmark international agreement that set the foundation for global efforts to protect the ozone layer. This milestone highlights decades of scientific collaboration, policy action, and environmental progress that have shaped international responses to ozone depletion and climate change.
In alignment with this global legacy, Sustainable Research and Action for Environmental Development (SRADeV Nigeria) has announced the launch of its pioneering initiative tagged: “Promoting Fast Action to Reduce Emissions of Fluorinated Greenhouse Gases and Ozone-Depleting Substances (ODS) in Nigeria.”
This one-year project, running from October 1, 2024, to September 30, 2025, is supported by theEnvironmental Investigation Agency, UK (EIA UK) and aims to tackle the pressing issue of F-gases and ODS emissions in Nigeria. These substances significantly contribute to global warming and ozone depletion, posing severe environmental and public health risks.
The Vienna Convention led to the establishment of the Montreal Protocol on Substances that deplete the Ozone layer (1987), a legally binding treaty that has been instrumental in phasing out ozone-depleting substances (ODS) and mitigating climate change. The Montreal Protocol, widely regarded as one of the most successful environmental agreements, has not only helped in restoring the ozone layer but also in reducing harmful greenhouse gas emissions, demonstrating the power of multilateral cooperation in tackling environmental crises.
Linking Global Commitments to Local Action: SRADeV Nigeria’s Initiative
As Nigeria continues to honour its commitments under the Montreal Protocol and its Kigali Amendment, which focuses on phasing down hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), SRADeV Nigeria’s project seeks to bridge gaps in policy, technology, and enforcement mechanisms.
Dr. Leslie Adogame, Executive Director of SRADeV Nigeria, emphasised the importance of continued commitment.
“Nigeria has made significant progress in implementing the Montreal Protocol, but there is still a lot of work to be done, and this is why we have designed our upcoming initiative to assess the country’s progress, identify gaps, and propose necessary actions to enhance environmental sustainability,” he said.
As part of the implementation strategy, SRADeV Nigeria will be engaging extensively with national key stakeholders, including: Ministries, Department and Agencies (MDAs) like the National Ozone Office (NOO), NESREA among others: industry practitioners like NARAP and developmental bodies like UNIDO. A comprehensive gap analysis has been conducted to evaluate Nigeria’s current stance on reducing ODS and F-gases emissions, and the findings will be further reviewed by stakeholders to inform targeted interventions.
To formally launch the project, an inception workshop is scheduled for April 10, 2025, bringing together policymakers, regulatory agencies, industry stakeholders, and the public. SRADeV Nigeria will roll out capacity-building programmes, stakeholder engagements, and public awareness campaigns to ensure widespread knowledge and compliance.
Mr. Jeremiah Ato, Policy and Technical Officer at SRADeV Nigeria, highlighted the challenge of public awareness.
“Refrigerants are used in nearly every household and commercial sectors, yet most Nigerians are unaware of their environmental impact. This highlights the urgent need for capacity building and widespread public awareness,” Ato stated.
As the world celebrates four decades of the Vienna Convention’s impact, SRADeV Nigeria says it remains committed to driving national action in alignment with global environmental goals.
“We invite government agencies, industry leaders, the media, and the public to support this initiative in building a cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable Nigeria,” submitted the organisation.
Mr. Victor Fabumi, Programme Manager at SRADeV Nigeria, emphasised the environmental impact of F-gases and ODS to the climate, stating: “F-gases, in particular, have an exceptionally high Global Warming Potential (GWP) and significantly contribute to rising global temperatures, exacerbating climate change. Likewise, ODS not only accelerate global warming but also deplete the ozone layer. By tackling the issues of the emissions of both F-gases and ODS, SRADeV aims to play a key role in combating climate change.”
