Bangladesh initiates world’s first HFC phase-out project

Staff Correspondent: Speakers at a seminar have noted that Bangladeshi multinational electronics brand Walton is implementing the world’s first complete project of phasing-out Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), that are responsible for ozone layer depletion used in refrigerators and air conditioners.

They also emphasised the production and usage of energy efficient eco-friendly appliances for the sake of ozone layer protection and global warming control.

They came up with the remarks while addressing a special seminar on ‘Montreal Protocol: 32 Years of Ozone Layer Protection’ held at Walton Corporate Office in the capital on Saturday evening (September 14).

Centering the World Ozone Day on September 16, Department of Environment (DoE) and Walton Hi-Tech Industries Limited (WHIL) jointly organised the seminar that was presided over by Dr. AKM Rafique Ahmed, director general of DoE.

Habibun Nahar, deputy minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change Ministry (MoEFCC), addressed the event as the chief guest and Abdullah Al Mohsin Chowdhury, secretary of MoEFCC, was the special guest.

Uday Hakim, executive director of Walton Group, moderated the seminar while SM Ashraful Alam, managing director of WHIL, Dr. SM Monjurul Hannan Khan, additional secretary of Environment and Forest Department, Dr. Nurul Kadir, additional secretary of Climate Change Department, Muazzem Hossain, director general of Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institution (BSTI), Nguyen Thi Ngoc Van, deputy resident representative of UNDP, Bangladesh, addressed the seminar.

Among others, SM Monjurul Alam, managing director of Walton Digi-Tech Industries Limited, Raisa Sigma Hima, director of Walton Group, and other higher officials of the company attended the seminar.

WHIL’s Managing Director SM Ashraful Alam and Walton Group’s Director Raisa Sigma Hima presenting a honorium crest to Environment, Forest and Climate Change Deputy Minister Habibun Nahar.

Addressing the seminar, Environment, Forest and Climate Change Deputy Minister Habibun Nahar said that Walton is making a remarkable contribution in the protection of ozone layer depletion.

The Department of Environment has successfully implemented total of 5 projects, of which 3 projects are implemented by Walton.

Environment Secretaries Abdullah Al Mohsin Chowdhury said, ‘Among the Montreal Protocol signed countries, Bangladesh is a role model in implementing the agreement.

The joint initiatives of DoE, UNDP and Walton in protecting ozone layer from depletion reduced the emissions of 230 tones HCFC, equivalent to 3.30 lakh tones carbon dioxide.

UNDP’s Deputy Resident Representative in Bangladesh Nguyen Thi Ngoc Van said, “Walton is a Bangladeshi brand but it has global recognition. They are very aware of environment. Montreal Protocol is the first initiative to save ozone layer. And after the protocol, Walton in Bangladesh, assisted by UNDP and Environment Ministry of the country, has taken world's first HFC phase-out project. This is a great example of private-public partnership which will help to achieve the sustainable development goal.”

WHIL Managing Director SM Ashraful Alam said Walton has greatly focused the environment protection. From the inception of production, an effluent treatment plant is run at WHIL. We are very much aware in using eco-friendly chemicals and ingredients in manufacturing various sorts of electronics and electrical appliances. Thus, Walton achieved National Environment Award in last year.

 

risingbd/Sept 16, 2019/Ekramul Haque Palash/Mukul