Highlights and images for 28 October 2021

Day six of the combined twelfth meeting of the Conference of the Parties (Part II) of the Vienna Convention and thirty-third Meeting of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol (COP 12(II)/MOP 33) was characterized by rushed and heated, yet productive, deliberations. Much of the day’s alloted time was devoted to informal discussions on issues related to energy efficiency and gaps in monitoring ozone-depleting and other controlled substances.

In the contact group on gaps in monitoring, delegates considered an EU proposal on enhancing the global and regional atmospheric monitoring of substances controlled by the Montreal Protocol. Much of the time was spent considering issues around sharing of data and information. Delegates ultimately agreed to only request the Secretariat to provide information on, among others, options for possible means to establish new monitoring capacities. The decision was forwarded to the high-level segment for adoption on Friday.

In the contact group on energy efficiency, delegates considered a draft decision submitted by the UK on the continued provision of information on energy efficient and low-global-warming-potential technologies. Under discussion was a request to the Technology and Economic Assessment Panel (TEAP) to, among others, provide information related to the energy efficiency of sectors not considered in previous assessments. With several outstanding matters still to be discussed, the group will continue their deliberations before the high-level segment commences on Friday.

Back in plenary, Budget Committee Chair Nicole Folliet (Canada) announced that the Committee had successfully finalized its work. Delegates agreed to forward the two draft decisions from the group to the high-level segment for adoption on Friday. They will formally close the preparatory segment on Friday, when the contact group on energy efficiency finalizes its work.
 

In plenary, delegates spent time paying tribute to Philip Owen (EU), who is leaving the ozone family to join the climate community. They then paid tribute to Eduardo Ganem, Chief Officer of the Multilateral Fund, on his imminent retirement. Many remarked on his achievements in the stressful work of assisting parties to phase out ozone depleting substances, with Ozone Secretariat Executive Director Megumi Seki wishing him a “relaxing retirement.”

COP 12(II)/MOP 32 is meeting online (due to the COVID-19 pandemic) from 23-29 October 2021, from 2:00 – 4:00 PM East Africa Time.