Developing a national strategy for phasing out ozone-depleting substances (ODS): The Jordan experience

As a signatory to the Vienna Declaration and the Montreal Protocol (MP), Jordan is committed to the complete phasing out of regulated substances under the MP and its amendments. The first country program under the MP established that Jordan’s consumption in 1991 was 789 metric tons. In this context the ODS Phase-Out I program was initiated which then identified further enterprises, raising annual consumption to 1,000 metric tons. The ODS II project evolved out of this finding to continue with Jordan’s commitments under the MP.

Solution

ODS II was closely modeled on ODS I and focused on financing technology transfer relating to production conversions to non-ODS processes and equipment at ODS-consuming enterprises as well as a focus on building capacity in relevant agencies.

Results

The project succeeded in completely ending imports of CFCs  and halon. This was due to the elimination of demand for CFCs and halon by converting manufacturing capacity to alternative technologies at over 40 enterprises through 14 subprojects – a cumulative phase out of 1,109 ODP tons of CFCs and halon. The new technologies and equipment acquired by these enterprises also enhanced the competitiveness of these firms. Also replaced were 20 CFC-based chillers in Jordan, eliminating the last major source of demand used in servicing. Fifteen chillers were replaced under the sub-project and five were replaced prior to the approval of the Global Chiller Replacement project. The project was able to thereby leverage US$2.3 million from the private sector—a leveraging ratio of 2:1. Under the Project Implementation Capacity Development component the Ministry of Environment and the National Ozone Unit introduced and further sharpened ODS-related laws and regulations to fully meet Jordan’s MP obligations.

Bank Group Contribution

The project was funded at a total of US$5.6 million by the World Bank’s Ozone Projects Trust Fund (OTF) which channels approved funds from the Multilateral Fund for the Implementation of the Montreal Protocol.

Partners

Aside from the multiple donors that contribute to the MLF, the source of funds in the OTF, this was a project prepared by the World Bank and the Jordanian Government. The MLF for the Implementation of the Montreal Protocol was established in 1991 under the MP to help finance the incremental costs of phasing out ODS.

Moving Forward

The National Ozone Unit (NOU) has evolved into a strong institution with adequate capacity to regulate, monitor and enforce. Relevant policies are in place and continue to evolve as MP requirements proceed. In fact, Jordan is now ready to tackle the hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFC) challenge, the next group of ODS targeted by the MP for phase-out. In November 2011, Jordan received approval of Stage 1 for an HCFC phase-out management plan, including US$2.34 million in funding to be channeled through the World Bank. Subsequently a new ODS III project was approved by the World Bank in April 2013 which includes conversions in the air-conditioning manufacturing sector and a further component on institutional strengthening.

Beneficiaries

The main and direct beneficiaries of ODS II were the Jordanian enterprises receiving funding for installing appropriate equipment. The Ministry of Environment, notably the National Ozone Unit benefitted from capacity building and institutional strengthening. Additionally, the global population and the environment benefitted as damage to ozone layer was diminished.