The Deputy Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Bernice Swarts, has handed over tools of trade to 402 trained and certified refrigeration and air conditioning servicing technicians.

‘The tools we are handing over to our refrigeration and air conditioning servicing technicians today will empower them to continue their essential work, ensuring that our cooling systems are efficient, safe and environmentally friendly,’ the Deputy Minister said on Thursday in Pretoria.

The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment plans to further undertake the training of 1 600 more refrigeration and air conditioning servicing technicians in the informal servicing sector.

‘This initiative aims to formalise the skills and knowledge of unregistered technicians, promote safe handling of refrigerants, and create an enabling environment for small businesses in this critical sector.

‘As we move forward, it is essential that we continue to work together to achieve this objective and to address the chall
enges posed by ozone depletion and climate change. We must remain vigilant in our efforts to phase out ozone-depleting substances (ODS), emissions, promote sustainable technologies and support global efforts to protect the ozone layer,’ the Deputy Minister said.

She was addressing the World Ozone Day commemoration, which celebrates the role of servicing technicians in promoting the protection of the ozone layer.

World Ozone Day, which was marked on 16 September 2024, commemorates the commitments made by nations in 1987 under the Montreal Protocol, a groundbreaking treaty aimed at protecting both human life and the environment by phasing out ODS.

‘The ozone is a critical component of our atmosphere, and its depletion has far-reaching consequences for our health, environment and economy. Through the Montreal Protocol, we have made tremendous progress in protecting the ozone layer, shielding carbon sinks, and safeguarding public health. The protocol is a beacon of hope, showing that political will can lead to
transformative global action.

‘We recognise the importance of ozone protection and the efforts of our servicing technicians in maintaining the integrity of our ozone layer. We must remain vigilant in our efforts to phase out ODS emissions, promote sustainable technologies and support global efforts to protect the ozone layer,’ the Deputy Minister said.

Source: South African Government News Agency