Message on the International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer

保护臭氧层国际日致辞

 

16 September 2016

2016年9月16日

 

The world has changed since we last marked International Ozone Day. We now have our 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which will foster equitable inclusive growth and further the well-being of people and our planet. On climate change, the Paris Agreement marks a historic turning point in our common journey towards a secure and sustainable world.

 

自我们上一次庆祝国际臭氧层日以来，世界发生了变化。《2030年可持续发展议程》现已通过，将促进公平的包容性增长，并增进人民和地球的福祉。在气候变化方面，《巴黎协定》标志着我们在争取实现安全、可持续世界的共同旅程中已到达一个历史性的转折点。

 

Now, we must turn ambition into action, and strengthen climate protection by harnessing the power of the Montreal Protocol to make progress in slowing the near-term warming caused by hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), the fastest growing of the greenhouse gases.

 

我们现在必须将宏伟目标化为实际行动，通过利用《蒙特利尔议定书》的力量，在减缓温室气体中增长最快的物质、即氢氟碳化合物造成的短期升温现象方面取得进展，从而加强气候保护。

 

Next month, in Rwanda, we have an opportunity to do exactly that, when national delegations gather to reach a global consensus on phasing down HFCs under the Montreal Protocol. Years ago, HFCs were widely adopted as an effective alternative to products that were damaging the ozone layer, particularly those used in refrigeration and air conditioning. However, science has revealed that, while HFCs have greatly reduced the threat to the ozone layer, they are an extremely potent greenhouse gas. With their use increasing rapidly, we must take decisive action – just as we previously did to put the ozone layer on the path to recovery.

 

下个月，我们有望在卢旺达做到这一点。届时，各国代表团将聚在一起，根据《蒙特利尔议定书》就逐步减少氢氟碳化合物的问题达成全球共识。几年前，各国广泛采用氢氟碳化合物来有效替代破坏臭氧层的产品，特别是在制冷和空调设备中采用的产品。然而，科学已表明，氢氟碳化合物虽然大大减少了对臭氧层的威胁，但却是一种极强的温室气体。随着其使用量迅速增加，我们必须采取果断行动，正如我们以前为恢复臭氧层而果断行动那样。

 

Phasing down HFCs would provide considerable benefits. It would avoid up to half a degree of global warming by the end of this century, providing a major boost for the Paris Agreement, and it could also significantly improve the energy efficiency of some alternative refrigerants and technologies.

 

逐步减少氢氟碳化合物会带来相当多的好处。到本世纪末，它将避免全球气温上升0.5度，为《巴黎协定》提供重要的推动力，还可大大提高某些替代性制冷剂和技术的能效。

 

A global problem requires a global solution. I am confident that any obstacles can be overcome, having already seen nations use the Montreal Protocol to avert up to two million cases of skin cancer a year and save many more people from the suffering caused by cataracts.

 

全球问题需要全球解决方案。我已经看到各国利用《蒙特利尔议定书》每年可防止多达200万个皮肤癌病例，并使更多人免遭白内障之苦，因此深信，任何障碍都是可以克服的。

 

By using the Montreal Protocol regime to phase down HFCs, we can complement other efforts to reduce carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gas emissions under the UNFCCC process.  On this International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer, let us remember how much has already been accomplished, and commit to do more to protect our atmosphere. By working together, we can build a safer, healthier, more prosperous and resilient world for all people while protecting our planet, our only home.

 

通过采用《蒙特利尔议定书》机制逐步减少氢氟碳化合物，我们可以补充《联合国气候变化框架公约》进程下的其他旨在减少二氧化碳和其他温室气体排放量的工作。值此保护臭氧层国际日之际，让我们铭记已经取得的成就，致力开展更多行动保护大气层。通过合作，我们可以为所有人建设一个更安全、更健康、更繁荣和抗灾能力更强的世界，同时保护我们的唯一家园——地球。