About Us

Pakistan signed and ratified the Montreal Protocol in 1992. Being a signatory to the Protocol, Pakistan is committed to phase-out the use of Ozone Depleting Substances (ODS).

About NOU

The Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer is an international treaty aimed at protecting the ozone layer. Pakistan ratified the Montreal Protocol in 1992.

To oversee the implementation of various ozone-depleting substances (ODS) phase-out projects, the National Ozone Unit (NOU) was established within the Ministry of Environment (now the Ministry of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination). The NOU works in collaboration with national and international stakeholders to fulfil the country’s obligations under the Montreal Protocol. The National Ozone Unit develops various measures to regulate the import of ODS and provides assistance to ODS-dependent industries in transitioning to ozone-friendly technologies through UN agencies (UNDP, UNEP, UNIDO), with financial support from the Multilateral Fund (MLF) Secretariat.

Key Targets

The main targets of the NOU are to: –

(i) Control import of Ozone Depleting Substances (ODS) under the provisions of Montreal Protocol.

(ii) Phase out the Ozone Depleting Substances from Pakistan as per agreed schedule of Montreal Protocol. Currently Pakistan is heading towards 100% reduction target of HCFCs by January 01, 2030.

(iii) Monitor and prevent the illegal import.

(iv) Assist the local industry for phasing out the use of ODS through the implementing agencies (UNDP, UNIDO and UNEP) with the financial and technical support of the Multilateral Fund Secretariat (MLFS).

(v) Provide training to Refrigeration and Air Conditioning servicing technician on Good Servicing Practices enabling to efficiently handle the servicing operations and minimize the Refrigerant Gas venting in the air.

(vi) Train Customs officers on managing the imports of Ozone Depleting Substances and to curb the illegal trade of ODS.

(vii) Disseminate information on ODSs free technologies and phase out activities;

(viii) Create awareness related to ozone protection in masses.

(ix) Mainstream gender in Montreal Protocol and strive for minimizing the gender dispiraity in Montreal Protocol related sectors.

Key Achievements

Eleven phases of INS Component successfully completed in Pakistan; duration of each phase was 2 years. Currently, twelfth phase is in operation.

1^st Generation of ODS (i.e. CFCs, Halons, CTC & Methyl Bromide) were successfully phased out from Pakistan in 2009.

Pakistan converted 36 CTC (Carbon Tetra Chloride) sector industries and 21 CFCs sector industries into Ozone-friendly technologies under Refrigeration Management Plan (RMP) by 2009.

2^nd Generation of ODS (i.e. HCFCs) are being phased out under the agreed phase out schedule (10% by 2015, 50% by 2020, 67.5% by 2025 and 100% by 2030).

Pakistan under Stage-I of HPMP converted 05 PU foam industries to Ozone-friendly technologies by 2015.

Pakistan under Stage-II of HPMP converted 04 sandwich panel, 7 thermoware plastic, 01 RAC sector (Dawlance Industry), and 01 XPS foam industry to Ozone-friendly technologies by 2024.

NOU worked with Pakistan Customs and since 2012 trained more than 400 Customs Officers on HCFCs control.

HS Codes-2022 version is under implementation since July 01, 2022 and it also covers HFCs.

Pakistan has ratified all amendments under the Montreal Protocol, notably the Kigali Amendment in Oct 2025.

NOU in collaboration with Sindh Board of Technical Education arranged 12 certification sessions (02 sessions per day) from 20-25 January 2024, at Karachi and certified 116 RAC technicians on RPL level 02.

NOU initiated the process of introducing ban of pre-mixed Polyol with HCFC-141b as per the decision of 90th Ex. Com meeting related to Pakistan. NOU coordinated the ban with Ministry of Commerce, Federal Board of Revenue, concerned industry and Cabinet Division. Ban was announced w.e.f. January 31, 2025.

Country Programme Report and Article 7 Report are prepaed and submitted in a timely manner thus ensuring compliant status for Pakistan.

World Ozone Day is celebrated annually with relevant stakeholders.

Our Partners

NOU works with UNDP, UNEP, UNIDO and partners at national and international level.

UNDP

UNDP is also an Implementing Agency for the Global Environment Facility (GEF) which funds similar programmes in countries with economies in transition.

UNEP

UN Environment Programme (UNEP) became an Implementing Agency of the Protocol’s Multilateral Fund on 19 June 1991, and it was given this clearinghouse mandate.