India marks 31st World Ozone Day; 67.5% HCFC reduction target achieved
The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change marked the 31st World Ozone Day in New Delhi on 16 September 2025 on the theme 'From science to global action', with UNDP noting India achieved its 67.5% HCFC reduction target.
Summary
The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) organised the 31st World Ozone Day in New Delhi on 16 September 2025. The theme for World Ozone Day 2025 was 'From science to global action'. Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav said that under the Montreal Protocol, 99% of all ozone-depleting substances have been eliminated and the ozone layer is healing, and he highlighted the India Cooling Action Plan. UNDP Resident Representative Angela Lusigi said India achieved its 67.5% reduction target in HCFC production and consumption and completely phased out HCFC-141b. The day, 16 September, was proclaimed by the UN General Assembly in 1994 to commemorate the signing of the Montreal Protocol in 1987.
Key facts
- Edition / date
- 31st World Ozone Day, 16 September 2025
- Theme 2025
- 'From science to global action'
- Global progress
- 99% of ozone-depleting substances eliminated under the Montreal Protocol
- India
- 67.5% HCFC reduction target achieved; HCFC-141b fully phased out
- Kigali Amendment
- HFC phase-down for India from 2028 onwards
- Why 16 Sep
- Montreal Protocol signed in 1987; day proclaimed by UNGA in 1994
Practice MCQs 5 questions
What was the theme of World Ozone Day 2025?
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Correct answer: B — From science to global action
The theme for World Ozone Day 2025 was 'From science to global action', emphasising how scientific discovery can guide policy and international cooperation.
According to UNDP's Resident Representative at the 31st World Ozone Day event, what reduction target in HCFC production and consumption has India achieved?
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Correct answer: D — 67.5%
UNDP Resident Representative Angela Lusigi said India achieved the 67.5% reduction target in HCFC production and consumption and completely phased out HCFC-141b.
World Ozone Day on 16 September commemorates the signing of which international agreement?
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Correct answer: A — Montreal Protocol
The UN General Assembly proclaimed 16 September as the International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer to commemorate the signing of the Montreal Protocol in 1987.
Consider the following statements about the ozone treaties: 1. The Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer and the Montreal Protocol were the first UN treaties to achieve universal ratification. 2. The Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol, agreed in 2016, deals with the phase-down of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs). Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct. On 16 September 2009 the Vienna Convention and the Montreal Protocol became the first UN treaties to achieve universal ratification, and the Kigali Amendment agreed on 15 October 2016 provides for the phase-down of HFCs.
Consider the following statements: 1. The Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer was adopted in 1985. 2. Under the Kigali Amendment, India's HFC phase-down is to be implemented from 2028 onwards. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct. The Vienna Convention was adopted and signed on 22 March 1985, and MoEFCC noted that the HFC phase-down under the Kigali Amendment is to be implemented from 2028 onwards.