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London: The Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA), an international campaigning organisation, has won the 2006 Stratospheric Ozone Protection Award. This is for its efforts to protect the Earth’s ozone layer by investigating and exposing the smuggling in ozone-depleting chemicals.

EPA award presented to EIA

The award will be presented by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) at a ceremony in Washington, D.C. on the 17th May 2006.

EIA, who were commended by US EPA for being ‘remarkably brave and successful’, have been fighting to protect the ozone layer since 1996. Their work has focused on exposing the activities of unscrupulous traders profiting from the illegal trade in ozone depleting substances (ODS). This often involved conducting major undercover investigation into the black markets for ODS to gather information about the methods and routes used by smugglers around the world. This information has been used to assist enforcement agencies in combating the smuggling operations and motivate policy makers to take decisive action.

Dr. Ezra Clark, the Leader of EIA’s Ozone Depleting Substances (ODS) Campaign said: “To receive this prize in recognition of our work is not only a great honour, but is also hugely encouraging for our future efforts.”

“As the only non-governmental organisation focusing on this issue, we are aware that we shoulder a considerable responsibility, and will continue to lead and collaborate in the fight to end the illegal trade in these damaging chemicals.”

EIA’s work with enforcement agencies has led directly to the seizures of illegal chemicals and the launch of regional and national investigations. EIA’s actions have also resulted in more responsible practices by ODS exporters and raised awareness of the problem of the thinning of the ozone layer.

The ozone layer, which protects the Earth from harmful ultraviolet radiation, is being destroyed by ozone-depleting chemicals, such as chloroflurocarbons (CFCs), hydrochloro-flurocarbons (HCFCs), halons, and methyl bromide.

• The US EPA established the annual Stratospheric Ozone Protection /Award in 1990 to recognise exceptional leadership, personal dedication, and technical achievements in eliminating ozone-depleting substances.

• An international agreement, ‘Montreal Protocol on Substances That Deplete the Ozone Layer’, was designed to protect the stratospheric ozone layer by regulating and phasing out the production of ozone depleting substances. This agreement was initially signed in 1987.

• More information about EIA’s Ozone Depleting Substances campaign can be found at www.eia-international.org/campaigns/global_environment/

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