By David Reed, UT EditorMontreal, Canada-Although nearly 250 000 tonnes of ozone-depleting substances (ODPs) have been eliminated, thanks to the activities of the Multilateral Fund established under the terms of the Montreal Protocol, the last half of the main categories of ODS in developing countries remain to be phased out, according to a 13 July statement from the MLF secretariat.And so, just this week, the MLF's executive committee approved over $23 million for new projects to help developing countries phase out another 6500 tonnes of ODPs. The committee also agreed $3.1 million to help Egypt to phase-out the use of CFCs in its refrigeration sector by 2010-the deadline set by the Montreal Protocol. Another $2 million in support will go to Brazil for a project to eliminate the use of methyl bromide, an ozone-depleting substances used for fumigating soil and controlling pests.In spite of the success of the Fund-the reductions so far have cost less than $5 per kilogram-many challenges lie ahead, the MLF statement admitted, highlighting the fact that the last half of the main categories of ODS in developing countries must be phased out by 2010.The committee also put into place procedures for verifying national ODS reduction targets in multi-year projects financed by the Fund. These procedures are intended to assist in confirming that agreed reduction targets have been met, so that the committee can approve further disbursements of funds to the projects in a transparent process with full accountability to contributing countries.More information on the projects and activities recently funded by the Multilateral Fund can be found in the report of the executive committee which will shortly be published on the MLF web site
