Awareness and Information Outreach for HCFC Phase out

1. Awareness and Information Outreach for HCFC Phase out Nujpanit Narkpitaks (Jom) UNEP

2. The importance of Information, Education and Communication (IEC) Activities • IEC = Awareness, Knowledge, Actions • IEC is one of the vital and essential elements of the Montreal Protocol which leads to the success of ODS phase out

3. UNEP’s Global Communication Strategy • IEC activities targeted at end-user, industry and general consumers helped in the faster adoption of non-ODS technologies.

4. Some of Sri Lanka’s IEC activities in the past • 24 awareness creation programmes were conducted for school children, teachers, government officers and health sector officials. • International Ozone Day Celebration • Children activities such as Ozone quiz, oratory and painting competition

5. Some of Sri Lanka’s IEC activities in the past • Publishing booklet on Vienna Convention and Montreal Protocol • A discussion on TV  by Director NOU, about the International Ozone day and the 25th anniversary of Vienna convention • Commemorative stamp for the 25th Anniversary of the Vienna Convention in collaboration with the Ministry of Post and Communication • A CD presentation for the educational programme on protection of the ozone layer was produced.

6. Lessons and experience • Most of IEC activities were carried out during the Ozone Day Celebration • The majority of the activities targeted school students and youth • No long term and specific message(s) have been set for each stakeholder • The successful and timely phase-out of CFCs and Halons would not have been possible without IEC activities in the past

7. Communication Strategy for HPMP • The Communication Strategy for HCFC phase-out as part of HCFC Phase-out Management Plan (HPMP) is built upon the awareness activities which had been carried out in Sri Lanka in the past.

8. Key Elements • More structured • Long-term plan • Provide more specific message(s) to target audiences • Use more new media i.e. the internet for outreach purposes • Synchronize with other HPMP components • Include evaluation tool i.e. survey

9. Key Target Audiences

10. The communication strategy primary target audience: • Importers, dealers, large-scale users of HCFC, service technicians and industry associations • Government officials and offices outside the NOU unit

11. The stakeholders who will also be engaged in the communication strategy • The secondary target audience • Those who can help multiply the HCFC phase-out messages such as journalists, scientists, NGOs and consumer groups.

12. Proposed Activities • Conducting Knowledge, Attitude and Practices (KAP) surveys of primary target group - To understand information habits and sources of primary target groups, commission a study on their knowledge, attitude and practices (KAP). Findings will help customize information materials and activities to better suit their needs, and also assist in later evaluation of impacts of IEC activities. - Survey results will also be beneficial for planning and conducting other HPMP components activities

13. Proposed Activities 2. Commissioning Media Consultant • To initiate the planning and the implementation of the proposed activities • To be the focal point and coordinator of any awareness-related activities related to HCFC phase out • To make sure that the IEC activities are synchronized with activities under other components

14. Proposed Activities 3. Organizing workshops for Industry Associations • Partner with industry groups to organize workshop series to update knowledge of HCFC importers, dealers, vendors of HCFCs and relevant government offices on HCFC phase out. • Supplement the technician training curricula and workshops • Help strengthen the Industry Associations and the cooperation among the technicians and the industry

15. Proposed Activities 4. Production and distribution of awareness materials (in print, in video and/ or on web) • Print: simple, easily accessible information pack that explains HCFC phase-out, its dual benefits and technical steps needed to sustain phase out. • Video: Sector-specific short (5 – 10 min) films covering RAC, Refrigerator and Foam sectors. Including dubbing of existing training films, i.e., detecting illegal ODS cross border trade etc. • Web: A section on NOU website dedicated to HCFC phase-out, and content manage it as authoritative online place for industry and public. Add all print and video materials also to this website. • Could be utilized as additional materials in various workshops organized under other HPMP components

16. Proposed Activities 5. NOU participation in trade and industry events • NOU participation (speaking, exhibitions) at relevant trade/industry events in engineering, construction, architecture, chemicals and shipping etc to promote HCFC phase out initiative/ the use of HCFC phase out products. • Technicians who have already been trained could also be speaking at the event

17. Budget Allocations

18. Proposed Activities • International Ozone Day Celebrations (under Institutional Strengthening) • Targeting/ engaging the industry • Partner with industry associations, consumer groups etc in organizing IEC activities

19. Partnership • It is encouraged for the NOU to also start the partnership with various stakeholders, especially the industry to maximize and extend the scope of IEC activities in raising awareness on HCFC phase out issues. • Partnership with message multipliers, especially media will also help outreach IEC strategy to the public. They should be invited to be engaged in IEC activities to promote HCFC phase out

20. UNEP’s support in IEC strategy • Provide updated information on HCFC-related issues - UNEP DTIE OzonAction HCFC Help Centre http://www.unep.fr/ozonaction/topics/hcfc.asp - UNEP DTIE OzonAction newsletters - UNEP DTIE OzonAction publications, including: HCFC Policy and Legislative OptionsHCFC Policy and Legislative Options, Guidance on the Process for Selecting Alternatives to HCFCs in Foams, Alternatives to HCFCs in the Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Sector, Manual for Refrigeration Servicing Technicians etc.

21. UNEP’s support in IEC strategy • Promote IEC activities which have been/ will be conducted in Sri Lanka through various platforms, including UNEP DTIE OzonAction website, Facebook, Twitter, OzoNews etc. • Provide awareness materials such as posters, publications, videos to be used as part of IEC activities. They could also be translated into local languages.

22. Nujpanit Narkpitaks (Ms) (Jom) Responsible for Regional Awareness Activities UNEP Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific 2nd Floor, UN Building, Ratchadamnern Avenue Bangkok 10020, Thailand TEL: +66 2 288 2125 FAX: +66 2 288 3041 Email: nujpanit.narkpitaks@unep.org