Awareness and Information Outreach for HCFC Phase

out

Nujpanit Narkpitaks (Jom)UNEP

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

UNEP’s Global Communication Strategy

IEC activities targeted at end-user, industry and general consumers helped in the faster adoption of non-ODS technologies.

Some of Sri Lanka’s IEC activities in the past

24 a wareness creation program mes were conducted for school c

hildren, teachers, government of ficers and health sector officials.

International Ozone Day Celebration

Children activities such as Ozone quiz, oratory and painting competition

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.

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

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.

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

Key Target Audiences

F i gur e 1

A ud i e nce se gm e nt a t i o n f o r H P M P C o m m u ni ca t i o ns

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

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.

Proposed Activities

1. 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

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

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

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

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

Budget Allocations

Proposed Activities

International Ozone Day Celebrations

(under Institutional Strengthening)- Targeting/ engaging the industry- Partner with industry associations,

consumer groups etc in organizing IEC activities

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

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.

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.

Nujpanit Narkpitaks (Ms)(Jom)

Responsible for Regional Awareness ActivitiesUNEP Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific

2nd Floor, UN Building, Ratchadamnern AvenueBangkok 10020, Thailand

TEL: +66 2 288 2125FAX: +66 2 288 3041

Email: nujpanit.narkpitaks@unep.org