PHASE-OUT OF OZONE-DEPLETING GAS IN DEVELOPING NATIONS

THE PROBLEM

Many ozone-depleting substances (ODS) and the fluorocarbon gases used to replace them (such as hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) are potent greenhouse gases and are between 90 to 12,200 times more powerful than C02 in causing climate change.
In 2007, the Parties to the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer decided to accelerate the phaseout of hyrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs), which are mainly used in the air-conditioning and refrigeration sectors and in the manufacture of foam. Because of their lower ozone depletion potential, HCFCs were promoted as transitional replacements for chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) to enable the latter gases to be quickly phased-out.
This accelerated phase-out of HCFCs presents developing countries with an unprecedented opportunity to adopt ozone and climate-friendly technologies and policies. However, achieving these potential climate benefits depends on the replacement technologies adopted and can only be attained if low – or zero – energy efficient alternatives are selected. Together with improved servicing practices, these actions will reduce direct and indirect emissions through increased energy efficiency.

THE SOLUTION

UNEP, through its OzonAction Programme, is assisting key stakeholders in developing countries make informed decisions about technologies and policies to replace HCFCs, with a particular emphasis on achieving additional environmental and climate benefits. Around 100 countries are being helped by OzonAction to prepare and implement HCFC phaseout management plans with a focus on: establishing accurate and comprehensive baseline data; creating awareness about technology options and co-benefits with climate; developing and implementing legislation and standards; and enforcing trade controls. These plans encourage the adoption of low to zero GWP energy efficient alternatives.
OzonAction is also working with governments and the private sector to address rapidly growing HFC emissions through the Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC).

THE IMPACTS

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and the Montreal Protocol’s Technology and Economic Assessment Panel (TEAP) estimated in a joint study that the climate benefits of phasing-out HCFCs would be equivalent to about 18 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide over the 2015-2050 period. If we consider further possible benefits due to improved energy efficiency of equipment using HCFC alternatives and recovery and destruction of old equipment, the emission reductions could be equivalent to about 38 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide over the same period.
Overall the actions under the Montreal Protocol in phasing-out ozone depleting substances have had significant impact. Since 1990 these have had the additional benefit of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by about the equivalent of 11 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide per year – five to six times the reduction target of the Kyoto Protocol between 2008 and 2012.

SUPPORT

The OzonAction Programme is funded by the Multilateral Fund for the Implementation of the Montreal Protocol.

WEBSITE

• www.unep.org/ozonaction/

SUCCESS STORY

UNEP, as the lead implementing agency for the HCFCs phase-out in the Maldives, is supporting the country to achieve a complete phase-out of HCFCs by 2020, ten years ahead of schedule. The country is determined to lead the race in carbon neutrality and HCFC phase-out is a part of this goal.

Source : Re-blogged from http://www.unep.org

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Planning and scaling-up technologies

THE PROBLEM

Climate technologies have significant adaptation and mitigation potential. Developing countries need access to advanced climate technologies in order to adapt to the impacts of climate change and to move onto low emission development pathways. There is a need to identify which technology can best be adapted to their local circumstances, as well as to remove barriers preventing the widespread diffusion of climate technologies in national markets. These barriers include high cost, import and export restrictions, inadequate government policies and regulations, and lack of experience and knowledge to operate and maintain these technologies. Hence developing country parties are encouraged to undertake assessments of country specific technology needs and to identify capacity gaps and barriers.
Technology transfer is a complex process involving a broad range of interests. It requires mechanisms that actively engage the multitude of stakeholders involved such as government agencies, businesses, donors, technology institutions, research organizations, and NGOs. Collaborative networks for technology transfer bring together these different actors and contribute to finding solutions to specific technology problems.

THE SOLUTION

UNEP is helping countries in undertaking assessments of country-specific development needs that involve analysis and prioritization of technologies, analysis of potential barriers hindering the uptake of prioritized technologies, and identification of market opportunities at the national level. This work is carried out in collaboration with international and regional organizations and centers of excellence.
UNEP is currently assisting 36 developing countries in performing country-led Technology Needs Assessments (TNAs) to identify technologies and options that are likely to have the highest impact on climate change mitigation and adaptation, given national circumstances. Furthermore, building on the TNAs, UNEP and its partners support the TNA countries in formulating national Technology Action Plans (TAPs) that help remove the barriers to technology transfer by prioritizing technology needs. TAPs enable countries to mainstream technology needs into broader development strategies (such as national and sectoral strategies and related investment plans) and to implement identified technologies.
Also, UNEP technology initiatives include knowledge management components supported by centers of excellence and networks that complement national capacity-building activities. UNEP has developed, in collaboration with national governments and internationally recognized organizations, numerous knowledge platforms and networking initiatives aimed at engaging various stakeholders in sharing knowledge and best practices, disseminating the wide range of available tools, methodologies and approaches to effectively and efficiently foster technology transfer, and encouraging peer-learning activities, synergies and collaboration for technical innovation, technology adaptation, diffusion and deployment.

THE IMPACTS

With UNEP’s assistance, 20 countries have completed TNA reports whose results are expected to inform highlevel policy decision and governmental implementation, as well as to establish baselines for specifying national mitigation and adaptation targets. Another eight countries have completed TAPs. UNEP is to date managing 5 regional climate networks in the frame of initiatives in Latin America and the Caribbean (REGATTA project) Southeast Asia (Southeast Asia Network of Climate Change Offices project), Central Asia (Central Asia Climate Change Network project), and the wider Asia Pacific region (Asia Pacific Adaptation Network project, and pilot Climate Technology Network and Finance Center project). The networking of key actors, among them the national Climate Change coordination structures or offices contribute decisively to Climate Technology innovation, adaptation, diffusion and deployment in those countries.

SUPPORT

Global Environment Facility Trust Funds, national governments of Denmark, Finland, Japan, Norway, Spain and Sweden;

WEBSITE

TNA website:

• www.tech-action.org

SEAN-CC website:

• www.sean-cc.org

REGATTA website:

• www.cambioclimatico-regatta.org
• www.climatechange-regatta.org

SUCCESS STORY

In Costa Rica, the TAP will be used to design and structure sectoral Nationally Appropriate Mitigation Action (NAMA) in transport and energy, and to support the country’s National Climate Change Strategy. In Indonesia emission reduction measures and technologies identified in the TAP will help define an enabling framework for the development of a domestic solar PV (photovoltaic) panel manufacturing sector.

Source : Re-blogged from http://www.unep.org

Help Save The Earth, There Is No Life Elsewhere