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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