26th Meeting of Parties to the Montreal Protocol gets under way

Can the world agree to an equitable phasing out of HFCs?

 
Published: Tuesday 18 November 2014

No progress in discussions on HFCs in the "informal group" constituted following discussions in the plenary
Author: Aditi Sawant
There was little progress on discussions on hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) at the 26th Meeting of Parties (MOP) to the Montreal Protocol under way in Paris. Some countries continue to stall discussions on the group of gases used as substitutes to ozone depleting gases in refrigerators and air-conditioners.
 
Delhi non-profit proposes co-benefit approach on climate and energy benefits
Author: Aditi Sawant
Centre for Science and Environment successfully hosted a side event-a workshop on Global Regime For An Effective and Equitable HFC-Phase Down under The Montreal Protocol-at the ongoing 26th Meeting of Parties (MOP).
 
Hydrofluorocarbons to be discussed in an informal group after many nations oppose formation of contact group to discuss the greenhouse gases
Author: Aditi Sawant
At the close of second day of the Meeting of Parties (MOP) to the Montreal Protocol on Tuesday, countries were still far from reaching a consensus on discussing hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs). The co-chairs, after listening to statements from all parties, stated that an "informal group" is to be established to discuss various issues that surround HFCs.
 
India's softened stance renews hopes for discussions that could result in an equitable regime to phase down the super greenhouse gases
Author: Aditi Sawant
The first day of the 26th Meeting of Parties to the Montreal Protocol in Paris was marked with hope offered by India on the debate on hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs). The Montreal Protocol regulates substances that deplete the ozone layer. These include aerosols, refrigerants and solvents. HFCs pose no harm to ozone and were, therefore, proposed as substitutes for ozone-depleting gases like chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs). But then HFCs are harmful in another way-they are super greenhouse gases that cause global warming several hundred times more than carbon dioxide; in climate parlance they have high global warming potential (GWP).
 
Transition to energy efficient appliances using climate friendly gases need of the hour, says Delhi non-profit
Author: Aditi Sawant
The 26th meeting of parties (MOP) to the Montreal Protocol on Substances that deplete the Ozone Layer gets under way in Paris on Monday. Delhi non-profit Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) is hosting a side event on Tuesday to push for use of climate friendly gases. The AR5 (assessment report 5) of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report states that in 2010 buildings accounted for 32 per cent of total global final energy use, 19 per cent of GHG emissions and about one-eighth of fluorinated gases or F-gases. Most of the energy use in the buildings is due to its heating and cooling needs.
 

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