As a super-greenhouse gas, HFCs are thousand times more potent in trapping heat and thus contributing to climate change
.jpg "Discussion on HFCs is vital for addressing the global climate crisis (Photo: Mikael Miettinen/Flickr)")
At the 26th Meeting of Parties (MOP) to the Montreal Protocol held in Paris last year, it was decided that a two-day workshop on hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) will be organised prior to an additional Open-Ended Working Group (OEWG) of MOP this year.
The decision was taken keeping in mind the need to continue discussions on HFC management with special focus on high-ambient temperature, safety requirements, energy efficiency and the need to have extra information on existing and emerging issues surrounding the HFC debate.
HFCs are vital in addressing the global climate crisis. This super-greenhouse gas is thousand times more potent in trapping heat and thus contributing to climate change.
HFCs replaced ozone-depleting substances (ODS) that are regulated under the Montreal Protocol. Many ODS are greenhouse gases (GHGs) as well. So reduction in ODS emissions has resulted in climate protection.
The total avoided net annual ODS emissions stood around 10 gigatonnes CO2e (carbon dioxide equivalent) per/year in 2010 alone which is about five times the annual reduction target of the Kyoto Protocol for 2008–12.
Many countries lobbied for an HFC amendment proposal which has been presented annually for consideration of the parties under the Montreal Protocol since 2009.
Though alternatives are available, several countries are facing financial as well as technological barriers. The past phase out under the Montreal Protocol led to a phase in of hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) and is currently witnessing the phase in of HFCs.
Nations have only moved from one chemical to another without fully comprehending the implications of the transition.
A one-time switch over to low global-warming potential (GWP) alternatives, accompanied by energy efficiency benefits, will be far more effective in dealing with climate change. The need of the hour is a platform to comprehend the barriers and deliberate on solutions.
The HFC Management Workshop will have sessions on refrigeration sector, stationery air-conditioning sector, heat pump sector, mobile air-conditioning sector, foam sectors and cross-cutting issues. The costs include costs of conversion, intellectual property rights, accessibility to low-GWP alternatives, timeline of availability for new technologies, energy efficiency, safety and response to low-GWP policies.
The outcome of the workshop will be presented during the OEWG session. There is hope that the OEWG as well as HFC management workshop will clarify problems in areas like safety, energy efficiency and viability of alternatives in different climatic conditions.
As actions to mitigate HFC are gaining momentum across the world, such deliberations are necessary to explore an equitable way forward that would not only enable us to think beyond HFCs, but also maximise energy efficiency gains.
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