Climate change

Modi government’s climate change actions–big on plans but unclear in implementation strategy

‘Developed nations want India to leapfrog to a technology which even they have not accepted’

With climate change negotiations round the corner, an important debate on the use and phase out of hydrofluorocarbons used as coolant in …

How a saviour of the ozone hole became a climate change villain – and how we're going to fix it

HFCs were created to replace ozone-damaging chemicals, but they turned out to be major contributors to climate change

Meeting of Parties on Montreal Protocol begins in Dubai

Administrative and discussion on agenda items dominate the first day of MOP

Old demons remain, new emerge

Developing nations warn any move to reinterpret UNFCCC will be counterproductive

Biological Diversity (Amendment) Bill, 2022 passed

It has to be ensured that these amendments help India meet the targets set up under the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework

The futility of CoP23

Although in its 25th year, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change is still struggling to find a way out of this century's …

Are we finally about to get a global agreement on aviation emissions?

The upcoming meeting in Montreal looks set to approve a mandatory system of carbon offsetting for international flights

Safeguarding Ozone and Earth

As we celebrate the 22nd International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer, Down To Earth takes a look at what should be done to …

MOP 28: Countries close to agreeing on a dual baseline for HFC phase down

Experts suggest that this could lead to a change in the status quo of differentiation mechanism for Montreal Protocol parties

China continues to use ozone depleting CFC-11 in violation of Montreal Protocol

Between 40 and 60 per cent of total global CFC-11 emissions originate from Eastern China, reveals study. This is no good news for the ozone layer …

Montreal Protocol negotiations: funding remains a roadblock

Negotiators have prepared a draft text to address all the challenges, except funding

BIS to revisit safety standards on use of hydrocarbons in fridges and ACs

CSE had recommended amendments to a standard which would allow wider use of the refrigerant

Road to COP15 Montreal: Kenya’s local communities have had limited benefits from their natural resources; here is why

Many communities are vulnerable to manipulation, rendering the whole principle of fair and equitable sharing of benefits impractical

Montreal Protocol: A successful treaty?

Even as the fate of HFCs hangs in uncertainty, there remains much at stake for the Montreal Protocol

Negotiations pick pace as US proposes amendment text on exempted countries

The amendment text proposed by the US allows HFC exemption for 34 countries, mostly from the Middle East and Africa

Ozone layer to recover in 4 decades but aerosol injection may undo gains: UNEP

The success of the Montreal Protocol can inspire climate action, say scientists

No consensus on HFCs at Montreal Protocol meet

Hydrofluorocarbons to be discussed in an informal group after many nations oppose formation of contact group to discuss the greenhouse gases

HFC-23 emissions on the rise

India, China threaten to release more super greenhouse gas; developed countries just as guilty

Ozone layer recovery can be speeded up

As the levels of ozone depleting substances continue to decrease because of compliance with the Montreal Protocol, ozone layer may heal 11 years …

Antarctic ozone layer hole keeps shrinking in 2022: NASA, NOAA

Ban on chemicals adopted by Montreal Protocal attributed to gradual ozone layer recovery

Countries agreed to ban ozone-depleting chemicals in 1980s — but 5 CFCs are increasing to record levels in atmosphere

The 1987 Montreal protocol restricted the release of chlorofluorocarbons to the atmosphere

Climate of irrationality

Developed and developing countries are divided over regulating super greenhouse gases under Montreal Protocol

California to cut down emissions of methane, HFCs and black carbon

Reduction in the emissions of short lived climate pollutants can facilitate the post-2015 development agenda

The gas game

Fluorocarbons, which created a hole in the ozone layer, have generated intense global debates. But these have been more about business than …