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Accelerated HCFC phase - out
The 19th Meeting of the Parties has agreed unanimously in Montreal on 21 September to phase out the production and use of partially halogenated chlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) in advance of the schedule envisaged by the Montreal Protocol. HCFCs not only deplete the ozone layer, but also harm the global climate as they have a high global warming potential – up to 2000 times greater than that of CO2. Moreover, the production of HCFCs generates the by-product HFC 23, a fluorinated hydrocarbon with a yet higher global warming potential (approx. 12,000 times higher than CO2). HCFCs have long served as substitutes for CFCs (chlorofluorocarbons), which are now largely banned. They are used mainly as refrigerants in air-conditioning and refrigeration systems. Production volumes of HCFCs are rising sharply, as demand for refrigeration and air-conditioning is growing steadily in the developing world. China, the largest producer of CFCs worldwide, made a key contribution to achieving the accelerated phase-out accord. By performing an HCFC market analysis and policy study, GTZ Proklima assisted China in forming a joint negotiation platform involving the Chinese government and industry. Under the new provisions, developing countries will freeze the production and use of HCFCs at the levels of 2009/2010 in 2013 and phase them out completely (2015: 10%, 2020: 35%, 2025: 67.5%) by the year 2030. A small proportion of 2.5% can continue to be used to service old equipment until 2040. In the industrialised countries, HCFCs will be phased out fully by 2020. The industrialised countries have pledged to support developing states in the phase-out process. The new rules are anticipated to save some 800,000 tonnes of ODP and up to 21 billion tonnes of CO2, equivalent to a 67.8% reduction compared to the previous rules. These positive environmental results will of course depend upon commitments actually being met. To that end, the developing countries will gain financing for technical cooperation through the Multilateral Fund, and will receive further forms of support as they switch to more environmentally sound technologies. 16 September, the day before the conference, was celebrated as the 20th anniversary of the Montreal Protocol, putting the spotlight on the extraordinary success story that is the ozone regime. The Montreal Protocol is considered one of the most effective international agreements ever adopted. Through vigorous implementation of its provisions, and with the help of technical assistance for developing countries, more than 95% of all ozone-depleting substances have been gradually reduced and replaced. In recognition of its successful cooperation to protect the ozone layer, the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) received the Montreal Protocol Bilateral Implementing Agency Award. On behalf of the BMZ, Proklima implements policy decisions by providing technical support to developing countries.For further information please contact:
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