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The deadline for completing the tasks laid down by the Montreal Protocol is fast approaching, but India seems to be nowhere near to fulfilling its obligations, warn experts.

Under the international treaty signed in 1987, India is supposed to phase out Ozone-depleting substances (ODS) like chlorofluoro carbons (CFCs) by January 1, 2003. But refrigerator manufacturers who use CFCs as a coolant is yet to switch over to more eco-friendly substances.

Besides CFCs, the refrigerator industry also makes use of hydro-fluorocarbons (HFCs) for cooling and insulation. While CFCs cause damage to the ozone layer in the Earth's atmosphere, HFCs are green house gases (GHGs) and are responsible for global warming and climate change.

Nations who had signed the Montreal Protocol had agreed to phase out ODS only if HFCs were used as substitutes. But the 1997 Kyoto Protocol called for reduction in the emission of six GHGs

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