Indian proposal for amendment for phase-down of Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs)
HFCs have been widely used chemicals as substitute to Ozone Depleting Substances (ODSs). HFCs being non-ODSs are not controlled so far under the Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer and its Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer. However, emissions of HFCs are controlled along with other six Green House Gases (GHGs) under the United Nations Framework Convention for Climate Change (UNFCCC) and its Kyoto Protocol. Considering HFCs are high-Global Warming Potential (GWP) chemicals, there is a growing global concern with the increased use of HFCs. It is proposed to phase-down production and consumption of HFCs using expertise and institutions of the Montreal Protocol and continue to include HFCs within the scope of the UNFCCC and its Kyoto Protocol for accounting and reporting of emissions. The amendment proposal for phase-down of HFCs takes into account challenges in phase-out of Hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) in Article 5 Parties by incorporating flexibilities in terms of choice of alternative technologies and timeframe for transitioning from HFCs to safe, technically proven, energy-efficient, economically viable, environment friendly, commercially available low-GWP/zero-GWP technologies.