4 - 8 April 2016 at the Centre International de Conférences Genève (CICG), Geneva
Geneva, 4 April 2016 - The 197 parties to the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer, assembled in Geneva today, will negotiate an amendment to the Protocol to govern the phase down of potent greenhouse gases - the hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs). HFCs are chemicals used in air conditioning, refrigeration, foams and aerosols as replacements for many ozone-depleting substances that are being phased out under the Montreal Protocol. HFCs are potent greenhouse gases that contribute to the warming of the climate. Their emissions are growing rapidly, at a rate of about 7 per cent each year.
If the current mix of HFCs is unchanged, increasing demand could result in emissions of up to 8.8 gigatonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent per year by 2050. This could offset the climate benefits achieved by the Montreal Protocol, which has averted greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to more than 135 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide. An amendment to the Montreal Protocol to phase down HFCs would avoid estimated emissions of up to 105 gigatonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent by 2050, and up to 0.4°C of global warming by the end of the century and continue protecting the ozone layer.
It would also bring significant energy efficiency benefits that past phase-outs have always catalyzed when refrigerants were changed. This week's meeting of the Open-ended Working Group (OEWG37) is the first of a series of Montreal Protocol meetings scheduled to take place this year in accordance with the decision on the "Dubai Pathway on HFCs" adopted last November. The parties will discuss the four proposed amendments to the Protocol to phase down HFCs submitted by 41 parties.
They will also consider an initial report by the Technology and Economic Assessment Panel of the Montreal Protocol on climate-friendly alternatives to ozone-depleting substances.
Journalists wishing to cover the meeting are requested to RSVP by sending their details to: unepnewsdesk@unep.org and dan.tengo@unep.org
For more information, please contact: Shereen Zorba, UNEP Head of News and Media at unepnewsdesk@unep.org, +254 788 526 000 or Dan Teng'o, Communications Officer, Ozone Secretariat, +254 709 023 532, dan.tengo@unep.org
