Hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs)

Source: Down to Earth

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Context

• HCFC Emission Reduction: The study reports an early decrease in HCFC emissions, signalling progress in climate change and ozone layer restoration.
• Montreal Protocol Impact: The decline in HCFC levels highlights the effectiveness of the Montreal Protocol in reducing ozone-depleting substances.

Details

Key Points

HCFCs and Their Impact

• Definition:
  • Hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) are chemical compounds used as refrigerants and in foam-blowing agents. They are both potent ozone-depleting substances and greenhouse gases.
• Environmental Impact:
  • HCFCs contribute to stratospheric ozone depletion and global warming by trapping heat in the Earth's atmosphere, thereby affecting the climate and radiative forcing.

Significant Decrease in HCFC Emissions

• Recent Study:
  • A new study published on June 11, 2024, in Nature Climate Change reports the first significant decrease in atmospheric concentrations of HCFCs, occurring five years ahead of the targeted year.
• Peak Emissions:
  • HCFC emissions peaked in 2021, earlier than the anticipated 2026, and have been on a declining trend since.
• Study Findings:
  • The reduction in HCFCs helps mitigate climate change by reducing their impact on the Earth's energy balance and lowering equivalent effective chlorine (EECl) levels.

Radiative Forcing and EECl

• Radiative Forcing:
  • Refers to the change in energy balance due to greenhouse gases. The study noted a decline in global direct radiative forcing from HCFCs, which decreased from 61.67 milliWatt per square meter (mW m−2) in 2022 to 61.28 mW m−2 in 2023.
• Equivalent Effective Chlorine (EECl):
  • Indicates the globally averaged chlorine content from ozone-depleting substances in the troposphere. EECl from HCFCs decreased from 321.35 parts per trillion (ppt) in 2022 to 319.33 ppt in 2023.

Role of the Montreal Protocol

• Protocol Overview:
  • The Montreal Protocol, signed in 1987, is an international treaty aimed at protecting the ozone layer by phasing out the production and consumption of ozone-depleting substances (ODSs), including CFCs and HCFCs.
• Amendments:
  • The Copenhagen (1992) and Beijing (1999) Amendments to the Montreal Protocol mandated the phase-out of HCFC production and usage.
• Success:
  • The protocol has significantly reduced the release of HCFCs, contributing to ozone layer recovery and climate change mitigation.

India's Progress and Global Efforts

• India's Contribution:
  • India has been proactive in eliminating HCFCs in new equipment manufacturing, as highlighted in the government report at COP28 in Dubai, December 2023.
• Global Cooperation:
  • The study emphasizes the importance of multilateral commitments, such as the Montreal Protocol, in achieving environmental milestones and reducing HCFC emissions.

Future Projections and Challenges

• Projections:
  • HCFCs are expected to return to their 1980 values by 2082 for radiative forcing and by 2087 for EECl.
• HCFC-22 Decline:
  • HCFC-22, the most abundant HCFC with a global warming potential 1,910 times that of CO2, has seen the most significant decline, contributing majorly to the overall reduction in HCFC levels.
• Other HCFCs:
  • Minor declines were observed in HCFC-141b and HCFC-142b, showing a progressive reduction since 2017.

Replacement of HCFCs with HFCs

• HFCs as Substitutes:
  • Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) have largely replaced HCFCs for many applications. Although HFCs are not ozone-depleting, they are strong greenhouse gases.
• Kigali Amendment:
  • Introduced in 2016 to the Montreal Protocol, this amendment imposes strict restrictions on the production and use of HFCs.
• Challenges:
  • Despite the controls, the radiative force from HFCs is rising, highlighting the need for strict adherence to global agreements to mitigate their climate impact.

Importance of Global Agreements

• Multilateral Commitments:
  • The success in reducing HCFC emissions demonstrates the effectiveness of global agreements like the Montreal Protocol in addressing environmental issues.
• Climate Change Mitigation:
  • By enforcing strict controls and promoting the adoption of ozone-friendly alternatives, these agreements play a crucial role in combating climate change and protecting the ozone layer.

The Montreal Protocol:

Objective and Adoption:

• The Montreal Protocol is an international treaty aimed at protecting the ozone layer by phasing out the production and consumption of ozone-depleting substances (ODS).
• It was adopted on 16 September 1987 and is one of the few treaties to achieve universal ratification.

Key Provisions and Timelines:

• The Protocol sets binding, time-targeted commitments for both developed and developing countries to phase out different groups of ODS.
• Developed countries began earlier phase-outs, while developing countries, classified as Article 5 countries, follow a differentiated timeline with specific support mechanisms.

Governance and Support:

• The treaty is governed by the Meeting of the Parties, with technical support from an Open-ended Working Group and assistance from the Ozone Secretariat based in Nairobi, Kenya.
• The Multilateral Fund, established in 1991, provides financial and technical assistance to developing countries for compliance with the Protocol.

Amendments and Evolution:

• The Protocol has been amended to include additional substances and accelerated phase-out schedules, such as the 2007 Montreal Amendment for HCFCs and the 2016 Kigali Amendment for HFCs.
• The Kigali Amendment aims to phase down HFCs, which are potent greenhouse gases, thereby contributing to climate change mitigation.

Impact and Achievements:

• The Protocol has successfully phased out 98% of ODS globally compared to 1990 levels, significantly contributing to the recovery of the ozone layer.
• It has also prevented millions of cases of skin cancer and cataracts and reduced greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to 135 gigatons of CO2 from 1990 to 2010, making it a crucial contributor to global climate protection efforts.

About 28th Conference of Parties (COP28):

Location:

• Dubai, UAE

Focus:

• Global initiatives to curb global warming and future climate actions.

Outcome:

Global Stocktake Text	Introduced a periodic review mechanism under the Paris Agreement (2015) to keep global temperature rise within 1.5°C. Proposed tripling renewable energy capacity and doubling energy efficiency improvements by 2030. Emphasized substantial reduction of non-CO2 emissions, particularly methane, by 2030.
Transitioning Away from Fossil Fuels	Called for a just, orderly and equitable transition to sustainable energy systems. Aimed to accelerate action this decade to achieve net zero emissions by 2050.
Global Goal on Adaptation (GGA)	Focused on enhancing adaptive capabilities and minimizing vulnerability for sustainable development. Committed to doubling adaptation finance and set 2030 targets for water security, ecosystem restoration and health.
Climate Finance	UNCTAD estimated wealthy nations owe developing countries USD 500 billion by 2025. Set a New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG) before 2025, starting from USD 100 billion per year, including USD 250 billion for mitigation, USD 100 billion for adaptation, and USD 150 billion for loss and damage.
Loss and Damage Fund	Agreement reached to operationalize a fund to compensate countries for climate change impacts. Initially managed by the World Bank, with specific allocations for Least Developed Countries and Small Island Developing States.
Global Renewables and Energy Efficiency Pledge	Committed to tripling the world's installed renewable energy capacity to at least 11,000 GW by 2030. Pledged to double the global average annual rate of energy efficiency improvements from 2% to over 4% every year until 2030.
Global Cooling Pledge and Nuclear Energy Declaration	Global Cooling Pledge aimed to reduce cooling-related emissions by at least 68% globally by 2050, with 66 national government signatories. Declaration to triple global nuclear energy capacity by 2050 to support the transition to sustainable energy sources.

About UNFCCC:

Global Climate Framework:

• The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) is an international treaty aimed at addressing climate change and its impacts.

Establishment:

• Adopted in 1992, it provides the foundation for global cooperation on climate action, facilitating negotiations and agreements among nations.

Key Functions:

• UNFCCC facilitates annual conferences (COPs) to review and advance climate goals, supports scientific research and data sharing, and oversees the implementation of international climate agreements.

Principles:

• Guided by principles of equity, common but differentiated responsibilities, and the precautionary approach, UNFCCC seeks to achieve sustainable development while combating climate change.

Membership:

• It boasts nearly universal membership, with 197 parties (196 countries and the European Union) committed to addressing climate change.

Sources:

Down to Earth

PRACTICE QUESTION Q. Discuss the role of hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) in ozone layer depletion and their impact on climate change. Evaluate the effectiveness of international agreements in phasing out HCFCs and suggest further measures to mitigate their environmental impact.