India launches second stage of HCFCs phase out plan

• India has launched the second stage of its plans to phase out the Ozone-depleting HCFCs by 2030, as required under the Montreal Protocol.

About HCFC Phase-out Management Plans (HPMPs)-II:

• Under HPMPs-II, India has secured USD 44.1 mn from the Multilateral Fund in order to meet the compliance targets under the Montreal Protocol for 2020.
• More than 400 enterprises, including over 300 Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in the foam-manufacturing sector and 6 large air-conditioning manufacturing enterprises will be supported under the HPMP-II for switching to non-HCFC technologies.
• The HPMPs-II provides for promotion of energy efficiency, cold chain development with non-HCFC alternatives and development of standards for new non-ODP (Ozone Depleting Potential) and low-GWP (Global Warming Potential) alternatives, while transitioning away from HCFCs.
• It is expected that there would be a net direct CO2- equivalent emission reductions of about 8.5 million metric tonne annually from 2023.
• HCFCs are presently used in various sectors, including Refrigeration and Air conditioning (RAC) and foam manufacturing sectors, among others.

Analysis:   

• Hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) have always been considered as an interim solution to Chlorofluorocarbons (CFC) Phase-out, because of their lower Ozone Depleting Potential (ODP) which is between 5-10% when compared to CFCs.
• While the Global Warming Potential (GWP) of HCFCs is high (600-2,200 CO2-equivalent), it is much lower than that of CFCs (6,000-10,600 CO2-equivalent).
• The majority of HCFCs have a high GWP. Their phase-out through the introduction of lower GWP alternatives will therefore contribute significantly to climate change mitigation.
• Depending on the alternative selected, this contribution can be very significant or can be so deleterious and of such magnitude as to nullify the efforts a country is undertaking via other voluntary actions, such as efficient lighting or appliance replacement programmes to achieve energy savings.
• In 2007, the Parties to the Montreal Protocol agreed to accelerate the phase-out of HCFCs (initially targeted for 2040) largely because of the substantive climate benefits this would bring about.
• Parties operating under the Montreal Protocol’s Article 5(1) (mostly developing countries) may receive financial assistance from the Multilateral Fund for the implementation of the Montreal Protocol (MLF) to formulate their overarching strategy and prepare HCFC Phase-out Management Plans (HPMPs).
• The control steps under the adjusted Montreal Protocol for these parties are: i) “freeze” of HCFC production and consumption by 2013 (the baseline being the average of 2009 and 2010); ii) reduction of 10% by 1 January 2015; iii) 35% reduction by 2020; iv) 67.5% reduction in 2025; v) 97.5 reduction by 2030; and vi) 100% phase-out by 2040.
   

By: Vishal