The Montreal Protocol (MP) aims at phasing out ozone depleting substances such as chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) that were mostly used in air conditioning, refrigerating and foam industry. The implementation of MP lead to the substitution of CFCs with hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs). Unlike, CFCs, HFCs are not ozone depleting, but have a high global warming potential. This potential combined with their widespread use could undercut the benefits expected from the reduction of other greenhouse gases.
Currently, international mechanism exists to regulate the use of HFCs. Developed countries lead by the US have been lobbying for the inclusion of HFCs within the MP. But this was opposed by developing countries led by India. The latter wanted HFCs to be governed by the Kyoto Protocol, which embodies the principle of "common but differentiated responsibility" (CBDR) unlike the MP which holds developed and developing countries equally responsible for elimination of banned chemicals. However, India has recently reversed her stand and agreed bring HFCs within MP. This would have the following implications:
(A) Given the absence of CBDR principle from the framework of MP, India will be subject to a targeted and time-bound action on phasing out of HFCs.
(B) India's refrigeration sector is likely to be adversely impacted as HFCs were its mainstay.
(C) HFCs are proposed to be replaced with hydrocarbon (HC) technology, which have low global warming potential. But HC technology is underdeveloped and commercial viability of the technology has not been proved.
(D) The use of HC technology is also fraught with risks as they are highly flammable. Flammability will be a big issue across the value chain especially the handling of flammable refrigerants by inadequately trained technicians across the country both in urban and rural areas
(D) Indian economy is likely to be held hostage by foreign, especially American, MNCs as they hold patent rights over technology alternatives to HFCs.
Therefore, India's stand is problematic in light of the fact that there are no alternatives available, which are technically proven, commercially viable, safe to use and matured as a technology.
-vk
Ans2:
Montreal Protocol is an international treaty which came into being in 1987 in order to phase out the production and use of ozone depleting substances (ODS) like CFCs and HCFCs. As a result of the binding nature of the treaty, the ODS were replaced by Hydro Fluorocarbons (HFCs) which are harmless to the ozone layer.
These HFCs are used as coolants and refrigerants in air-conditioners and refrigerators, in fire extinguishers etc. Though HFCs are harmless to the ozone layer but have significant greenhouse effect and thus contribute to global warming.
Because of their contribution to the climate change and global warming, there is a general agreement that just like CFCs or HCFCs, the HFCs should be phased out. But, since, HFCs are greenhouse gases and not ODS, India and other developing countries wanted this phase out to happen through Kyoto Protocol under UNFCCC. Kyoto Protocol is based on the principle of differentiated responsibility where developing countries have no legal binding limits on their emissions. This would have made their phase out near impossible in near future.
Recently, India made a reversal on its earlier stand, and has proposed an amendment to the Montreal Protocol to include HFCs under its mandate. Since, Montreal Protocol has binding responsibility on its parties, the phase out of HFCs is possible through this amendment.
With, the proposed amendment, India had demanded full compensation for the technological upgradation and also a grace period of around 15 years more than the developed world.
The impact of this this decision is going to be on the regrigerator and AC industry, who will have to look out for other alternatives. Some of the Eurpean Union countries have already started using alternatives to HFCs. Since, these alternatives and costlier and are patent protected, it is going to be a huge burden on the industry to cope up with the change in policy.
-dsp
Ans3:
Montreal Protocol:-
-Montreal protocol is the policy agreement to prevent the use of HFC and CFC gases etc. by all the nations in order to savethe ozone layer from depletion.
-Ozone layer is responsible to prevent the harmful UV rays to enter into the atmosphere ,which may cause serious skin disease and even cancer.
-Due to use of these coolant substance HFC and CFC in refrigerators ,AC's ,Aerosols and other coolant equipment ,their emission in the atmosphere has led to hole in the ozone layer in the Antarctic region, In order to revive ozone layer it’s imperative to get rid of these chemicals and find some other substitutes.
-The available substitutes are costlier and patented by developed countries(e.g.US).
India's stand:
-Erstwhile India had stand that it would be difficult for developing and underdeveloped countries to use the substitute chemical as it's costlier and it would hit the coolant industries in the country ,currently growing annually at the rate of around 10% in India ,so if India uses the substitute chemical it would badly hit the coolant industries as the production cost will rise up and ultimately inflate the cost for consumers.
-But for India it is necessary to handle economic growth with sustainable measures as it is envisaged in our 12th Five year plan. India emerging as a leader of developing nations it’s his responsibility to give up the use of this greenhouse chemicals in phased manner with minimal impact to these industries hence its positive step by India to rethink on this policy.
-omkar
Currently, international mechanism exists to regulate the use of HFCs. Developed countries lead by the US have been lobbying for the inclusion of HFCs within the MP. But this was opposed by developing countries led by India. The latter wanted HFCs to be governed by the Kyoto Protocol, which embodies the principle of "common but differentiated responsibility" (CBDR) unlike the MP which holds developed and developing countries equally responsible for elimination of banned chemicals. However, India has recently reversed her stand and agreed bring HFCs within MP. This would have the following implications:
(A) Given the absence of CBDR principle from the framework of MP, India will be subject to a targeted and time-bound action on phasing out of HFCs.
(B) India's refrigeration sector is likely to be adversely impacted as HFCs were its mainstay.
(C) HFCs are proposed to be replaced with hydrocarbon (HC) technology, which have low global warming potential. But HC technology is underdeveloped and commercial viability of the technology has not been proved.
(D) The use of HC technology is also fraught with risks as they are highly flammable. Flammability will be a big issue across the value chain especially the handling of flammable refrigerants by inadequately trained technicians across the country both in urban and rural areas
(D) Indian economy is likely to be held hostage by foreign, especially American, MNCs as they hold patent rights over technology alternatives to HFCs.
Therefore, India's stand is problematic in light of the fact that there are no alternatives available, which are technically proven, commercially viable, safe to use and matured as a technology.
-vk
Ans2:
Montreal Protocol is an international treaty which came into being in 1987 in order to phase out the production and use of ozone depleting substances (ODS) like CFCs and HCFCs. As a result of the binding nature of the treaty, the ODS were replaced by Hydro Fluorocarbons (HFCs) which are harmless to the ozone layer.
These HFCs are used as coolants and refrigerants in air-conditioners and refrigerators, in fire extinguishers etc. Though HFCs are harmless to the ozone layer but have significant greenhouse effect and thus contribute to global warming.
Because of their contribution to the climate change and global warming, there is a general agreement that just like CFCs or HCFCs, the HFCs should be phased out. But, since, HFCs are greenhouse gases and not ODS, India and other developing countries wanted this phase out to happen through Kyoto Protocol under UNFCCC. Kyoto Protocol is based on the principle of differentiated responsibility where developing countries have no legal binding limits on their emissions. This would have made their phase out near impossible in near future.
Recently, India made a reversal on its earlier stand, and has proposed an amendment to the Montreal Protocol to include HFCs under its mandate. Since, Montreal Protocol has binding responsibility on its parties, the phase out of HFCs is possible through this amendment.
With, the proposed amendment, India had demanded full compensation for the technological upgradation and also a grace period of around 15 years more than the developed world.
The impact of this this decision is going to be on the regrigerator and AC industry, who will have to look out for other alternatives. Some of the Eurpean Union countries have already started using alternatives to HFCs. Since, these alternatives and costlier and are patent protected, it is going to be a huge burden on the industry to cope up with the change in policy.
-dsp
Ans3:
Montreal Protocol:-
-Montreal protocol is the policy agreement to prevent the use of HFC and CFC gases etc. by all the nations in order to savethe ozone layer from depletion.
-Ozone layer is responsible to prevent the harmful UV rays to enter into the atmosphere ,which may cause serious skin disease and even cancer.
-Due to use of these coolant substance HFC and CFC in refrigerators ,AC's ,Aerosols and other coolant equipment ,their emission in the atmosphere has led to hole in the ozone layer in the Antarctic region, In order to revive ozone layer it’s imperative to get rid of these chemicals and find some other substitutes.
-The available substitutes are costlier and patented by developed countries(e.g.US).
India's stand:
-Erstwhile India had stand that it would be difficult for developing and underdeveloped countries to use the substitute chemical as it's costlier and it would hit the coolant industries in the country ,currently growing annually at the rate of around 10% in India ,so if India uses the substitute chemical it would badly hit the coolant industries as the production cost will rise up and ultimately inflate the cost for consumers.
-But for India it is necessary to handle economic growth with sustainable measures as it is envisaged in our 12th Five year plan. India emerging as a leader of developing nations it’s his responsibility to give up the use of this greenhouse chemicals in phased manner with minimal impact to these industries hence its positive step by India to rethink on this policy.
-omkar
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