Proposal by Island Nations aims to solve 1/3 of climate change problem under ozone treaty

The IGSD press release on a joint proposal by Micronesia and Mauritius for phasing down HFCs which could otherwise be responsible for 1/3rd of total climate emissions by 2040. The U.S. is also considering submitting its own proposal on HFCs to the Montreal Protocol.

Two island nations, Micronesia and Mauritius, filed a proposed amendment on 30th April 09 to regulate HFCs under the Montreal Protocol ozone treaty. HFC emissions are expected to grow rapidly over the next few decades, equaling about one third of the climate problem by 2040. With the support of 195 Parties the Montreal Protocol has been successful in phasing out 97% of almost 100 chemicals over the past two decades and could do the same for HFCs.

This document presents the Press release on discussions by U.S. on whether to submit their own proposal on HFCs to the Montreal Protocol.