Photo: Wikimedia Commons photo.The 20 nations agreed to cooperate in “phasing down" the HFCs, which are used in refrigerators, air conditioners, and some industrial equipment. The Obama Administration called the agreement one of the “most significant" of the summit.
A statement from the White House said: “This commitment marks an important step forward toward addressing HFCs - highly potent greenhouse gases that are rapidly increasing in use - through the proven mechanism of the Montreal Protocol."
HFCs are thousands of times more potent than carbon dioxide (CO2) in contributing to global warming. Their use is increasing around the world despite the fact that climate-friendly alternatives are available. Mark W. Roberts, Senior Counsel and International Policy Advisor to the Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA), said, “We are encouraged that the world's largest economies have agreed to phase down HFCs under the Montreal Protocol. We strongly urge the rest of the world to join the members of the G20 in phasing down these ‘super' greenhouse gases." EIA's Senior Campaigner Clare Perry added, “Phasing out HFCs is the fastest, most cost-effective climate mitigation measure available and joint global action on HFCs will set an example of how the nations of the world CAN come together to solve the problem of climate change."
The agreement comes after a summer of record-breaking temperatures around the world. For a detailed report on the climate dangers of global HFC use, see: EIA_HFC-23_report_0613_Final.pdf.
Author: Jennifer Scarlott , EIA, Grist.
