24 April 2015: The 35th meeting of the Open-ended Working Group (OEWG 35) of the parties to the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer concluded with Parties’ agreement to continue to work intersessionally in an informal manner to study the feasibility and ways of managing hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs). This work will aim to initiate contact group discussions on the feasibility and ways of managing HFCs, at OEWG 36.

OEWG 35 took place in Bangkok, Thailand, back-to-back with the Workshop on Hydrofluorocarbon Management, from 20-24 April 2015. The Workshop and OEWG 35 were convened in response to decision XXVI/9 of the 26th Meeting of the Parties (MOP 26) to the Montreal Protocol, which called for a two-day workshop in 2015, back-to-back with an additional three-day meeting of the OEWG, to continue discussions on all issues related to HFC management, including a focus on high-ambient temperature conditions and safety requirements, as well as energy efficiency.

The Workshop identified technical and other issues involved with transitioning to low global warming potential (GWP) HFCs and alternatives to HFCs, and OEWG 35 then considered the policy implications of the issues identified. While delegates were unable to reach agreement at OEWG 35 to initiate contact group discussions on ways of managing HFCs, they did agree to work intersessionally, informally, to study the feasibility and ways of managing HFCs.

OEWG 36 is scheduled to convene in Paris, France, on 20-24 July 2015. [IISD RS Meeting Coverage] [OEWG 35 Meeting Website]