The Ozone Secretariat has published a proposal by the US, Canada and Mexico, and one from the Federated States of Micronesia, to phase-down hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) under the Montreal Protocol, to be considered by the Open-Ended Working Group (OEWG) at its 31st meeting.
May 2011: The Ozone Secretariat has released documents in the lead up to the upcoming 31st Open-Ended Working Group (OEWG) meeting, scheduled to convene in Bangkok, Thailand, in August 2011. The documents include a proposal from the US, Canada and Mexico, and one from the Federated States of Micronesia, to phase-down hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) under the Montreal Protocol.
Similar proposals were considered by parties to the Montreal Protocol at the 30th OEWG and the 22nd Meeting of the Parties (MOP22), but were not supported by all parties, who argued HFCs are not ozone-depleting substances (ODS). According to the cover letter submitted with the North American proposal, at MOP22, 90 countries signed a declaration recognizing that the projected increase in the use of HFCs constitutes a major challenge for the world’s climate system. The letter also states that the proposed amendment builds on past discussions by parties and includes a provision to address HFC by-product emissions. [North American Cover Letter] [Micronesia Cover Letter] [Ozone Secretariat Website with Proposals]