BANGKOK: Unprecedented global attention on super greenhouse gases –
hydrofluorocarbons, or HFCs – resulted in agreement on a way forward under the Montreal Protocol this
week.
At the
five-day meeting in Bangkok, the African group emerged as a strong
voice in support of tackling HFCs, overcoming resistance by a minority
of countries.
There
were high expectations at the start of the meeting after India,
previously one of the strongest opponents, submitted its own HFC
phase-down amendment proposal. This
proposal, in combination with those filed previously by the North
American countries and Micronesia and the efforts of the African group,
brought new energy to the negotiations, with the vast majority of
developing and developed countries in favour of a phase-down
of HFCs under the Montreal Protocol.
Strong
opposition from Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states, however,
quickly showed that there remain serious obstacles.
“The
efforts of India and Senegal, and the leadership of the African group in
moving negotiations forward, provide hope that all countries can come
to a swift agreement to
take fast action on HFCs,” said Clare Perry, Head of Climate for the
Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA).
A two-day technical workshop followed by a three-day political meeting was dedicated to the issue of managing HFCs.
“This
meeting is a first but crucial step in ensuring that the Montreal
Protocol doesn’t restore the ozone layer at the expense of the global
climate,” said Mark W. Roberts,
EIA International Policy Advisor. “Decisive action on HFCs will
mitigate 100 billion tonnes of CO2e and deliver massive energy efficiency gains, catalysing strong climate benefits.”
Parties
agreed to continue inter-sessional work on HFCs with a view to
establishing a contact group at the next OEWG meeting in Paris in July.
The explicit mention of ‘contact
group’ is significant as it indicates formal negotiations will start
this year.
