Energy and Environment

July 2007 - UNDP conducts HCFC surveys in 12 countries

The use and production of ozone depleting substances known as hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs), is gaining more and more importance. As the Montreal Protocol currently stands, production and import of HCFCs may continue in developed countries until 2030 and in developing countries until 2040.

However there is already an imbalance as numerous developed countries have begun phasing out HCFCs at a faster rate than required by the Protocol, while in developing countries HCFC use is escalating. This could threaten not only the protection of the ozone layer in the longer term but negatively impact on developing countries’ economies in the short term.

In order to short circuit potential problems arising, UNDP assisted 12 large and medium-sized HCFC-consuming developing countries to undertake national HCFC surveys. Results showed that there are a multitude of issues that will determine the future of the use of HCFCs and highlighted the countries’ concerns and needs as well as their desire to move towards finding solutions starting sooner, rather than later. Virtually all the countries surveyed expressed an interest in considering HCFC growth adjustment programmes and accelerated phase-out strategies. Consensus reigned among the 12 that any changes agreed to the Protocol’s HCFC targets would need to ensure the sustained and cost-effective availability of environmentally friendly substitutes, access to technical assistance and technology transfer, as well as funding to facilitate the transition so that no undue burden would be experienced by the countries’ economies and no constraints imposed on their consumers and industry.

As the Parties to the Montreal Protocol prepare to meet in 2007, the dialogue has significantly evolved. A number of proposals for the adoption of interim phase-out targets that could lead to an overall acceleration of HCFC phase-out have been tabled for the consideration of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol.

Executive summary of the HCFC survey reports: