Montreal Misses Opportunity on HFC Climate Threat

Port Ghalib, Egypt, 9 November 2009 -- Greenpeace believes that the signatories to the Montreal Protocol(1) missed an important opportunity to send the message that HFCs(2) are a rapidly growing threat to the climate to decision makers meeting at the UNFCCC Climate Summit in Copenhagen next month.

"The onus is now on Copenhagen to engage the Montreal Protocol in ensuring a rapid HFC phase out. This is an essential step in protecting the climate," said David Kanter, 'Greenpeace International's F-Gas consultant.

In order for industrialised countries to cut their emissions by 40% by 2020, world leaders in Copenhagen must commit to action against these super-greenhouse gases and phase them out globally by 2020.

Despite this lack of action, Greenpeace does welcome the decision of the signatories to expedite the HCFC phase out while encouraging the uptake of low climate impact substitutes. In addition, Greenpeace was pleased to see that HFCs were recognised as unsustainable replacements to HCFCs, and that a report from an expert panel to the Montreal Protocol will be published next year outlining the alternatives to HFCs across all sectors. Greenpeace calls for the long-term solutions such as natural refrigerants to be considered as the main alternatives.

ENDS

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