- EIA’s report titled ‘More Chilling Than Ever’ highlighted that illegal trade in HFCs into Europe is fueled by ongoing demand for gases and high profits.
- About HFCs
- HFCs are a group of compounds containing carbon, fluorine and hydrogen (unlike hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs), which also contain chlorine). They are colourless and odourless gases.
- HFCs contribute to 2.3% of global GHG emissions and have an average atmospheric lifetime of 15 years.
- HFCs are entirely human-made. They are primarily produced for use in refrigeration, air-conditioning, insulating foams and aerosol propellants, with minor uses as solvents and for fire protection.
- They were developed as alternatives to chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and HCFCs that are being phased-out under Montreal Protocol due to their ozone depletion.
- Impact of HFCs trade
- Worsens climate change.
- In 2021, EIA estimated that CO2 equivalency of illegally traded HFCs in European Union could be nearly 30 million tonnes.
- Discourage private sector innovation in developing technologies for new substances with lower Global Warming Potential.
- Worsens climate change.
- Efforts taken in India
- India is committed to phasing down HFCs in four steps starting from 2032, aligning with Kigali Amendment.
Global Measures to reduce HFCs
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