Traders smuggle potent Greenhouse Gas (GHG) to Europe: Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA) Investigation | Current Affairs | Vision IAS
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Traders smuggle potent Greenhouse Gas (GHG) to Europe: Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA) Investigation

Posted 10 Apr 2024

2 min read

  • 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 COequivalency 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. 

 

  • 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

  • Kigali amendment to Montreal Protocol aims to phase-down production and consumption of HFCs.
  • F-gas (Fluorinated gases) Regulation by EU in 2014, to phase down HFC.
  • Global Cooling Pledge committed to support robust action through Montreal Protocol Multilateral Fund for early action to reduce HFC consumption.
  • Tags :
  • GHGs
  • HFCs
  • HFCs trade
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