Articles Tagged with ''Montreal Protocol''

The HVACR industry is primarily concerned with producing an amendment to the protocol that defines a hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) phasedown schedule, paving the way for the use of alternative refrigerants.

Countries across the world have taken what has been described as “critical steps” toward their goal to agree on a global phasedown of HFCs. The parties to the Montreal Protocol meeting in Vienna have reached agreement on solutions to all the identified challenges, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reported.

Is an HFC phasedown policy possible? Yes, though it won’t come easy or cheap. And, in a world where so many have so little, its importance is certainly up for debate. 

A global HFC phase-down agreement is set to become a reality following historic negotiations by countries worldwide in November in Dubai, which could see a formal reduction strategy by the end of 2016.

The amendment, deemed the “Dubai Pathway,” is expected to be completed in 2016 and puts to rest an ongoing discussion regarding HFC usage that’s persisted among Montreal Protocol members for more than five years. 

The Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI) applauded the decision of the Parties of the Montreal Protocol (MP) to work toward an amendment in 2016 to include HFC refrigerants in the treaty’s purview, with a goal of working toward a schedule to phasedown their use across the globe.

At the just-completed 36th Montreal Protocol Open Ended Working Group (OEWG) meeting in Dubai, the Parties achieved agreement on a mandate for the contact group. This is a significant step towards amending the Protocol, a step which has not been achieved in at least six years.

The agreement will support the accelerated global transition to new refrigerants brought on by the Montreal Protocol’s ozone layer protection targets by addressing challenges in soundly and safely managing refrigerants. 

The Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI) and the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) announced an agreement completed during the Montreal Protocol Open Ended Working Group meeting in Paris, which includes development of a global qualification program for refrigerant supply chain networks.