Ozone Depleting Substances

Reference

A new study released recently reports for the first time a significant reduction in the atmospheric concentration of potent ozone-depleting substances (ODS) hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs).

What are ozone-depleting substances

• Ozone-depleting substances (ODS) are chemicals that cause depletion of the ozone layer in the stratosphere.
  • The ozone layer is essential for protecting life on Earth by absorbing most of the Sun's harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation.
• The most common ODS include chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs), halons, carbon tetrachloride, and methyl chloroform.
• These substances are commonly used in refrigerators, air conditioners, fire extinguishers, and aerosols.

Montreal Protocol

• The Montreal Protocol, signed in 1987, has contributed significantly to the reduction of HCFC levels.
• This protocol is a global agreement to protect the stratospheric ozone layer by phasing out the production and consumption of ODS such as chlorofluorocarbons.
  • Under this protocol, a worldwide ban on the production of CFCs has been in place since 2010.
• HCFCs were started to replace CFCs. However, they are also a strong greenhouse gas and ODS.
  • Hence, the Copenhagen (1992) and Beijing (1999) amendments to the Montreal Protocol mandate the phase-out of HCFC production and use by the year 2040.

Kigali Amendment to Montreal Protocol 

• In 2016, the parties to the Montreal Protocol adopted the Kigali Amendment.
• It aims to phase out the production and consumption of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) globally.
• HFCs are widely used as an alternative to ODS such as hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) and chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), which are already regulated under the Montreal Protocol.