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HCFC Help Centre

HCFC-22 moleculeThis page provides links to information resources about the management and phase out of HCFCs.



 


Contents

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About this web site: see information note on UNEP web site and Swedish EPA web site


Introduction

HCFCs (hydrochlorofluorocarbons) are widely used in the refrigeration, foam, solvent, aerosol and fire fighting sectors as a transitional substance to substitute CFCs. HCFCs are also used as feedstock (raw material) in the production for other chemical products.

HCFCs were introduced in the 1990s as alternative chemicals for CFCs and added to the list of substances controlled by the Montreal Protocol. It was acknowledged at the time that these chemicals, with considerably lower ozone depleting potentials (ODP), were transitional and their production and consumption was also to be phased out under the Montreal Protocol. Although having considerably lower ozone depleting potentials than CFCs, many HCFCs have high global warming potentials, of up to 2000 times that of carbon dioxide.

In 2006 global HCFC production was 34,400 ODP tonnes and approximately 75% of global HCFC use is in air-conditioning and refrigeration sectors. The main HCFC used is HCFC-22 or chlorodifluoromethane.

At the 20th anniversary meeting of the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone layer agreement was reached to adjust the Montreal Protocol's HCFC phase out schedule to accelerate the phase-out of production and consumption of HCFCS. This decision will result in a significant reduction in ozone depletion and well as in global warming.

The schedule for Article 5 (developing) countries is:

Schedule
Year
Baseline Average of 2009 and 2010
Freeze 2013
90% (reduction of 10%) 2015
65% (reduction of 35%) 2020
32.5% (reduction of 67.5%) 2025
Annual average of 2.5% 2030 to 2040
0% (reduction of 100 %) 2040


Science
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The importance of the Montreal Protocol in protecting climate
The Importance of the Montreal Protocol in Protecting Climate External link
Article by Guus J.M. Velders, Stephen O. Andersen, John S. Daniel, David W. Fahey, Mack McFarland in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, January 2007.
Source: National Academy of Science

Technology & Economics
 
Avoiding a Double Phase-out: Alternative Technologies to HCFCs in Refrigeration and Air Conditioning
Natural Refrigerants - Sustainable Ozone- and Climate-Friendly Alternatives to HCFCs External link
This collection of articles highlights the benefits of natural refrigerants and provides guidance to those involved in implementing the HCFC phase-out in developing countries: policy stakeholders, manufacturers of refrigeration and air-conditioning equipment, and end-users of R22 such as supermarket chains or owners of large (commercial) buildings with installed air-conditioning systems. It contains 31 articles covering the following themes: policies and legislation on F-gases and related issues; safety concerns and ways of overcoming them; a technical assessment of natural refrigerants in different applications (air conditioning, commercial and industrial refrigeration and heat pumps); and case studies by manufacturers and end-users providing insights into market developments and examples of successful conversions of systems previously using R22 to natural refrigerants.
Source: GTZ Proklima
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IPCC TEAP Special Report
TEAP Supplemental Report to the IPCC/TEAP Special Report: Safeguarding the ozone layer and the global climate system: issues related to hydrofluorocarbons and perfluorocarbons External link

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TEAP - Report of the Task Force on HCFC Issues (with particular focus on the impact of the Clean Development Mechanism) and Emissions Reduction Benefits Arising from Earlier HCFC Phase-Out and Other Practical Measures - Response to Decision XVIII/12 External link
 
Report of the Ozone Secretariat Workshop on the IPCC/TEAP Special Report - September 2006 External link
 
Summary report of discussion at the dialogue on key future challenges facing the Montreal Protocol External link
 
HCFC Task Force Report May 2003 External link
 
Refrigeration, Air Conditioning and Heat Pumps Technical Options Committee reportsExternal link
 
Source: UNEP Ozone Secretariat, TEAP, IPCC
Avoiding a Double Phase-out: Alternative Technologies to HCFCs in Refrigeration and Air Conditioning
Avoiding a Double Phase-out: Alternative Technologies to HCFCs in Refrigeration and Air Conditioning
A case study booklet developed by the OzonAction Programme in 1999 that informs developing countries about how companies and organisations in other countries have successfully identified, evaluated and adopted refrigerants that do not rely on HCFCs. Each case study includes background about the company, a description of the alternative technology, observations about the applicability to developing countries, and contacts for more information.
Source: UNEP DTIE's OzonAction Programme

Policy
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Meetings of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol
Decision XIX/6: Adjustments to the Montreal Protocol with regard to Annex C, Group I, substances (hydrochlorofluorocarbons) External link
From the Report of the 19th Meeting of the Parties (MOP) to the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer, pages 33-34 (document number UNEP/OzL.Pro.19/7)
From the Report of the 18th MOP, pages 38-39 (document number UNEP/OzL.Pro.18/10)
Source: UNEP Ozone Secretariat
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ExCom 53 60

 

Draft Guidelines for the Preparation of HCFC Phase-out Management Plans Incorporating HCFC Surveys (Decision 53/37 (H))

This document, which contains draft guidelines for the preparation of HCFC phase-out management plans (HPMPs), has been prepared by the Multilateral Fund Secretariat in cooperation with the implementing agencies in response to decision 53/37. It takes into account the comments and views of Executive Committee members. The document contains three parts: Part I addresses the timing and the general approach to adopting guidelines for the development of HPMPs. Part II covers policy issues that are related to the development of the guidelines. Part III outlines specific activities that should be undertaken with respect to data collection, preparation, consultation and finalization of draft guidelines for the preparation of HPMPs. (document number UNEP/OzL.Pro/ExCom/54/53).

See also Executive Committee decision 54/39.

Source: Multilateral Fund Secretariat
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ExCom 53 60

 

Options for assessing and defining eligible incremental costs for HCFC consumption and production phase-out activities (follow-up to Decision 52/4)External link

A discussion paper prepared by the Multilateral Fund Secretariat for the consideration of the 53rd Meeting of the Executive Committee, November 2007 (document number UNEP/OzL.Pro/ExCom/53/60).
Source: Multilateral Fund Secretariat
 
EU Policy on ODS and F-Gases in the Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Sector External link
A presentation by the European Commission about the EC's HCFC regulations, delivered meeting of Europe and Central Asia Regional Network of Ozone Officers held in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, 28 February 2007.
Source: European Commission

Partnerships
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Refrigerants Naturally
Refrigerants, Naturally External link
A global initiative of companies committed to combat climate change and ozone layer depletion by substituting fluorinated gases ("F-gases", such as CFCs, HCFCs and HFCs) with natural refrigerants. Refrigerants, Naturally! is supported by the United Nation Environment Programme and Greenpeace and is recognised as a "Partnership for Sustainable Development" by the UN Commission on Sustainable Development. See also the Refrigerants, Naturally partnership page on this site.
Source: Refrigerants, Naturally
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Building Owners Save Money, Save the Earth, Replace Your CFC Air Conditioning Chiller
A brochure explaining the environmental and financial reasons to replace CFC chillers with new, energy-efficient equipment. A partnership of international organisations, governments, manufacturers, NGOs and others have endorsed the brochure to eliminate uncertainty and underscore the wisdom of replacing CFC chillers.
Source: USEPA, UNEP DTIE OzonAction Programme, UNDP, World Bank

NGO perspectives and information resources
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An Early Freeze to Stop the Warming
An Early Freeze to Stop the Warming External link
An Environmental Investigation Agency review of the phase-out scenarios which were under discussion at the 19th Meeting of the Parties of the Montreal Protocol and recommends how to achieve maximum benefits for the climate and the ozone layer.
Source: Environmental Investigation Agency
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HCFC Phase out
HCFC Phase-Out External link
A comparative assessment by the Environmental Investigation Agency of the proposed Adjustments which were considered at the 19th Meeting of the Parties of the Montreal Protocol.
Source: Environmental Investigation Agency
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An Unwelcome Encore - The Illegal trade in HCFCs
An Unwelcome Encore - The Illegal trade in HCFCs External link
An Environmental Investigation Agency report
Source: Environmental Investigation Agency
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Turning up the Heat
Turning up the Heat External link
An Environmental Investigation Agency report that explores linkages between ozone layer depletion and climate change: the urgent case of HCFCs and HFCs.
Source: Environmental Investigation Agency

General information and awareness
Factsheet: Status report on HCFCs
Factsheet: Status report on HCFCs
Part of a series of factsheets developed by the Compliance Assistance Programme (CAP) team located in UNEP's Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific (ROAP) to address developing countries' priority questions related to compliance with the Montreal Protocol.
Source: UNEP DTIE's OzonAction Programme
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Strengthening the Montreal Protocol: Insurance against Abrupt Climate Change
Strengthening the Montreal Protocol: Insurance against Abrupt Climate Change External link
A 2007 paper by Kaniaru et al that assesses successes of the Montreal Protocol and considers advances in protecting the ozone layer and mitigating climate change.
Source: IISD
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USEPA web site on HCFCs
Recent International Developments in Saving the Ozone Layer External link
A USEPA web page about the environmental benefits of the new, stronger HCFC phaseout agreement. Includes: historical background, the HCFC phase out in the United States, Questions & Answers about the Proposed HCFC Allowance Allocation System, the potential climate benefits of the new HCFC controls agreed at the 19th Meeting of the Parties.
Source: USEPA

Country data
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Ozone Secretariat Article 7 data portal
Article 7 data access centre on HCFCs External link
A searchable database on HCFC consumption and production data as reported by countries to the Ozone Secretariat.
Source: UNEP Ozone Secretariat
OzonAction Trends Analysis
Trends analysis of HCFC consumption and production (to be available end November)
A visual analytical tool for national strategic planning showing HCFC trends in Article 5 countries.
Source: UNEP DTIE's OzonAction Programme

Surveys
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Executive Committee reports
Executive Committee discussions about HCFC surveys for Argentina, Brazil, China, Colombia, India, Indonesia, Islamic Republic of Iran, Lebanon, Mexico, Venezuela External link
Information about the HCFC surveys undertaken by UNDP (for Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, India, Indonesia, Islamic Republic of Iran, Lebanon, Mexico, Venezuela) and by the Government of Germany (for China). From the report of the 51st Meeting of the Executive Committee, March 2007
(document number UNEP/OzL.Pro/ExCom/51/46).
Executive Committee discussions about HCFC surveys for Malaysia, Sri Lanka and the Syrian Arab Republic External link

Information about these surveys undertaken by UNDP. From the report of the 52nd Meeting of the Executive Committee, July 2007
(document number UNEP/OzL.Pro/ExCom/52/55).

Source: Multilateral Fund Secretariat
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HCFC surveys

 

HCFC surveys in nine article 5 countries: Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, India, Indonesia, Islamic Republic of Iran, Lebanon, Mexico, and Venezuela External link
Summary and preliminary conclusions of HCFC country surveys. Paper presented by UNDP to the 51st Meeting of the Executive Committee, March 2007 (document number UNEP/OzL.Pro/ExCom/51/Inf.2).

HCFC surveys in Article 5 countries: Sri Lanka, the Syrian Arab Republic and Addendum External link

Paper presented by UNDP to the 52nd Meeting of the Executive Committee, June 2007. (document number UNEP/OzL.Pro/ExCom/52/Inf.2 and UNEP/OzL.Pro/ExCom/52/Inf.2/Add.1)
Study on the strategy for the long term management of HCFCs in China External link

Paper presented by Germany to the 51st Meeting of the Executive Committee, March 2007 (document number UNEP/OzL.Pro/ExCom/51/Inf.3)

Source: Multilateral Fund Secretariat

HCFC management strategies
HCFC management and strategy in Hungary and Europe
HCFC management and strategy in Hungary and Europe
A presentation made at the 2007 meeting of Europe and Central Asia Regional Network of Ozone Officers.
Source: Ministry of Environment and Water, Hungary

Customs and enforcement
Trade Names of Chemicals containing Ozone Depleting Substances and their Alternatives
A worldwide database of the commercial trade names of chemical products containing ozone depleting chemicals -including HCFCs - controlled under the Montreal Protocol. This service is designed to help customs officials and National Ozone Units control imports and exports of these chemicals and prevent their illegal trade.
Source: UNEP DTIE's OzonAction Programme


Workshops and events
International Technical Meeting on HCFC phase-out (Montreal, 5-6 April 2008) External link
The accelerated phase-out schedule for HCFCs agreed on at the 19th Meeting of the Parties places increased urgency on the need to identify cost-effective and environmentally friendly alternatives. To support developing countries with this challenge the European Commission organised a technical meeting held on 5-6 April 2008 in Montreal, Canada.The meeting offered an early opportunity for preparing the implementation of Decision XIX/6 of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol by gathering and providing information on cost-effective and environmentally friendly alternatives to HCFCs in the refrigeration/air-conditioning and foam sectors. The meeting also provided information on the technical tools for implementing viable alternatives.
Source: EC DG Environment

Countdown to Compliance for Article 5 countries
2013
1625 days or
54 months to go
HCFC freeze
2015
2355 days or
78 months to go
HCFC reduction to 90% of baseline

Contacts
ArrowUNEP Compliance Assistance Programme
ArrowUNDP Montreal Protocol Unit External link
ArrowUNIDO Montreal Protocol Unit External link
ArrowWorld Bank Montreal Protocol Operations External link
 
 
© UNEP DTIE 2007 | updated 18-jul-08