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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