Montreal Protocol effective in reducing emissions of Ozone-Depleting Substances (ODS): Study | Current Affairs | Vision IAS
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    Montreal Protocol effective in reducing emissions of Ozone-Depleting Substances (ODS): Study

    Posted 14 Jun 2024

    2 min read

    Key highlights of study

    • Impact of Hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) on Earth’s energy balance and globally averaged chlorine content of ODS in troposphere has decreased since 2021, five years earlier (2026) than expected.
      • HCFCs are compounds containing carbon, hydrogen, chlorine and fluorine.
    • HCFC-22, most abundant HCFC, has declined significantly. Its Global Warming Potential (GWP) is thousands of times more than carbon dioxide (CO2).
      • HCFC-22 is used as a refrigerant in air conditioners, cold storage, retail food refrigeration, etc.
    • Minor decline were observed in HCFC-141b, second most abundant HCFC.
      • HCFC-141b is used as a blowing agent in production of rigid polyurethane foams.
      • India has achieved complete phase-out of HCFC-141b under ODS (Regulation and Control) Amendment Rules, 2014. 
        • This is in line with India’s commitment under Montreal Protocol for Substances that Deplete Ozone Layer.

    Montreal Protocol 

    • Signed in 1987, it is a global treaty to eliminate production and use of ODS
    • Implemented under Vienna Convention (adopted in 1985).
    • Kigali Amendment to Montreal Protocol was adopted in 2016 (and entered into force in 2019) to phase-down production and consumption of Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs). 
      • HFCs are non-ODS alternative to CFCs and HCFCs. HFC’s GWP is thousands of times more than CO2.

    Ozone and Ozone-Depleting Substances (ODS)

    • ODS are human-made chemicals containing chlorine and bromine (like Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), HCFC).
      • They can reach stratosphere where they undergo catalytic reactions, further leading to destruction of ozone.
    • Stratospheric ozone (good Ozone) are found at 10-40 KM above Earth's surface, and protects Earth from UV radiation of Sun.
    • Ozone formed in Troposphere is harmful and is called ‘bad ozone’.
    • Tags :
    • Hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs)
    • Montreal Protocol
    • Ozone-Depleting Substances
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