Recent studies indicate that the eastern and northern regions of China could account for between 20 to 50 percent of the global emissions gap. HFC-23 emissions are closely tied to the issue of feedstock use given that HFC-23 is a byproduct of HCFC-22 production, and China accounts for 68 percent of global HCFC production.
Under the Montreal Protocol, ozone-depleting feedstocks are exempt from controls based on the premise that the feedstock chemical is entirely consumed in the manufacture of other chemicals and thus not emitted. However, HCFC-22 production plants release HFC-23 as a byproduct and, given the salience of this issue, the parties of the agreement decided to continue taking steps to curb emissions from feedstock production and use. NRDC applauds this decision and has been advocating for tighter controls on feedstock uses under the Montreal Protocol for decades now.
The parties also adopted a decision that encourages “relevant” countries to investigate potential reasons for the underreporting of HFC-23 emissions and invites them to undertake in the atmospheric monitoring of HFC-23 and to conduct research on potential sources of emissions. This is a significant step in the right direction. In parallel, countries decided to update a few data-reporting forms for HFC-23 to provide additional clarity on how to report HFC-23 produced in one year and destroyed in another.
Trust but verify: Emissions gaps underscore the need for additional atmospheric monitoring
The HFC-23 emissions gap has further underscored the need to enhance regional and global atmospheric monitoring of HFCs and other ozone-depleting chemicals. Several regions around the world have zero atmospheric monitoring stations, making it difficult to verify that countries are abiding by their commitments to the Montreal Protocol. The parties decided to allocate $400,000 for the first round of site evaluations for new monitoring stations. Given the discrepancies on HFC-23 emissions described above—and a similar discrepancy that occurred for CFC-11 in the past—additional monitoring stations are critical for enforcement efforts and for preserving the successes of the Montreal Protocol.
Lifecycle refrigerant management
Historically, the Montreal Protocol has focused on phasing down the supply (production and consumption) of gases that deplete the ozone layer or climate. It was assumed that chemicals used as refrigerants and in other applications would eventually leak into the atmosphere. With the increasing urgency of climate change, countries are recognizing the importance of reducing these emissions from the “bank” of chemicals already in use. This has led to heightened focus on managing refrigerants throughout their lifecycle. Hence the term lifecycle refrigerant management, or LRM.
This year, the Ozone Secretariat organized a pre-MOP workshop for a focused discussion on LRM, during which countries could learn more about the topic and flag any concerns. Following the workshop, it was encouraging to see additional progress—and enthusiasm—around the topic as a decision was adopted that will help facilitate LRM information and resource sharing across parties.
In addition to the workshop, NRDC and the Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA) organized a side event with a moderated panel discussion among experts from the United States, India, China, Australia, and the Climate Ozone Protection Alliance (COPA). Experts discussed strengthening workforce development in the context of successfully implementing LRM, with a particular emphasis on the need for a well-trained and -equipped workforce. In addition to offering perspectives from their respective country’s approaches to LRM, panelists discussed the importance of empowering the workforce and recognizing that the work done by technicians on the ground is a climate job carried out by specialized knowledge workers. The uplifting of the workforce and its contributions are essential for unlocking the climate and ozone benefits of LRM.
