'Ozone-depleting substances to be phased out by 2030'

India will phase out hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs), used for refrigeration and air-conditioning, by 2030 in line with the Montreal Protocol, a treaty to protect the ozone layer.

“By 2013, we are going to freeze the use of HCFCs at 2009 levels. We’ll do this by reducing their use by 10 per cent by 2015, as compared to the 2009 levels, and bring it to zero by 2030,” Minister of State (independent charge) for Environment and Forests Jairam Ramesh said today while launching a roadmap for phasing out HCFCs.

Boosted by sustained growth in demand for consumer, commercial and industrial products, the consumption of HCFCs has grown at an average annual rate of over 11 per cent in the past 15 years.

HCFCs had replaced the chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), which the government was able to phase out in August last year, 17 months ahead of schedule. However, CFCs — required for manufacturing inhalers used by patients suffering from asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases — are still available in India and a national transition strategy to phase these out by 2013 is under implementation.

“HCFC phase-out is challenging for an emerging economy like India due to issues related with technology and funding to facilitate the transition without burdening the economy and constraining consumers and industry. India should develop its own technology, rather than relying on other countries,” said Ramesh.