India stresses on verifiable data on hydrofluorocarbons

India on Saturday said that there was a need to have verifiable data on hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), which was important to create the baseline and decide upon a deadline to curb greenhouse gases, which are behind the depletion of the ozone layer.

"The Indian delegation highlighted the importance of having verifiable data on HFCs to calculate the baseline and deciding upon a deadline. As such having baseline in the past without objective verifiable data is not logical, in the absence of which, it will be difficult to deal with future and work with uncertainties," an official statement said.

The delegation, participating in the 38th meeting of the Open Ended Working Group of Parties to the Montreal Protocol in Vienna, along with other participating countries is working out the process of moving away from high Global Warming Potential (GWP) -- HFCs.

On the occasion several developed and developing economies reiterated their commitment to limit the increase in global warming.

"Actual data on production and consumption of HFCs is necessary for "understanding the historical evolution and establishing a baseline". The baseline is instrumental in determining future consumption and emissions," said a statement.

India had earlier this week submitted a Conference Room Paper (CRP) aimed at improving the transparency and flexibility of the Multilateral Fund of the Montreal Protocol (MLF).

The Indian submission emphasised on five key issues including developing guidelines for incorporating the principle of flexibility, improving understanding of methodologies for calculating incremental cost and developing cost guidance for enhancing energy efficiency.

It also emphasised on increasing institutional strengthening for supporting any new commitments, and prioritising technical assistance for building capacity to address safety issues.

--IANS

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