Letters: Alternative to HFCs

With reference to the editorial, “Kigali shows the way” (October 19), the agreement at Kigali, signed by 200 countries, is a big step forward in the fight against climate change, without ignoring growth and the development agenda. The fact that the categorisation of countries this time is more realistic and pragmatic is a major gain for developing nations such as India. 

India is a huge and rapidly growing market for air conditioners and refrigerators. Phasing out hydrofluorocarbons (HFC) would certainly slow down damage to the ozone layer and curb the concentration of harmful gases in the earth’s atmosphere — the root cause of global warming and extreme weather events, which are now becoming the norm rather 

than exceptions.

Cost is, of course, a big consideration. The United Nations Development Programme had started a fund more than 25 years ago. My own company received some assistance for replacing these harmful gases that were getting released in the manufacture of our line of vaccine carriers and cold boxes for the immunisation mission. We were using conventional chemicals like arsenic as foaming agents for polyurethane insulation and these were quickly replaced when the Italian manufacturer of foaming machines made some simple changes at our factory premises itself.

I am sure there are relatively cheaper solutions for refrigerants also. And the UN system may yet again help.

Krishan Kalra, Gurgaon

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