'India's proposal to amend Montreal protocol is unambitious'

Terming India's proposal to amend the Montreal protocol as "unambitious", the Delhi-based green body CSE released a proposal that allows cutting of Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) consumption by 82 per cent.
The proposal by green advocacy group Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) allows cutting of HFC consumption by 82 per cent from a business-as-usual scenario where as the Indian proposal allows only about 55 per cent.
HFCs are super greenhouse gases introduced in response to the phase out of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) under the Montreal Protocol. They are primarily used as coolants in refrigerators and air-conditioners.
CSE's deputy director general Chandra Bhushan said in a statement that, "Our proposal allows cutting of HFC consumption by 82 per cent from a business-as-usual scenario, allows equitable consumption and reduction of HFCs in developed and developing countries and a clear logic for transfer of finance and technology from developed and developing countries.

"It also addresses the issue of improving energy efficiency of refrigerators and air conditioners, which is very important for countries like India."
There are currently four different proposals to amend the Montreal Protocol to phase-down HFCs - a joint proposal by US, Canada and Mexico (the North American proposal), a joint proposal by Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Mauritius, Micronesia (Federated States), Palau, Philippines, Samoa and Solomon Islands (the Island States Proposal), one by India and the European Union proposal, CSE said.

"Other than the India proposal, the other three proposals allow very high per capita consumption of HFCs in developed countries compared to the developing countries.

"The Indian proposal is most equitable, but is unambitious. Under the Indian proposal only about 55 per cent of HFCs consumption will be reduced from business-as-usual," it said.
CSE released the proposal at an event organised on the sidelines of the ongoing 36th Open Ended Working Group of the parties to the Montreal Protocol in Paris.