Alliance Cites Dramatic Progress and Need for Steady Policy Environment on Implementation of Low-GWP Technologies

PARIS, July 14, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Alliance for Responsible Atmospheric Policy (the Alliance), addressing an audience of international delegates, cited "dramatic progress" in the development of low-global warming potential (GWP) solutions for technologies that have relied on fluorocarbon compounds for valued societal products, and cited the Montreal Protocol as the proper venue for dealing with the policy challenges. "The Montreal Protocol has succeeded because of its steady reliance on a comprehensive scientific and technical assessment process," said Alliance Executive Director Kevin Fay. "We believe the Montreal Protocol can replicate its ozone protection success with respect to greenhouse gas emissions if the body remains faithful to its past precedents, including active consideration of economic, technical and environmental feasibility."

Experts gathered on July 10 and 11 at an HFC Management Workshop in advance of the next negotiating round of the Montreal Protocol, the global treaty adopted in 1987 for the protection of the earth's ozone layer.

"The complexities of an HFC phasedown require a unified, global approach," said Mike Thompson, presenting on behalf of the Alliance, as he highlighted some of the rapid advances in technologies for refrigeration and air conditioning, foam blowing, aerosols and solvents. As an example, it is estimated that the number of vehicles operating on low-GWP refrigerants has grown 400% in the last year, from less than 500,000 vehicles to more than 2 million vehicles.

Alliance member companies have worked for more than three decades on implementation of global and domestic policies regarding these important technologies--first in a global effort to replace compounds found to deplete the earth's ozone layer and now to limit the contribution of these technologies to the emission of greenhouse gases. These efforts have been guided over the last 25 years by the Montreal Protocol, now considered to be one of the most effective multi-lateral environment agreements ever implemented. As industry innovation has led to the near-elimination of ozone depleting compounds on a global basis, concern has now turned to the global warming effect of some of the ozone depleting substances replacement technologies.

Citing the complex nature of the technology transition desired, the Alliance cautioned that the transition process will require many years to complete, and urged a consistent global policy focus, and a review process guided by practical technical review.

Alliance members include companies and trade associations that produce or rely upon fluorocarbon-based compounds. It has been a leading industry voice for ozone protection and climate change policy.

SOURCE Alliance for Responsible Atmospheric Policy