<p>The annual Meeting of Parties to the Montreal Protocol on protecting the ozone layer focused on a possible global phase-down of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) and preparations for the replenishment of the Protocol's Multilateral Fund.</p>
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Description
The European Union sees the Montreal Protocol as the best instrument to address HFCs, which are used to replace certain ozone-depleting substances (ODS) but are themselves powerful greenhouse gases.
The Parties agreed on a mandate for the Technology and Economic Assessment Panel (TEAP) to further address alternatives to HFCs. The panel will look at the economic costs and benefits of using low-GWP alternatives to HCFCs as well as the associated environmental impacts. This assessment will provide a solid basis for further discussing an HFC phase-down. A workshop will be organised prior to the next Open-ended working group.
The replenishment of the Multilateral Fund concerns the period 2015-2017. The Multilateral Fund helps developing countries comply with their obligations to phase out the use of ODS to an agreed schedule. The Parties agreed on the terms of reference for a preparatory study by TEAP for the replenishment, based on maximising climate benefits of the ongoing phase-out of hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs).
The Meeting of Parties, which took place in Bangkok, was the 25th since the Montreal Protocol was agreed in 1987.