2013 Ozone2Climate Technology Roadshow Highlights HCFC Alternatives to Safeguard Ozone Layer

Shanghai/Bangkok, 9 April 2013 - A roadshow organized by UNEP OzonAction and the China Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Association (CRAA) has got underway in Shanghai to highlight safe alternatives to hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs), which damage the stratospheric ozone layer, in refrigeration and air conditioning (RAC) technologies.


Many ozone and climate-friendly alternative technologies to HCFC-based equipment with improved energy efficiency are already commercially available and used in many RAC applications worldwide.


HCFCs are cooling chemicals that have been found to be destructive to the stratospheric ozone layer and are being phased out gradually under the universally ratified international agreement, the Montreal Protocol.


Countries are now developing policies and regulations to limit the consumption of HCFCs and industry is compelled to shift to alternatives. However, some HCFC alternatives being adopted are powerful greenhouse gases-such as high-GWP hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs).


According to a recent assessment by UNEP, the global consumption of HFCs has doubled in the last decade. It is growing at 10 per cent a year and could account for up to 20 per cent of greenhouse gas emissions in 2050-equal to the current emissions from the global transport sector.


The Ozone2Climate Technology Roadshow is running from 8 to 10 April at the Shanghai New International Expo Centre on the margins of the 24th International Exhibition for Refrigeration, Air-conditioning, Heating and Ventilation, Frozen Food Processing, Packaging and Storage (CRH 2013), one of the world's biggest exhibitions of its kind.


On 9 April, an Industry Roundtable is taking place, in which both industry pioneers and key government officers will discuss promoting investment, research and development in new environmentally friendly technologies for the sector.


"The need for a globally coordinated shift to environmentally friendly alternatives is urgent," said Dr. Young-Woo Park, Regional Director of UNEP Asia Pacific. "We encourage industry to leapfrog to greener and more sustainable RAC technologies that will also improve the energy efficiency of this equipment."


A move to such alternatives is in line with the objectives of the Climate and Clean Air Coalition to Reduce Short-Lived Climate Pollutants (CCAC), of which UNEP is one of the founding partners.


The cooperation of the RAC industry of China and the whole Asia Pacific region is indispensible in achieving the goals of the Montreal Protocol and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.


"Over 25 years of rapid growth, China has developed into the largest manufacturer and the second-largest consumer in global refrigeration, air conditioning and heating industry," said Mr. Zhang Zhaohui, Secretary General of CRAA. "In order to protect the ozone layer and mitigate climate change, the industry is faced with the challenge of conserving energy and rapidly replacing HCFCs. We are very happy to join hands with UNEP and other partners in promoting, introducing and demonstrating the most advanced and most environment-friendly new technology,"


"Currently, China's RAC industry is making every effort to research and develop alternative technologies to replace HCFCs for the benefit of both the environment and Chinese business and economy," said Mr. Xiao Xuezhi, Deputy Director General, Foreign Economic Cooperation Office, Ministry of Environmental Protection. "The roadshow and roundtable are good forums for industry to share experience and inspire each other."


The Shanghai exhibition is the third Ozone2Climate Roadshow organized by UNEP OzonAction and its partners. The first was in Maldives in May 2011 and the second was in Beijing in April 2012, which was also co-organized with CRAA.


For more information, please contact:


Mr. Zhang Shigang, Coordinator of UNEP China Office, Email: zhang.shigang@unep.org


Mr. Shaofeng Hu, Regional Network Coordinator, Compliance Assistance Programme (CAP), OzonAction Branch, UNEP Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific, Tel No: +66 2 288 1126, Email: shaofeng.hu@unep.org.


Notes to Editors


United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the United Nations system's designated entity for addressing environmental issues at the global and regional level. Its mandate is to coordinate the development of environmental policy consensus by keeping the global environment under review and bringing emerging issues to the attention of governments and the international community for action.


The Montreal Protocol on Substances That Deplete the Ozone Layer is an international treaty designed to protect the ozone layer by phasing out the production and consumption of a number of substances believed to be responsible for ozone depletion. The treaty was opened for signature on September 16, 1987 and entered into force on January 1, 1989. Since then, it has undergone five revisions, in 1990 (London), 1992 (Copenhagen), 1995 (Vienna), 1997 (Montreal), and 1999 (Beijing). Due to its widespread adoption and implementation it has been hailed as an example of exceptional international cooperation.


The Multilateral Fund for the Implementation of the Montreal Protocol is managed by an Executive Committee which is responsible for overseeing the operation of the Fund. The Committee comprises seven members from developed and seven members from developing countries. The 2013 Committee membership includes India, Kuwait, Mali, Nicaragua, Serbia (Vice-Chair), Uganda, Uruguay (developing country members) and Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Finland, Japan, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (Chair) and United States of America (developed countries). Ms. Fiona Walters (United Kingdom) serves as Chair and Ms. Sonja Ruzin (Serbia) serves as Vice-Chair of the Executive Committee for one year beginning 1 January 2013.


The Climate and Clean Air Coalition to Reduce Short-Lived Climate Pollutants (CCAC) is a voluntary partnership of governments, intergovernmental organizations, representatives of the private sector, the environmental community, and other members of civil society that have joined forces to address the challenge of short lived climate pollutants. It is the first global effort to treat short-lived climate pollutants - such as black carbon (or soot), methane and many hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) - as an urgent and collective challenge. CCAC is catalyzing rapid reductions in these harmful pollutants to protect human health and the environment now and slow the rate of climate change within the first half of this century. Visit: http://unep.org/ccac.




fuente: RESUMEN DE PRENSA , PNUMA