On September 27, U.S. President Barack Obama met with Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to discuss how to improve ties on a number of issues between the countries, including how to support efforts to phase-down the super greenhouse gases HFCs (hydrofluorocarbons). HFCs, primarily used in refrigeration, air conditioning, and foam blowing, are extremely harmful to the climate as they are hundreds and thousands of times more potent than carbon dioxide (CO2).
On September 27, U.S. President Barack Obama met with Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to discuss how to improve ties on a number of issues between the countries, including how to support efforts to phase-down the super greenhouse gases HFCs (hydrofluorocarbons). HFCs, primarily used in refrigeration, air conditioning, and foam blowing, are extremely harmful to the climate as they are hundreds and thousands of times more potent than carbon dioxide (CO2).
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Certainly the United States, as the largest consumer of these super greenhouse gases, needs to focus on reducing its use of HFCs. However, with explosive growth in air conditioning and refrigeration in India projected over the next few years, India’s HFC emissions could also increase exponentially. Building on previous discussions and meetings by high-ranking officials, President Obama and Prime Minister Singh plan to convene the India-U.S. Task Force on HFCs, and "to use complementary multilateral initiatives, such as using the expertise and institutions of the Montreal Protocol to phase-down the production and consumption of HFCs."
India and the United States have a significant economic and strategic partnership, and this agreement will build upon previous agreements to expand innovative technologies to address climate change. We are pleased that both countries recognize the opportunity to take action under the Montreal Protocol that includes alternative technologies to HFCs.
Global support for Montreal Protocol
This historic agreement follows multiple bilateral and multinational agreements that are building towards a global effort to phase-down the consumption and production of HFCs. This includes the breakthrough agreement between President Obama and President Xi of China in June 2013, the recent G-20 communique and the upcoming BASIC statement.
Read more at ENN affiliate Triple Pundit.
A/c tech charging air conditioning units, temperatures have set records this summer photo via Shutterstock.
