Ban on New Approvals for Hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) Production

• Why in the News?: The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) has directed all state and central authorities to stop granting environmental clearances for any new or additional HFC production after December 31, 2027.

• This directive reflects India's commitment (ratified in 2021) to the Kigali Amendment to phase down the production and consumption of HFCs.

• India will implement the phase-down in 4 stages:

  • The target is a cumulative reduction in HFC usage by

    1. 10% by 2032,

    2. 20% by 2037,

    3. 30% by 2042,

    4. 85% by 2047.

  • The reduction will become effective starting January 1, 2028.

• Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs):

  • Powerful fluorine-containing greenhouse gases and has short-lived climate pollutants.

  • Their Global Warming Potential (GWP) is 140 to 11,700 times greater than that of Carbon Dioxide (CO2).

  • Uses: In refrigerants and cooling equipment- Air Conditioning, refrigerators, aerosol propellants, insulating foams, and fire suppression systems.

Source: Indianexpress