HFCs: Safe for ozone, yet a potent greenhouse gas
Montreal Protocol, the multilateral treaty to protect the ozone layer, has been a successful environmental agreement. But an impasse over restricting the use of extremely potent greenhouse gases marred the Protocol’s 25th anniversary celebrations on September 16, 2012. These gases, called hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), emerged as the coolant of choice after the Protocol banned ozone-depleting chemicals used in the refrigeration and air-conditioning sectors. While developed countries seek to amend the Montreal Protocol to control the use of HFCs, developing countries contend that the agreement does not and cannot have the mandate to regulate greenhouse gases. They say the amendment proposal is a ploy of rich nations to sell HFC replacement technologies and mint money