Montreal protocol and controlling of CFC’s and HCFCs

INTRODUCTION TO MONTREAL PROTOCOL

The discovery in the 1970s of the problem of ozone depletion by man-made chemicals led to decisive and swift global action. The international community adopted the Vienna Convention in 1985 followed by the Montreal Protocol to the Vienna Convention for the protection of ozone layer. It is the most successful International multilateral environment agreement having almost universal acceptance among all states worldwide. This protocol was agreed and signed by 46 countries on 16 September 1987 but entered into force later on 1 January 1989. Till present, the protocol is ratified by 197 parties consisting 196 states and the European Union (EU).

Since the adoption of Montreal Protocol, it was amended 4 times (1990, 1992, 1997, and 1999) and adjusted 6 times (1990, 1992, 1995, 1997, 1999, and 2007). The treaty is structured around several groups of halogenated hydrocarbons that have been shown to play a role in ozone depletion. All of these ozone depleting substances (ODS) contain either chlorine or bromine. This Protocol controls the consumption and production of Chlorine and Bromine-containing chemicals that destroy stratospheric ozone such as CFCs, HCFCs, methyl chloroform, carbon tetrachloride and many others. For each group, the treaty provides a timetable on which the production of those substances must be phased out and eventually eliminated.

SOME OZONE DEPLETING SUBSTANCES (ODS)

Table 1: ODS with their life, emissions, and ozone depleting potential

PHASE-OUT PLAN FOR IMPORTANT ODS

Montreal Protocol has scheduled the phasing out plan categorizing differently for developed and developing countries. Developing countries are given the extended grace period of 10 years.

Table 2: Phase-out Schedule of different ODS

EFFECT OF MONTREAL PROTOCOL ON CFCs

Montreal and subsequent agreements obliged parties to phase out most harmful CFCs (used in aerosols, refrigerants, foams, solvents) by 1996; with phase-out of less active CFCs by 2010. Most halons were phased out by 1994. 98% of all chemicals covered by the protocol were phased out by 2009.

EFFECT OF MONTREAL PROTOCOL ON HCFCs

By 2013, all parties must freeze consumption and production of HCFCs, and start reducing by 2015.Developed countries must complete 99.5% phase-out by 2020 and 100% by 2030 whereas developing countries must complete 99.5 % phase-out by 2030 and 100% by 2040.

RESULTS OF MONTREAL PROTOCOL

The Montreal Protocol is working efficiently in the world. There is clear evidence of a decrease in the atmospheric burden of ozone-depleting substances in the lower atmosphere and in the stratosphere. Some early signs of the expected stratospheric ozone recovery are also evident. The amount of chlorine content of the stratosphere is also decreasing and further it is also projected to be decreasing in the future years due to the impact of Montreal Protocol which is shown in the figure below.

Fig: Impact of Montreal Protocol on Chlorine Content of the stratosphere

CONSUMPTION OF ODS IN THE WORLD

According to phase out schedule set by the Montreal Protocol, both developed and developing countries are proceeding to reduce the consumption of ODS using alternative substances. The decreasing consumption of ODS in the world in the year 2005 comparing with the standard year is shown in the bar chart. This statistics shows the huge decrease in consumption of ODS.

MONTREAL PROTOCOL IN NEPAL

Nepal has signed the Montreal Protocol on 6 April 1990 and brought into effect in 4 October 1994. Nepal has formed the National Ozone Committee on 28 February 2000 under the joint secretariat level of the Ministry of Population and Environment (at present, Ministry of Environment) to co-ordinate and monitor the uses of ODS. It also prepares the annual report on the consumption and condition of ODS in Nepal. Nepal has implemented the Ozone Depleting Substances Consumption Rules, 2001 from 1 March 2001.

The consumption of CFCs and other ozone-depleting substances is very low in Nepal. But due to open border with the two large countries; India and China, there is a smuggling of these chemicals through Nepal. There is a regular inspection in Nepal by International consultant hired by the Protocol Secretariat. Nepal was awarded “The Montreal Protocol Implementers Awards” by UNEP for the year 2007.

MECHANISMS OF IMPLEMENTATION

Some of the mechanisms followed in order to implement the Montreal Protocol are:

• There is a formation of Implementation Committee to implement and monitor to follow the Montreal Protocol. The head is a Protocol Secretariat in the committee.
• Multilateral Fund is provided to the developing countries whose annual per capita consumption and production of ODS is less than 0.3 kg. Currently, 147 of 196 countries meet these criteria. The fund is provided by World Bank, United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and bilateral agencies. The fund is replenished on a three-year basis by the donors.
• All parties are obliged to prepare and present the Annual Report containing statistics of consumption and production of ODS and their achievements, future plans, targets and the adopted alternatives.
• The grace period of 10 years is provided for developing countries than that of developed countries to freeze and phase out the different Ozone Depleting Substances (ODS).
• The companies and countries are given the license with the agreement of certain terms and conditions for production and shipping of CFCs to a limited level.

CHALLENGES OF MONTREAL PROTOCOL

• It is evident to a black market in ODS which proved insufficiency of a licensing system.
• The link between ozone and climate change must be addressed more fully.
• Production and consumption of HCFCs in developing countries are increasing alarmingly despite the agreed 2016 freezing date and 2040 phase out date.
• The cost of replacing CFCs was the key hurdle that parties had to overcome due to compliance.
• Harder for Japan and EU, who threatened to veto. Also, harder USSR, could not afford to fund research to find alternatives.
• Also opposed by China, India, and Brazil anticipating massive CFC production in coming decade.
• Keys to compromise were agreement from industrialized countries to help developing countries find alternatives and agreement on delaying phase-out deadlines for developing countries

KEY ACHIEVEMENTS OF MONTREAL PROTOCOL

• Truly global participation
• Elimination of ozone depleting substances
• Healing the ozone layer
• Supporting the developing countries
• High rates of compliance
• Health benefits
• Climate changes benefits
• Global recognition
• 2010 phase out milestone

EXPECTED BENEFITS OF MONTREAL PROTOCOL

It is believed that if this International agreement of Montreal Protocol is adhered to, the ozone layer is expected to recover to the 1980 levels by 2050.

What if there was no Montreal Protocol?

• There would be no CFC and ODS band in the world and their consumption and production would have increased continuously.
• The amount of UV-B radiation reaching the earth’s surface would be doubled.
• There would have been 50% ozone layer depletion in the northern hemisphere and 70% in the southern hemisphere by 2050.
• There would be 130 million more cases of cataracts, 19 million more cases of non-melanoma skin cancer, 1.5 million more cases of melanoma skin cancer which would overall cost $4.2 trillion.

CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

Montreal Protocol is universally accepted and implemented protocol. It has provided dual protection; to the ozone layer and to climate change. It has made a very efficient contribution in decreasing the consumption and productions of Ozone Depleting Substances (ODS) especially CFCs and HCFCs. But also it has some challenges which should be beaten with the effort all the individuals, industries, organizations and the countries along with the strict monitoring. Some of the steps to be followed for the further better result of implementation of Montreal Protocol are recommended below:

• Customs and other Border Control officials must be part of the monitoring process to control illegal trade.
• Parties are advised to review and strengthen their national data tracking procedures, to ensure proper operation of their licensing systems and to cross-check their data with the sources of their imports.
• Montreal Protocol should be strictly implemented by all developing and developed countries. ï‚· Companies should be held responsible for the disaster they are causing in the environment
• We should use the 3 R’s: Reuse, Recycle, and Reduce initiative… so that the next generation does not have to go through problems made by us.

References:
1. Mackenzie L. Davis & David A. Cornwell, “Introduction to Environmental Engineering”, McGraw Hill.
2. Gilbert M. Masters, Standford University, “Introduction to Environmental Engineering and Science”, Printice Hall.
3. Stephan Konz, Kansas State University, “Work design”, Grid Publishing Inc., Colombus, Ohio
4. C. S. Rao, “Environmental Pollution Control Engineering”, New age International (P) Limited, Publishers, India.