Montreal Protocol Targets in Ozone preservation surpassed by India

Context: India has successfully phased out ozone-depleting and climate-warming chemical HCFC 141b and is before schedule in eliminating HCFCs.

Facts of the report:

1. The report was jointly brought out by the Environment Ministry and UNDP during COP28.
2. According to the report India did better than expected in reducing harmful substances called HCFCs. They aimed to cut down by 35%, but they achieved a bigger reduction of 44% from the baseline in 2020.
3. Also, India completely stopped using a specific type of HCFC called 141b.
4. India is planning to stop using HCFCs in making new equipment entirely by December 2024, which is earlier than what the Montreal Protocol schedule requires by 2030.

What are HCFCs? Hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) are a class of man-made compounds that contain hydrogen, chlorine, fluorine, and carbon atoms. They were developed as substitutes for chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), which were found to be harmful to the ozone layer. HCFCs are employed as refrigerants in production of new equipment. HCFC 141b, is used as a blowing agent in production of rigid polyurethane foam.

About Montreal Protocol (1987)
1. An international treaty designed to protect the Earth's ozone layer.
2. It was implemented under the Vienna Convention (adopted in 1985)

3. To eliminate the production and use of Ozone Depleting Substances (ODS).

4. In 2016, countries agreed to the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol. This agreement is about reducing the use of Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs).

What is Ozone?

1. Stratospheric Ozone is found at 10-40 KM above Earth's surface, and protects Earth from UV radiation from the Sun.
2. The ozone layer shields living organisms from the harmful effects of excessive UV radiation, such as skin cancer, cataracts, and harm to plants and marine ecosystems.
3. Ozone in the stratosphere is ‘good ozone’ while Ozone formed in Troposphere is harmful and is called ‘bad ozone’.

What is ODS: Ozone Depleting Substances?

1. ODS are human-made chemicals containing chlorine and bromine like Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), HCFC, tetrachloride, etc.
2. Examples: chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), halons, carbon tetrachloride, and methyl chloroform.
3. It can break down ozone molecules in the stratosphere, leading to a thinning of the ozone layer.

Some efforts by India to address ozone depletion:

1. Phasing out of Hydrochlorofluorocarbons(HFC) in line with the Montreal Protocol.
2. India Cooling Action Plan (ICAP), which aims to use fewer substances in cooling, help with climate change, and achieve certain development goals. It's a part of India's goal to have no emissions by 2070.
3. Ozone Cell under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate change for dedicated efforts.