India and the US have decided to set up a joint task force to examine effective approaches to reduce use of climate-damaging chemicals known as hydrofluoro-carbons (HFCs) and encourage development and commercialisation of alternatives having low global warming potential.
The task force, decision on which was taken last week during an India-US workshop, is being established in recognition of the challenges faced by the current phase-out of Hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) under the 'Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer' (Montreal Protocol), an official announcement said here.
HFCs, adopted as alternatives to HCFCs and other ozone-depleting substances, have no ozone-depletion properties, yet they have high global warming properties.
The task force aims to develop options for reducing global HFC use.
US Deputy Assistant Secretary Daniel Reifsnyder and India's Joint Secretary (Climate) J M Mauskar will co-chair the task force, which will include representatives from both governments as well as industry and scientists and technical experts, the State Department said.
The options considered by the task force will send clear policy signals to discourage the use of HFCs and encourage the development and commercialisation of low global warming potential alternatives, the State Department said, adding the options will be designed to provide certainty to the business community about the future of applicable chemicals and technologies.
The task force is expected to issue a report in August to describe the status of HFC alternatives and examine policy aspects of various approaches that would support a global reduction in HFC use.
These include national, industry-to-industry and international options, such as bilateral approaches between the US and India and the use of existing international agreements.
For example, last year the United States, with its North American partners Canada and Mexico, introduced a proposal to amend the Montreal Protocol to reduce the use of HFCs.
The report also will inform a broader, regional meeting on HFCs and the 31st meeting of the open-ended working group of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol, which will be held in Bangkok from August 1-5, the statement said.