Hydrofluorocarbons, Climate, and Health — Moving the Montreal Protocol beyond Ozone-Layer Recovery

Abstract

The Montreal Protocol has been rapidly responsive to evolving science and has sought to deliver its benefits to low-income countries. It has protected the ozone layer and climate by phasing down CFCs. It now has to repeat the trick, and with renewed urgency. HFC phasedown is projected to deliver 0.3 to 0.5 degrees of climate benefit by 2100. Synchronous improvements in energy efficiency of RAC equipment could at least double that benefit.5 Such a major near-term climate prize would enable more affordable cooling and would provide health and economic benefits to low-income countries — a “win–win–win.”

Topics & Concepts