What is HCF-23?

a. Climate damaging hydrofluorocarbons

b. Potent greenhouse gas

c. Common refrigerant gas

d. Both a and b

e. None of the above

ANSWER: Both a and b

Explanation:

India on 13th Oct 2016 took the decision to eliminate the HCF-23 gas. The decision was made in line with the commitment to combat the threat emanating from climate damaging HFCs or hydrofluorocarbons

The announcement was made during a meeting of parties to the Montreal Protocol where final negotiations are taking place to lower the use of HFCs by 2030

HFC-23 gas is a potent greenhouse gas

It has a global warming potential of 14800

It is produced during the manufacture of a common refrigerant has HCFC-22

If vented out in the environment, it is a threat to the environment

HCFC stands for hydrochlorofluorocarbon

Companies have taken the decision to internalise the cost of the environmental externality and create sufficient storage facility to ensure downtime and lack of release of HFC-23 in the atmosphere

This move will check emissions of HFC-23 equivalent to 100 MT of CO2 over the next 15 years

The Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer was designed to reduce production and consumption of ozone depleting sustained to reduce their abundance in the environment and protect the fragile ozone layer of the earth

The original Montreal protocol was signed on Sept 16, 1987 and entered into force on Jan 1, 1989

The Montreal Protocol includes a unique adjustment provision enabling parties to protocol to respond quickly to the new scientific information and to adjust the reductions on chemicals covered by the Protocol

The adjustments are then automatically applicable to nations who ratified the protocol– it has been ratified by 197 parties