Some 200 countries agree to reduce the use of greenhouse gases, the hydroflurocarbon gases (HFCs). It is these gases which play a major role in global warming. And it is these gases which are extensively used in our day to day use of airconditioners, refrigerators, shaving foams etc. On Saturday in a meeting in Rwanda the amendment to the Montreal Protocol was accepted that will see richer countries cut back their HFC use from 2019. A schedule has been made for different countries from when this has to be put in force.
India has a schedule which is far off - by 2047 it has to cut HFCs by 85% of what it will use between 2024-26.
Between 2020 and 2050 it is estimated that this agreement will be able to avert 70 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide which is like putting 500 million cars off the road. If there is complete elimination of HFCs by 2050 it is estimated to prevent half a degree celsius rise in global temperature.
