Seizure of CFCs, Calcutta, 2004 Earth from space, 2002. © NASA

For over a decade EIA has led efforts to uncover and prevent the illegal trade in ozone-depleting substances (ODS). Our worldwide undercover investigations of the lucrative illegal trade in chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) – used as refrigerants and controlled under the 1987 Montreal Protocol treaty – have helped to close down much of this underground trade.

More recently, our investigations into the chemical trade have exposed an untapped opportunity in the battle against climate change: HCFCs (hydrochlorofluorocarbons) and HFCs (hydrofluorocarbons) are widely used commercial refrigerant gases that are many thousands of times more powerful at warming the atmosphere than equivalent amounts of carbon dioxide (CO2), the main greenhouse gas.

EIA was a key player in the September 2007 global agreement under the Montreal Protocol treaty to accelerate the global phase out of HCFCs – a move that could prevent the release of some 25 billion tons of carbon dioxide equivalent greenhouse gases. However, as HCFCs are phased out of developed countries EIA warns that history could repeat itself and an illegal trade in these chemicals could develop. EIA continues to probe the trade in ozone depleting substances as countries approach phase-out dates.

A potentially negative impact of the Montreal Protocol’s phase-out of CFCs and HCFCs is the widespread uptake of HFCs as alternatives. HFCs are ‘ozone-friendly’, but are powerful global warming gases. If left unchecked scientists predict that HFC emissions will reach over 1.2 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalence (over twice the UK’s annual greenhouse gas emissions) by 2015. It is therefore imperative that HFCs are quickly phased out and natural alternatives adopted by the air conditioning, refrigeration and foam blowing industries.
EIA is one of a small handful of organisations working to promote innovative solutions for reducing HFC emissions through both the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Montreal Protocol.

EIA campaigners work within both the ozone and climate treaties, playing a unique role in advocating practical solutions to enable both treaties to effectively address HFCs. So far our work has had a tremendous impact in raising awareness in political circles of the need to urgently phase out HFCs, but this battle is far from won.

Click here to read EIA's Facing the F-gas Challenge report

EIA’s pioneering work in the field of ozone layer and climate protection has received recognition and awards from many quarters, including the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency which, in 2007, honoured EIA with a ‘Best of the Best’ award in recognition of courage and heroism in tackling illegal trade in ODS and the exceptional contribution made to the Montreal Protocol. EIA was also awarded the United Nations Environment Program’s Global 500 Roll of Honour in recognition of outstanding practical achievements in the protection and improvement of the environment.

Click here to find out about our work on UK supermarket emissions of HFCs

Latest from the Global Environment Campaign:

15 Mar 10
MPs CALL FOR LEGISLATION TO TACKLE CLIMATE-DAMAGING SUPERMARKET REFRIGERATION

Press Release: 1 Feb 10
CHILLING FACTS: SUPERMARKET REFRIGERATION SCANDAL UNCOVERED

Press Release: 16 Dec 09
NGO community calls on Ministers to take action to eliminate one of six greenhouse gases

MORE GLOBAL ENVIRONMENT CAMPAIGN NEWS >>

Also see:

WHAT CAN I DO?
Global Environment Campaign actions

REPORTS & BRIEFINGS
Publication produced by EIA as part of the Global Environment Campaign

FURTHER INFORMATION
Background details and supplementary campaign information.