Emissions
of bromofluorocarbons (halons)
OD-1
Ozone
Depletion
Pressure
1 Indicator
definition and unit of measurement
Total
emissions of halon 1301, halon 1211 and halon 2402 (Montreal Protocol Annex A,
Group II substances). Emissions of individual halons are multiplied by their
Ozone Depletion Potentials
[16],
and added together. The unit of measurement is therefore tonnes of total
emissions of CFC-11 per year (CFC-11 is reference).
2 Placement
in the framework
5EAP:
Chapter
5: The themes and targets of the programme, section 5.1: Climate change.
Agenda
21:
Chapter
9: Protection of the atmosphere.
International
conventions and agreements:
The
Montreal Protocol (1987) and its Amendments and Adjustments (London, 1990;
Copenhagen, 1992 and Vienna, 1995).
Council
Regulation (EC) N° 3093/94 of 15.12.94 on substances that deplete the
ozone layer (OJ N° L333, 22.12.94, p.1).
Ranking:
Core
ranking:
1
(100%)
Policy
Relevance:
1
(3.5)
Analytical
Soundness:
2
(3.2)
Responsiveness:
1
(3.1)
Most
appropriate related state indicator:
Changes
in concentrations of stratospheric ozone.
3 Significance
Purpose:
The
main purpose of this indicator is to monitor total emissions of
bromofluorocarbons (halons).
Relevance:
Halons
are among the most important ozone depleting substances. The breakdown of the
stratospheric ozone layer will lead to increased ultraviolet (UV-B) solar
radiation. It has been demonstrated that increased UV-B radiation is harmful to
human health. Impacts include a higher occurrence of skin cancer and adverse
effects on the human immune system. Further, ecosystems (both terrestrial and
aquatic) are also affected, and evidence exists that the climate system is
affected as well.
Linkages
to other pressure indicators:
The
indicator is linked to the indicators of other ozone depleting substances.
Further, the indicator is linked with those in the area of Climate Change.
Ozone is a greenhouse gas, and therefore changes in stratospheric ozone should
be considered in assessing climate change. Moreover, greenhouse gases are
believed to affect stratospheric ozone depletion. These effects include both
positive and negative effects, depending on the compounds and mechanism.
Targets:
Since
1. January 1994, industrialised countries have been obliged to completely
phase-out halons (zero production and consumption; with possible exemptions for
essential uses). However, in order to satisfy the basic domestic needs of
developing countries, production may exceed by up to 15% of its production
level in 1986.
4 Methodological
description and underlying definitions
Underlying
definitions and concepts:
Halons
are human made compounds, and almost exclusively used as fire extinguishing
agents. Good alternatives with smaller or no effects on the ozone layer are
available.
Measurement
methods:
Emissions
can be estimated based on the accounting of annual net consumption.
Limitations
of the indicator:
It
is very difficult to estimate total emissions of halons. Data on
“apparent consumption” is available.
Alternative
definitions:
A
number of indicators representing each individual compound instead of one
aggregated indicator.
[16]
Ozone
Depletion Potentials:
CFC-11
= 1.0 (Reference)
Halon-1301
= 10.0
Halon-1211
= 3.0
Halon-2402
= 6.0
