Emissions
of hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs)
OD-3
Ozone
Depletion
Pressure
1 Indicator
definition and unit of measurement
Total
emissions of HCFCs (Montreal Protocol Annex C). Emissions of individual HCFCs
are multiplied by their Ozone Depletion Potentials
[20],
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
4: 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:
3
(77%)
Policy
Relevance:
3
(3.1)
Analytical
Soundness:
5
(2.5)
Responsiveness:
5
(2.7)
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 HCFCs. HCFCs
are alternatives to the fully halogenated CFCs.
Relevance:
The
stratospheric ozone depletion potential of HCFCs is roughly one-fifth of the
ozone depletion potential of CFCs. HCFCs are viewed as
“transitional” alternatives to CFCs as chlorine-free alternatives
are sought and being introduced. See also the methodology sheet for halons in
this section.
Linkages
to other pressure indicators:
The
indicator is linked to the indicators of other ozone depleting substances.
Furthermore, 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. Furthermore, greenhouse gases are
believed to affect stratospheric ozone depletion. These effects include both
positive and negative effects, depending on the compounds and mechanism.
Targets:
A
gradual phasing out of HCFCs, to be realised in 2030.
4 Methodological
description and underlying definitions
Underlying
definitions and concepts:
See
3. Relevance.
Measurement
methods:
Emissions
can be estimated based on the accounting of annual
net
consumption.
Limitations
of the indicator:
It
is difficult to estimate emissions of HCFCs.
Alternative
definitions:
Instead
of one aggregated indicator, various indicators could be included representing
the most important individual HCFCs.
[20] Ozone
Depletion Potentials:
CFC-11
= 1.0 (Reference)
HCFCs:
varying from 0.001 to 0.1
