HCFCs are a group of ozone-depleting substances (ODS) controlled under the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer. HCFCs were found to have a negative effect on the earth's stratospheric ozone layer which protects humans, animals and plants against the harmful ultraviolet-B (UV-B) rays of the sun.
HOW DO HCFCS HARM THE OZONE LAYER AND THE EARTH? The ozone layer is a thin, fragile shield that envelops the earth and acts like an umbrella that protects us from the sun's harmful ultraviolet-B radiation (UV-B). It is made up of ozone (O3) molecules and located in the upper atmosphere, 10 to 50 kilometres above the earth's surface. Ozone-depleting substances (ODS) destroy ozone molecules in the stratosphere, which causes ozone depletion - the thinning of the ozone layer. Because of this, more UV-B penetrates the earth.
In addition, like most ODS, HCFCs were also found to be powerful greenhouse gases (GHGs) which significantly contribute to the warming of the earth's atmosphere. Hence, the phase out of HCFCs will not only have a positive impact on ozone layer recovery but also on climate change mitigation.
PHASING OUT OF HCFC'S HCFC's (hydro chlorofluorocarbons) were the substances which replace the CFC's. Though the HCFC's are less damaging to Ozone Layer as compared to CFC's but the global use of these substances was so high that the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer in 2007 decided to the accelerate the phase-out of production and consumption of (HCFCs), thus calling for urgent action towards the phase-out of HCFCs.
Pakistan has already commenced a HCFC Phase-out Management Programme (HPMP) with the assistance of UNEP and UNIDO where the HCFC's are being replaced by natural substances friendly both to Ozone and Climate. The import of the HCFC's will also be controlled and regulated to ensure compliance with the articles of Montreal Protocol and for this purpose an import licensing and quota system will be instituted. The first target is to reduce the consumption of HCFC's by 10 percent by the year 2015.