The 19th session of conference of the parties to the UNFCCC urged to take note

Negotiators from more than 190 countries are meeting in Warsaw, Poland, for the 19th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (C0P19), against the backdrop of multiple warnings from the scientific community that the planet’s climate system is on the brink. Disseminating this information through a media briefing, the London- and Washington-based Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA) informed that among the issues up for discussion at the conference being held from November 11 to 22 will be proposals to institute a global phase-down of the production and consumption of the family of chemicals known as hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) under the Montreal Protocol, a quick, effective and relatively straightforward initiative, which would mitigate at least 100 billion tonnes (100 gigatonnes) of CO2-equivalent by 2050.

According to EIA, HFC emissions are the fastest growing source of greenhouse gas emissions worldwide, and are predicted to spiral to 5.5-8.8 gigatonnes of CO2-equivalent by 2050 – equivalent to nine to 19% of global CO2 emissions under a business-as-usual scenario.

EIA said that its argument is that swift, effective and large reductions in greenhouse gases must start now. In light of this, campaigners from EIA are reportedly in Warsaw to call on countries to support the consumption and production phase-down of HFCs under the Montreal Protocol with accounting of emissions remaining under the UNFCCC.