Philippines’ Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has called for a gradual reduction in the use of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), the Philippines Star reported last week.

On the 30th anniversary of the signing of the landmark ‘Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone’, Environment Secretary, Roy Cimatu has urged the refrigeration and air conditioning industry in the country to support the phase-down of HFCs, , the newspaper reported.

“HFCs are not ODS (ozone-depleting substances), but are potent GHGs, which can have high global warming potential and are rapidly increasing in the atmosphere,” Cimatu was quoted as saying.

“Without any mechanism to control HFCs, it is predicted that their emissions could negate the climate benefits achieved by the Montreal Protocol.”

Cimatu said the country could benefit from the financial and technical support provided under the Montreal Protocol.