WASHINGTON, D.C. - Prime Minister Singh and President Obama met today at the White House to discuss a range of issues, including the elimination of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) -- super greenhouse gases that are thousands of times more potent than carbon dioxide. The two leaders agreed to convene the India-U.S. Task Force on HFCs and to use complementary multilateral initiatives, such as using the expertise and institutions of the Montreal Protocol to phase-down the production and consumption of HFCs.
In response to the agreement, Mark W. Roberts, Senior Counsel and International Policy Advisor for the Environmental Investigation Agency, issued the following statement.
“We are encouraged to see India joining the global momentum for phasing-down HFCs, and by agreeing to pursue complementary initiatives using multilateral forums, including the Montreal Protocol. The Montreal Protocol is the most appropriate forum for action on HFCs and we urge India to continue this dialogue with the United States and other countries.
“India has become an important trading and strategic partner of the United States. A commitment by India and the United States to address HFCs under the Montreal Protocol will create unique opportunities to address the climate problem and create substantial markets for alternatives in both countries. A phase- down of HFCs will create a significant opportunity for India’s industries to compete on the world’s stage and develop innovative ways to protect against climate change.”
The meeting follows a series of recent multilateral and bilateral announcements including the bilateral agreement between China and the United States, such as the BASIC statement, the G20 communique, and the BASIC statement and the bilateral agreement between China and the United states. All of the statements agree to use multilateral forums including the Montreal Protocol to phase-down HFCs. A phase-down of HFCs under the Montreal Protocol, could prevent 2.2 billion tonnes CO2e by 2020 and 100 billion tonnes CO2e by 2050.