Montreal, 17 September
2007 – International efforts to safeguard
Earth's climate and protect the ozone layer
are mutually supportive, say the United
Nation's top climate change and environment
officials. Negotiations on the future direction
of the Montreal Protocol in protecting the
ozone layer, which start in Montreal today,
and the UN Climate Change Conference set
for Bali in December will shape further
climate action beyond 2012, when the first
phase of the Kyoto Protocol ends.
"The Montreal Protocol is successfully
assisting in the repair and recovery of
the ozone layer. The Kyoto Protocol is tackling
perhaps the greatest challenge of our generation
– climate change. However, what is also
emerging in 2007, and emerging with ever
greater clarity, is that both treaties are
mutually supportive across several key fronts,"
said Achim Steiner, Executive Director of
the United Nations Environment Programme.
The Kyoto Protocol's clean development
mechanism (CDM) has led to the destruction
of large volumes of the very potent greenhouse
gas HFC-23, a by-product of the production
of the coolant HCFC-22, and is currently
the only reliable mechanism available to
prevent emissions of this gas in the short
term, according to a new report by the Technology
and Economic Assessment Panel (TEAP) of
the Montreal Protocol to be released in
Montreal this week.
"The Kyoto Protocol's CDM is assisting
to destroy HFCs. Meanwhile, governments
here in Montreal look set to back an accelerated
freeze and phase-out of HCFCs, with important
benefits for the ozone layer and also for
climate change," Mr. Steiner added.
"This kind of cooperation underlines
the importance of the UN and its related
environmental agreements, demonstrating
in clear and concrete terms how, by combining
their strengths, they can more efficiently
and cost effectively realize the sustainability
goals of our time," said Mr. Steiner.
Parties to the Kyoto Protocol decided in
Montreal in 2005 that the CDM should not
lead to an increase in HCFC-22, a gas regulated
by the Montreal Protocol.
"The Parties to the Kyoto Protocol
have been guided by the dual objective of
safeguarding the climate and protecting
the ozone layer when shaping climate action.
This dual objective has also guided the
regulation applied to the generation of
CDM carbon market credits from the destruction
of HFC-23 in older refrigerant factories.
New plants and expanded production do not
qualify under the CDM," said Yvo de
Boer, Executive Secretary of the United
Nations Framework Convention on Climate
Change.
Parties to the Kyoto Protocol will consider
in Bali in December if and then how the
CDM could also provide incentives for the
destruction of HFC-23 in new plants, without
stimulating production of the refrigerant
HCFC-22, and will take the findings of the
TEAP report into account. "The worst
of all cases would be for HFC-23 emissions
to go unmitigated," according to the
TEAP report.
"Steps to accelerate the phase-out
of HCFCs under the Montreal Protocol would
make a significant contribution to the global
effort to address climate change. The potential
in this area is very encouraging and, when
combined with significant opportunities
to reduce emissions from other sectors,
such as energy, buildings and deforestation,
demonstrates that solutions to the climate
threat are available. The Bali conference
needs to put in motion a global campaign
to capture all of these opportunities and
the Montreal Protocol can continue to make
a contribution, building on its past successes,"said
Mr. de Boer.
About the UNFCCC
With 191 Parties, the United Nations Framework
Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) has
near universal membership. It is the parent
treaty of the 1997 Kyoto Protocol, which
has to date 175 member Parties. Under the
Protocol, 36 States, consisting of highly
industrialized countries and countries undergoing
transition to a market economy, have legally
binding greenhouse gas (GHG) emission limitation
and reduction commitments, while developing
countries have non-binding obligations to
limit emissions. The ultimate objective
of both treaties is to stabilize GHG concentrations
in the atmosphere at a level that will prevent
dangerous human interference with the climate
system.
About the CDM
There are currently more than 780 registered
CDM projects in 48 countries, and about
another 1320 projects in the project registration
pipeline. The CDM is expected to generate
more than 2.2 billion certified emission
reductions (tradable CERs) by the time the
first commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol
ends in 2012, each equivalent to one tonne
of carbon dioxide.
About UNEP
The United Nations Environment Programme
(UNEP) has been the voice for the environment
in the UN system since 1972. It is an advocate,
educator, catalyst and facilitator, promoting
the wise use of the planet's natural assets
for sustainable development. It also plays
a key role in a broad range of activities
and awareness campaigns related to climate
change, with many partners including national
governments, youth organizations, business,
industry and the media. UNEP's capacity-building
activities related to CDM include regional
awareness and information programmes in
Africa and Asia.
Note to journalists:
To arrange an interview or for more information
contact:
Nick Nuttall, Spokesperson
