UN Montreal Protocol event

The United Nations 34th Montreal Protocol Open Ended Working Group (OEWG) meeting was held on July 11-17, 2014 in Paris to discuss global efforts to phase down emissions of ozone depleting substances. This meeting took place against the background of diverse countries taking strong action against phasing down the emission of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) used for refrigeration and air conditioning. The US along with Micronesia has put out proposal to amend the Montreal Protocol to phase down emissions of HFCs. However, India has opposed this amendment in Paris. Earlier, a decision by the Indian environment, forests and climate change secretary to not send the top-level negotiating team for this meeting in Paris, has sent the Indian refrigeration industry rushing to the national capital to protect its interests. The decisions taken at the OEWG meeting could cost the Indian industry significantly.