41 Nations Join Island Effort for Fast Phase-out of Super Greenhouse Gases

PORT GHALIB, Egypt, Nov. 9 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Yesterday, two small
islands fighting rising seas and growing storm surges driven by climate change
were joined by a growing army of nations to support their battle to phase down
super greenhouse gases. The weapon of choice for the Federated States of
Micronesia and Mauritius is the Montreal Protocol ozone treaty. Their target
is a group of super greenhouse gases known as hydrofluorocarbons, or HFCs.

The support from the coalition of countries came in the form of an official
declaration of intent to phase down HFCs. If not controlled, these gases
could equal 45% of CO2 emissions by 2050. The declaration was issued by the
41 countries at the conclusion of the annual meeting of the ozone treaty
today.

"The declaration provides a clear signal to the world that the super
greenhouse gases we are targeting will soon be gone," said Antonio Oposa Jr.,
delegate from the Federated States of Micronesia.

The 41 countries that issued the declaration calling for action to phase down
HFCs found further support from the 27 members of the European Union in a
statement from the floor at the close of the international meeting. Japan and
Australia also added statements of support from the floor in their closing
remarks.

The Montreal Protocol Parties also took a formal decision to expand programs
for destroying chemical stockpiles of ozone depleting substances that damage
the ozone layer and are "super" greenhouse gases that contribute significantly
to climate change. This decision could lead to climate mitigation equivalent
to the amount of CO2 targeted under the first phase of the Kyoto Protocol
climate treaty, which runs from 2008 to 20012.

"Fast HFC cuts can prevent a decade of warming and reduce the equivalent up to
100 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide," said Durwood Zaelke, President of the
Institute for Governance & Sustainable Development, an expert on international
law. "The question now is whether the rest of the world will move fast
enough." Zaelke attended the treaty negotiations in Port Ghalib to present
evidence on the harm HFCs are causing. He spoke at an official event on The
Role of the Military in the Montreal Protocol organized by the United Nations
Environment Programme.

"The Montreal Protocol is the best climate treaty to date, and has already
delayed climate change by up to 12 years by reducing climate emissions by a
net of 135 billion tonnes of CO2-equivalent," Zaelke explained to the group of
generals and other senior military officials.

Micronesia and Mauritius launched their initiative against HFCs in April when
they called on the ozone treaty to phase down these greenhouse gases. The
United States, Mexico, and Canada followed with a similar proposal.

"Phasing out these super greenhouse gases would have immediate benefits for
climate and entirely eliminate one of the six greenhouse gases responsible for
global warming," said Mark W. Roberts of the Environmental Investigation
Agency (EIA) from Port Ghalib.

Used primarily in refrigeration and air conditioning, HFCs are known as
'super' greenhouse gases because the combined effect of their soaring use and
high-global warming potential (GWP) threatens to cancel the benefits expected
from reduction of other greenhouse gases.

"Despite the fact that it is already regarded as the most effective
environmental accord in history, this week's efforts illuminate the
possibility that the Montreal Protocol's best work lies in its future rather
than in the past," added Roberts.

The Montreal Protocol's historic success in controlling and eliminating
ozone-depleting substances means that it already has the infrastructure and
experience necessary to phase down HFCs quickly and effectively.

Other Parties to the Montreal Protocol said that they are looking to the
climate negotiations in Copenhagen next month for further support for a fast
HFC phase down. The two treaties would address different aspects of HFCs.
The Kyoto Protocol addresses downstream emissions of HFCs. The Montreal
Protocol would phase down the upstream production and consumption of HFC.

Sam LaBudde of EIA added, "The Montreal Protocol has already phased out nearly
100 other gases that harm the ozone layer and warm the climate. The treaty's
compliance record is enviable. The past phase outs have cut production and
consumption by of the targeted chemicals by 97%."

For more information contact:

Fionnuala Walravens, Environmental Investigation Agency +44-7939-035481
Alex Viets, Institute for Governance & Sustainable Development
+1-213-321-0911, aviets@igsd.org

SOURCE Environmental Investigation Agency

Fionnuala Walravens of the Environmental Investigation Agency +44-7939-035481;
or Alex Viets of the Institute for Governance & Sustainable Development
+1-213-321-0911, aviets@igsd.org