Almost 200 Nations Work Out ‘Binding Deal’ on Greenhouse Gas Reduction

On Saturday, a legally binding deal by 197 nations to cut down greenhouse gasses was announced. It aims to lower down gasses used in refrigerators and air conditioners, a major step against climate change.

Two of the biggest economies in the world, the United States and China split countries into three groups. Each group will have to commit to meet different deadlines to reduce the use of hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) gasses. The said gas proved to be 10,000 times more fatal than carbon dioxide.

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said: “It’s a monumental step forward”. He left the discussion of the deal on Friday in Kigali the capital of Rwandan.

The agreement states that developed nations, including Europe and US, will start to reduce their use of the gasses by 10% cut in 20196. By 2036 the developed nations target as much as 85% reduction. At present, several first world nations already initiated in reducing the use of HFCs. The United Nations estimated that phasing out HFCs will cost billions of dollars.

Two groups of developing countries pledged to halt the use of HFCs by 2024 or 2028. Similarly, India, Iran, Iraq, Pakistan and the Gulf countries needed a longer time to reduce their use of the gas. This is due to the hot climate in the Middle East and a steadfast growth of middle classes. However, India feared the reduction of HFCs will impede its growing industries.

United Nations Environment Chief, Erik Solheim said, “Last year in Paris, we promised to keep the world safe from the worst effects of climate change. Today, we are following through on that promise”.

The Kigali deal legally binds 197 nations in an agreement to diligently fight climate change. The agreement is so extensive that it indicates specific timetables. It also contains treaties for the developed countries to help the developing countries in complying with the agreement.

Another reform for the climate change advocacy was passed last week. India, Canada, and the European Parliament ratified the 2015 Paris Agreement which forces other nations to lessen warming emissions sources.

Higher global temperature by year 2100

HFCs are the main factor for global warming, reducing the usage will eventually result in a cooler temperature. Scientists projected that without the Kigali deal there will be an increase in temperature of 0.5 degrees Celsius (0.9 Fahrenheit) by 2100.

In the past years, environmental groups advocate on cutting the usage of hazardous gasses like HFCs. The deal will limit the emission coming from at least 1.6 million air conditioning units to hit the market by 2050. This is due to the high demand in countries from Asia, Latin America, and Africa.

HFC replaced the use of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), which at that time is widely used in refrigeration and aerosols. The use of the HFC gas developed after the talks on the 1987 Montreal Protocol. Both gasses caused the depletion of the ozone layer which protects the earth from ultraviolet rays linked to various skin diseases. The reduction will eventually lead to the discontinued use of hazardous gasses which is detrimental to the planet.

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