Emissions of superpowered greenhouse gases to be cut – Aftenposten

the Breakthrough came early Saturday morning after representatives of almost all the world’s countries had negotiated all night in the Rwandan capital Kigali.

– This is a big step forward, said U.s. secretary of state John Kerry, who himself has participated in the negotiations and attempted to push forward an ambitious agreement.

the Countries have been gathered in Rwanda to take the first major climate policy decision since the Paris summit of last year. Several of the participants at the meeting in Kigali believes that the countries now have shown that they can live up to their commitments.

– This is a clear message from all the world’s leaders that the green change that began in Paris, is irreversible and unstoppable, ” says Erik Solheim, chair of the united nations environment programme (UNEP).

– Very clear signal

Helgesen has represented Norway in the negotiations and believes the agreement in Kigali is one of the most important climate agreements.

– This is probably the enkeltavtalen that will lead to the greatest cuts in greenhouse gas emissions ever, he says to NTB.

Estimates indicate that the HFCS-gases could have raised the temperature of the globe is 0.5 degrees by the end of this century if nothing had been done to restrict its use.

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the Agreement sends a very clear signal that HFCS should away. When will other technological solutions is inevitable, ” says Helgesen.

Hydrofluorkarboner (HFCS) used in air conditioning plants, refrigerators and freezers. Some of the HFCS-gases have an effect on the climate that is several thousand times stronger than CO2.

India get deferment

While the effect per tonne of gas is very high, the total emissions of HFCS far less than emissions of CO2.

In addition, the lifetime in the atmosphere much shorter. It means that emission cuts quickly can help limit global warming.

according to The Kigali agreement to the process to reduce the use of HFCS beginning in the rich countries in 2019. A wide range of developing countries more time to adjust and to begin the cuts in 2024.

India, Pakistan and a few countries in the middle East received the acceptance that they can wait until 2028 before they start the transition.

the environmental organization Greenpeace believe the use of the gases should have been stepped down faster. The agreement is nevertheless an important step forward, ” states the organization.

ozone layer

Helgesen think the decision in Rwanda will put in the time and technology development that will lead to that the HFCS-gases are being phased out faster than the agreement strictly requires.

– the Signals are so strong, that it becomes obvious to all that HFCS is not the future.

In the cooling system it is possible to replace HFCS with other types of gases. Economic and political it is therefore easier to phase out HFCS than to cut the massive emissions of CO2 from electricity production and transport.

HFCS-gases was taken in use as replacements for gases that destroy the ozone layer. As the use of air conditioning has increased sharply in developing countries, HFCS-harmful effects of the contribution to global warming has become a significant problem.

the Agreement, which was concluded in Rwanda, is formally an addition to the Montreal agreement, which regulates the use of gases that damage the ozone layer. In contrast to Parisavtalen is consensus in Rwanda international rights binding. (©NTB)

This gas saved the ozone layer. Now it can be a dangerous klimatrussel.