India to Phase Out Ozone-Depleting HCFCs By 2030

By RAKESH SHARMA
NEW DELHI -- India will phase out hydrochlorofluorocarbons, chemicals widely used in refrigeration and air-conditioning, by 2030 under the Montreal Protocol, a treaty to protect the ozone layer, the environment minister said Tuesday.
"We are going to freeze the use of HCFCs at 2009 levels by 2013. We are going to mitigate the use of HCFC by 10% by 2015 as compared to 2009 levels and bring it to zero by 2030," Jairam Ramesh said, unveiling India's roadmap to phase out the chemicals.
HCFC consumption has grown at an average annual rate of over 11% in the past 15 years, boosted by sustained growth in demand for consumer, commercial and industrial products.
Since 2001, consumption of HCFCs in India has more than tripled and the trend is expected to continue, the minister said.
The phase out of HCFCs is challenging for an emerging economy such as India due to issues related with technology and funding to facilitate the transition without burdening the economy and constraining consumers and industry.
"This roadmap is a giant leap in the dark. It is a huge act of faith because we don't know what technology is going to replace HCFCs...We don't know where funding is going to come from," Mr. Ramesh said.
India should develop its own technology rather than relying on other countries, Mr. Ramesh added.
Write to Rakesh Sharma at rakesh.sharma@dowjones.com