Dealing with HFCs under the Montreal protocol while introducing low-GWP alternatives.

This paper first presents specific issues that have been dealt with in Montreal Protocol HFC discussions. It briefly describes the essential elements of the amendment proposals for controlling HFC demand, such as baseline and phase-down control steps. It also summarizes the essential elements of Task Force studies as done under the Technology and Economic Assessment Panel (TEAP) during the period 2012-2015, with an emphasis on the development and commercialization of low-GWP alternatives for the various R/AC subsectors. The issue is that availability of low-GWP alternatives would enable a full discussion on HFC control
schedules. An interesting analysis is how low-GWP alternatives have entered the market without that concrete schedules were in place, but by the mere expectation that certain conversions would have to happen. What will be decided on HFCs under the Montreal Protocol up to October 2016 will be after that the GL 2016 has taken place.