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Nexus is a line of hydrofluorocarbon-free appliances, Facebook.
Kigali, Rwanda, Oct. 15 — Nearly 200 countries reached an agreement Saturday on the phase-out of hydrofluorocarbon gases found in air conditioners, refrigeration devices, foams and aerosols, which have a strong impact on global warming.
The agreement, adopted in Kigali after a week of discussions and an all-night meeting, modifies the Montreal Protocol signed in 1987 to preserve the ozone layer, and can help prevent the earth from heating up by 0.5 degrees Celsius this century.
“It is not often you get a chance to have a 0.5-degree centigrade reduction by taking one single step together as countries,” said United States Secretary of State John Kerry following the adoption of the amendment.
According to the United Nations Environment Programme, this amendment is the greatest contribution made by the world to the climate summit agreements in Paris last year.
“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,” said UNEP chief Erik Solheim.
The use of HFC gases was implemented to avoid other gases from damaging the ozone layer, and now the agreement seeks to replace them owing to their strong impact on global warming.
HFCs are among the most harmful gases in the world and the largest contributor to the greenhouse effect.
In recent years there has been a significant growth in HFC emission due to increased refrigeration demands, especially in developing countries with a rapidly growing middle class and warm climates. EFE
