Summary: North American 2015 HFC Submission to the Montreal Protocol
The North American proposal includes a number of changes intended to address concerns raised in
discussions in 2014, and is intended as a starting point for discussions on an amendment to the Montreal
Protocol on hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), which are being used predominantly as replacements for ozone-
depleting substances being phased out under the Protocol. We welcome further ideas and robust
discussion on the key elements of an amendment identified below.
Key elements of the North American proposal
•	Lists 19 HFCs as a new Annex F.
•	Recognizes that there may not be alternatives for all HFC applications today and therefore proposes a
gradual phasedown with a plateau, as opposed to a phaseout.
•	Proposes separate provisions for non-Article 5 and Article 5 phasedown of production and consumption
(see figure below) on a global warming potential (GWP)-weighted basis.
o The baseline for Article 5 countries is calculated as 100% of average HFC consumption and
production and 50% of average HCFC consumption and production from 2011-2013.
o For non-Article 5 countries, the baseline is calculated as 100% of average HFC consumption and
production and 75% of average HCFC consumption and production from 2011-2013.
•	Includes provisions to limit HFC-23 byproduct emissions.
Proposed HFC Reduction Steps for Article 5 and Non-Article 5 Countries (% of baseline)
HFC Reduction Steps for Article 5 and Non-Article 5 Countries
(% of Baseline)
100%
90%
80%
? 70%
$ 60%
CO
*5 50%
f 40%
ro
u 30%
20%
10%
0%
2015 2020 2025 2030 2035 2040 2045 2050
^^~Non-A5 Parties Steps
^^~A5 Parties steps

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•	Requires licensing of HFC imports and exports, and import and export controls for non-Parties.
•	Requires reporting on HFC production, consumption, and byproduct emissions.
•	The Multilateral Fund will provide support to Article 5 Parties to implement an amendment
Potential Steps for Non-A5 Parties
Potential Steps for A5 Parties
2019
90%
2021
100%
2024
65%
2026
80%
2030
30%
2032
40%
2036
15%
2046
15%
Because we have heard the concerns of some countries about the availability of alternatives, we propose
including a technology review provision that would call for Parties to review progress at a specified future
date in the deployment of climate-friendly alternatives as the basis to consider adjustments to the
phasedown schedules.
Cumulative Environmental Benefits
•	Cumulative benefits of the from an HFC phasedown estimated by the U.S. Government are between
77,400 - 98,900 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (MMTC02eq) through 2050, and about
101,800 - 128,400 MMTC02eq for 40 years after the effective date of the proposal.
•	Cumulative benefits from HFC-23 byproduct emissions controls as estimated by the U.S. Government
amount to an additional 12,600 MMTC02eq through 2050 and about 16,200 MMTC02eq for 40 years
after the effective date of the proposal.
Cumulative Consumption Benefits Range through 2050 (MMTCO2 eq)
World Total
77,400 - 98,900
Byproduct Emissions Benefits
12,600
2015 Proposal Total
90,000-111,500
Cumulative Consumption 40-Year Benefits Range (MMTCO2 eq)
World Total
101,800 -128,400
Byproduct Emissions Benefits
16,200
2015 Proposal Total
118,000 -144,600
Relationship to HCFC phaseout
•	The proposal recognizes that HFCs are alternatives in some existing HCFC applications, so baseline levels
are set to accommodate some level of transition from HCFCs to HFCs.
•	The proposed schedule is intended to be compatible with the current HCFC phaseout steps.
Relationship with the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)
•	The proposal is intended to support overall global efforts aimed at climate system protection.
•	The amendment could be complemented by a related decision by the UNFCCC confirming the Montreal
Protocol approach.
•	The proposal leaves unchanged the provisions of UNFCCC/Kyoto Protocol that govern HFC emissions.

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