India-US task force for reducing gases causing global warming

The decision to set up the task force was taken at a Joint Indo-US workshop on HydroFluoroCarbons (HFCs) attended by Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh and US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Environment Daniel A Reifsnyder.

"At the conclusion of the meeting it was decided to establish a Joint Indo-US Technical Task Force comprising industry representatives, scientists, and government officials to suggest options for HFC phase-down," the Environment Ministry said in a statement.
"The Joint Task Force will submit its report latest by August 1, 2011," it said.
Speaking at the workshop, Ramesh said, "India recognises that while HFCs, a substitute for CFCs and HCFCs, are a 'solution' from an ozone depletion perspective, they are a 'problem' from climate change perspective, since they have high global warming potential."

HFCs are a substitute for ozone depleting gases chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs).

"India recognises the importance of addressing this problem," Ramesh said and mooted a four-level approach to tackle the problem.

"First, action at the multilateral level, through for example, new or modified international treaties and multilateral funds. Second, action at the bilateral level, through for example, workshops such as the one being undertaken today," the Minister said.

"Third, action at the national level, through autonomous actions, for example, national-level regulations and incentives, much like India is already doing as part of its energy efficiency agenda through the Bureau of Energy Efficiency.

"And fourth, action at the industry to industry level, where there are enormous opportunities for technology development and cooperation, with US companies in particular," Ramesh said.

Speaking on the occasion, Reifsnyder noted the need for the transition out of HFCs, and emphasised that an early transition would help avoid high costs.

He said that the US was advocating a "phase-down", and not a "phase-out" of HFCs.Reifsnyder also stressed on the need to think in multi-dimensional ways to address the problem caused by HFCs, such as considering an amendment to the Montreal Protocol which would allow HFCs consumption and production to be treated under it, while leaving the accounting of HFCs under the Kyoto Protocol of the UNFCCC.
Ramesh said India could well emerge as a technology supplier in this field, through indigenous development and joint ventures, especially as the bulk of the incremental market will be in the country.

Noting that the current discourse is focused primarily on the first of the four levels he described, he said, "there is a need to think more broadly."

"With international financing and technology support, there is no reason why India should not lead in the phase-down of HFCs," he said.Stating that India has been a responsible participant in the Montreal Protocol, which is the world's most successful international environmental agreement, Ramesh added, India made the transitions out CFCs, an ozone depleting gas, by August 2008, 17 months in advance of its commitment.
"India has already unveiled a roadmap to phase out HCFCs, another ozone depleting gas, by 2030," he said.