Montreal Protocol

Success Stories & Updates

Drusilla Hufford, Director

Stratospheric Protection Division

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

MACS Annual Convention

Orlando, FL 

January 29, 2011
Scope

• Goals for today’s meeting:

– Highlight successes of ozone layer protection 

– Identify opportunities for environmental protection

– Provide updates on MVAC policy 

– Engage in dialogue

• Topics:

– Updates on Montreal Protocol

• North American Proposal to address HFCs 

– Latest on EPA’s Rules on MVACs

– California’s MVAC initiative on climate 

– Exciting opportunities for MVAC service
Our Ozone Layer

Although reversing damage on Earth’s protective shield is not a quick fix, over 

20+ years, the global community has collaborated to heal our ozone layer

Ozone hole over Antarctica in 

September 2010

Source: NASA

Ozone hole over Antarctica in 

September 1987
4

Montreal Protocol has 

slowed and reversed

accumulation of ozone 

depleting substances in 

stratosphere

By 2165, actions to 

protect ozone layer will 

prevent millions of U.S. 

skin cancer deaths

UNEP/WMO Ozone Assessment, 2006

(“Effective stratospheric chlorine” is weighted sum of 

chlorine and bromine gases in stratosphere.)

Turning Off Production & Improving 

Public Health

Now... Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs)

MVAC 

refrigerants 

currently used 

have high 

global warming 

potential (GWP)
Relationship Between ODS and 

Other Greenhouse Gases

Ozone Depleting Substances

(Halogen Gases)

Greenhouse 

Gases

CFCs

Halons HFCs

HCFCs

HFC-23

HFC-134a

HFC-125

CO2

CH4

SF6

PFCs

N2O

CFC-113

CFC-12

CFC-11

H-1211

H-1301

Carbon Tetrachloride

(CCl4)

Methyl Chloride

(CH3Cl)

Methyl Bromide

(CH3Br)

Methyl Chloroform

(CH3CCl3)
Some ODS & HFCs = High GWP

PNAS 2009, Velders, et al
2010 Trilateral Amendment Proposal

• Canada, Mexico & United States 

Proposed Addressing HFC Production 

and Consumption

–Phasedown, not Phaseout of HFCs 

• Phases Down to 15% of Baseline, GWPweighted

– Covers 20 HFCs, including 2 known as HFOs

– Limits By-Product Emissions of HFC-23

– Leaves UNFCCC Obligations Unchanged

• Supports Global Efforts to Reduce GHGs
Substantial Climate Benefits Possible

• Global Trilateral Proposal cumulative benefits:

– ~3,000 MMTCO2eq* through 2020

• Non-Article 5 Parties = 3,000 MMTCO2eq 

• Article 5 Parties = 150 MMTCO2eq 

– ~88,000 MMTCO2eq through 2050

• Non-Article 5 Parties = 43,000 MMTCO2eq 

• Article 5 Parties = 45,000 MMTCO2eq 

• EPA’s Analysis of HFC Production and Consumption Controls:

www.epa.gov/ozone/downloads/Analysis_of_HFC_Production_and_Consu

mption_Controls.pdf

*MtCO2eq 
Moving toward low-GWPs?

Additional 

substitutes under 

development

 Global acceptance 

for alternatives 

strengthening

Potential to skip 

higher-GWP HFC 

alternatives, go 

directly to lower 

GWP alternatives
Current Events

• HFO-1234yf SNAP final rule with OMB

• PMN review (SNUR) complete

• NRDC petition for HFC-134a

• Future of EPA/MAC partnership 
Questions?

• Thank You

• Any Questions?

• For More Information, Visit:

– U.S. EPA’s Website on Ozone Layer Depletion:

• www.epa.gov/ozone/strathome.html

– Information and Analysis of Amendment Proposal

• www.epa.gov/ozone/intpol/mpagreement.html