It is also important to consider over what time period the benefits and costs should be measured. The expert calculations of this Environment Canada study conclude that the benefits of stratospheric ozone protection far exceed the costs. But we should not forget that it was only a few years ago that many were concerned that substitutes would not be available, would cost too much, or be more dangerous. When industry accepted the scientific basis behind the need to phase-out CFCs, it quickly and effectively responded to the challenges of finding and shifting to alternatives. The personal and corporate leadership of those initiating this change in thinking made all the difference.
Japanese industry is very proud of their role in minimizing the cost of protecting the ozone layer.
Our companies have participated in the Montreal Protocol Technology and Economic Assessment Panel, joined global projects to cooperatively develop new technology like to-clean soldering, and have sponsored the most important environmental leadership projects including the Thailand Leadership Initiative and the Vietnam Pledge. The Thailand Leadership Initiative solicited commitment of multinational companies to halt their use of ozone-depleting substances within one year of their domestic schedule. The Vietnam Pledge by more than forty multinational companies from seven countries was to invest only in modern, environmentally acceptable technology in their Vietnam projects. Through these leadership efforts, Japanese companies have helped accomplish a market transformation where alternatives to ODSs are cost-effective and demanded by customers. All rights reserved.