Gist of The Hindu: January 2017
Cool the world (
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Reimagining BRICS (
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Deciding issues of personal law (
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Changing the course of the planet
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Reinventing old links
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Evacuating patients
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Personal laws and the Constitution
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Britain's Indian litmus test
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Stuck in the terrorism groove
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Making cities inclusive
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Dealing with the Maoists
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Running to stand still
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Situating law in the land
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Extending food security
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Still seriously hungry and poor
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Get serious about fighting TB
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Green farms and clean air
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On parallel tracks
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How to balance our gigs
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Brexit as an opportunity
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Looking for a humane solution
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Linking food and nutrition security
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The new colour of money
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Cool the world
Although it took seven years to come to fruition, the Kigali
agreement to amend the Montreal Protocol and substantially limit the emission of
hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) that contribute to global warming represents major
progress. The important role played by this group of chemicals, used in
refrigeration and air conditioning, is evident from the scientific estimate that
without a mitigation plan, HFCs could warm the world by an additional half a
degree Celsius by the end of the century. As with other such global compacts on
environmental matters, India pressed for a more lenient deadline at the Rwanda
negotiations. Ultimately, it agreed to start freezing HFC use in 2028, four
years later than its peer club countries China, Brazil and those in Africa, and
achieving maximum reduction by 2047, two years after they do. In welcome
contrast, however, India has ordered the manufacturers of HFC 23 - a by-product
of another chemical used in refrigerant gas manufacture and with a staggeringly
high contribution to global warming - to now capture and dispose of it at their
own cost. The decision is of particular significance, considering the expansion
of refrigeration and air conditioning in India with a rise in incomes, leading
to higher levels of HFC release into the atmosphere.
One of the questions before India in its implementation of
Montreal Protocol commitments is the need to align its goals for 'Make in India'
with green technologies in order to remain competitive in global markets.
Inducting alternatives to HFCs, such as hydrocarbons, ammonia and carbon
dioxide, in the relevant industries should happen sooner than anticipated and
possibly become even attractive as the cost of technologies falls. The
changeover is actually an opportunity to achieve a leapfrog effect. The
imperative, in any case, should be environmental. It is worth recalling that the
Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer adopted in 1985 (operationalised
later by the Montreal Protocol) followed a phase when major producers of
chlorofluorocarbons, the earlier generation of refrigerants, tried to discredit
the link between the chemicals and the developing problem of the ozone hole.
Persistent and credible science, however, swayed public and political opinion in
favour of a phase-out of CFCs. As with the Paris Agreement on climate change,
which is strengthened by the Kigali amendments, developing countries will
legitimately expect rich countries to aid them as they seek to acquire green
technologies for industrial use. Given the impact of global warming, countries
and people who have historically never been part of the problem should not have
to argue their case for liberal assistance.