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Global Climate Change Digest
A Guide to Information on Greenhouse Gases and Ozone Depletion
Published July 1988 through June 1999

FROM VOLUME 6, NUMBER 9, SEPTEMBER 1993

NEWS...
OZONE-DEPLETING SUBSTANCES

Item #d93sep115

EC advances HCFC phaseout. In June, the European Community Commission proposed a regulation that would phase out hydrochlorofluorocarbons by the year 2015, ahead of the 2030 deadline established last November by parties to the Montreal Protocol. The regulation would also exceed the Protocol by specifying a 25 percent reduction in the production and use of methyl bromide by 1996. For reactions to the proposal and impacts on industry see Intl. Environ. Rptr. (p. 428, June 16 1993), and Global Environ. Change Rep. (p. 3, June 11 and p. 7, June 24 1993).

Item #d93sep116

Halon exemptions. A panel established under the Montreal Protocol has recommended that no uses of halons be exempt from the 1994 phaseout schedule established last November. Requests for exemptions are to be submitted to UNEP by parties to the Protocol by the end of September. The issue will be discussed at the next conference of parties to the Protocol, to be held in Bangkok in November. (See Intl. Environ. Rptr., p. 539, July 28 1993; Global Environ. Change Rep., p. 3, Aug. 27 1993).

Item #d93sep117

Methyl bromide substitute. Laboratory tests at Australia's Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO) show that carbonyl sulfide, a naturally-occurring gas, would be an effective fumigant for soil and grain, but would have no measurable effect on stratospheric ozone or climate. Methyl bromide has not been subject to phaseout under the Montreal Protocol because it is widely used as a fumigant and no substitute has been available. (See New Scientist, p. 10, July 31 1993).