ATOC4088/5000: Policy implications of climate/critical issues in climate and the environment University of Colorado Boulder Boulder, CO 5 March 2015
The role of the Montreal Protocol in protecting present and future climate: A scientific perspective by Dr. David W. Fahey, Director Chemical Sciences Division Earth System Research Laboratory National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Boulder, Colorado USA
Outline • Ozone basics • The Montreal Protocol and dual benefits • HFCs and projected future emissions • The future Montreal Protocol • Climate Change Building • Summary remarks
Protection from ultraviolet light from the ozone layer. • The ozone layer resides in the stratosphere and surrounds the entire Earth. • UV-B radiation (280- to 315nanometer (nm) wavelength) from the Sun is strongly absorbed in this layer. • UV-A (315- to 400-nm wavelength), visible light, and other solar radiation are not strongly absorbed by the ozone layer. • Human exposure to UV-B radiation increases the risks of skin cancer, cataracts, and a suppressed immune system. UV-B radiation exposure can also damage terrestrial plant life, single-cell organisms, and aquatic ecosystems.
UNEP, 2010
The Ozone Layer
Good ozone
Bad ozone
The stratospheric ozone is good ozone and excess ozone in the troposphere is bad ozone. UNEP, 2010
Ozone concepts: Total ozone & the Dobson Unit (DU)
Total ozone = ozone vertical sum
Thought experiment: Ar + others
O2 + N2
O3
Stove pipe thought experiment: sort the atmosphere column into its different component gases
3??? mm = 0.12 in = 300 DU
Total ozone at a point on the globe is the amount of ozone from the surface to the top of the atmosphere. Ozone is a small fractional component of our atmosphere. UNEP, 2010
The Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer – 16 September 1987 The Parties to this Protocol, Being Parties to the Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer, Mindful of their obligation under that Convention to take appropriate measures to protect human health and the environment against adverse effects resulting or likely to result from human activities which modify or are likely to modify the ozone layer, Recognizing that world-wide emissions of certain substances can significantly deplete and otherwise modify the ozone layer in a manner that is likely to result in adverse effects on human health and the environment, Conscious of the potential climatic effects of emissions of these substances, …… Universal ratification in September 2009 by 197 members of the United Nations. The world’s most successful environmental treaty www.unep.org/OZONE/pdfs/Montreal-Protocol2000.pdf
17 September 2009
Antarctic Ozone Hole
Technical aspects of the Montreal Protocol The Montreal Protocol has imposed legally binding controls on the global consumption and production of ozone depleting substances (ODSs) and introduced short-term and long-term substitute gases. - chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) - halons - hydrochloroflurocarbons (HCFCs) - hydroflurocarbons (HFCs) ODS are used to meet application demand for refrigeration, air conditioning, insulating foams, fire suppression, and many other society needs. The Montreal Protocol addresses the technical, economic and social aspects of its regulations and distinguishes between the developed and developing world.
Ozone-depleting substances (ODSs) entering the stratosphere in 2008
Human uses of synthetic chemicals have significantly increased their abundance in the stratosphere. Most synthetic gases have no significant loss processes in the troposphere, i.e., very unreactive. UNEP, 2010
The Montreal Protocol & Amendments
Chlorine and bromine from ozone depleting substances (ODSs) destroys ozone. The Montreal Protocol has been very successful in reducing chlorine and bromine in the atmosphere.
Atmospheric chlorine and bromine
Strategy: Start and strengthen.
City names are locations of the meetings of the parties UNEP/WMO, 2010
(World avoided)
Montreal Protocol and scientific assessments Strategy: Start and strengthen.
UNEP United Nations Environment Programme WMO World Meteorological Organization
‘Vigilance’ is the new requirement
UNEP, 2010
Scientific assessments of ozone depletion have been an important component of the Montreal Protocol.
The dual benefit of the Montreal Protocol Metrics for ODSs and substitutes: ODP = ozone depletion potential increased ozone depletion CFC-11 = 1 GWP = global warming potential increased climate warming CO2 = 1 ODP
GWP
High ODP
Low ODP
Zero ODP
CFCs & halons
HCFCs
HFCs
High GWP
GWP ??
By reducing the use and emissions of ozone depleting substances, the Montreal Protocol has provided to date the dual benefit of protecting ozone and climate.
Ozone-depletion potentials and global warming potentials for equal mass emissions Ozone-depleting substances
(1)
Chlorine-containing gases
CFC-11
CFC-11 = 1
CO2 = 1
CFC-113 CFC-12 Carbon tetrachloride HCFC-22
(0.05)
Halon-1301
Bromine-containing gases
Substitute gases
(0)
0
Methyl bromide
HFC-143a
(0)
HFC-125
(0)
HFC-134a
(0)
HFC-152a
(0)
HFC-1234yf
5 10 15 Ozone depletion potential (ODP) Increasing ozone depletion
UNEP/WMO, 2010
(5)
HFC-23
Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs)
(0)
Halon-1211
20
(133) (4)
0
4000 8000 12000 16000 Global warming potential (GWP, 100-yr) Increasing surface warming
ODSs contribute to both ozone depletion & climate change. HFCs contribute to climate change.
Demonstrating the dual benefit of the Montreal Protocol in protecting ozone and climate Emissions weighted by global-warming potentials (GWPs)
Emissions
6
4
2
0 1960
Montreal Protocol
Ozone layer protection
1980
2000
Year
2020 0
(Gigatonnes CO2-equivalent per year)
(Megatonnes CFC-11-equivalent per year)
Emissions
Emissions weighted by ozone-depletion potentials (ODPs) 40
Kyoto Protocol 2.0 reduction target for 2008 – 2012
30
20
10
0 1960
Montreal Protocol
Climate protection
1980
2000
Year
By 2010, the Montreal Protocol has avoided substantial ozone depletion and achieved 5-6 times Kyoto Protocol target in 2008-2012. Velders et al., 2007; UNEP/WMO, 2010
2020
The World Avoided
Bill Schorr, Kansas City Star, 1988
Andersen and Sarma, 2002
Recent changes in the Montreal Protocol Phaseout accelerated in 2007 CFCs & halons
HCFCs
HFCs
High ODP
Low ODP
Zero ODP
In 2007, based on the documented success in reducing ODSs, the Montreal Protocol accelerated the phase out of HCFCs by 10 years (from 2040 to 2030) for developing nations. The 2007 Adjustment that accelerated the HCFC phaseout is the first, global, legally binding, fully funded action specifically to protect climate. Ultimately, maintaining the climate benefit depends on choosing HFC substitutes that have low-GWPs.
Annual Montreal Protocol Meeting, 2008, Doha, Qatar
The demand for synthetic gases is still high and growing
Residential Air conditioning
Refrigeration
Insulating foams
Automobile Air conditioning The expected growth in the developing world is large
The future: Avoiding the large projected growth in HFC use HFC consumption
Developing countries
HFCs will be the primary choice for future applications of refrigeration, air conditioning, and foams. Scenarios based on GDP and population growth projections. Scenario assumes HCFC phaseout schedule and business-as-usual replacement schedule from developed nations.
Developed countries
Velders et al., PNAS (2009)
HFC emissions in developing countries up to 800% greater than in developed countries in 2050.
The future: Avoiding the large projected growth in HFC use
Velders et al., PNAS (2009)
The future: Avoiding the large projected growth in HFC use
Velders et al., PNAS (2009)
The future: Avoiding the large projected growth in HFC use The Past
The Present
CFCs & halons
HCFCs
The Future
X
HFCs (high GWP)
HFCs (low GWP)
Alternatives Political response:
(zero GWP)
CO2 and HC
Summary declaration from 108 parties of the Montreal Protocol in November 2010. ‘…to pursue further action under the Montreal Protocol aimed at transitioning the world to environmentally sound alternatives to HCFCs and CFCs.’ + proposals to amend the Montreal Protocol to include HFCs. http://www.unep.ch/ozone/highlights.shtml
The future: Avoiding the large projected growth in HFC use The Past
The Present
CFCs & halons
Climate HCFCs change
The Future HFCs
X Zero’ ‘Ground (high GWP)
HFC regulation under the Montreal Protocol could be the second, global, legally binding, fullyHFCs funded action (low GWP) specifically to protect climate Alternatives Political response:
(zero GWP)
CO2 and HC
Summary declaration from 108 parties of the Montreal Protocol in November 2010. ‘…to pursue further action under the Montreal Protocol aimed at transitioning the world to environmentally sound alternatives to HCFCs and CFCs.’ + proposals to amend the Montreal Protocol to include HFCs. http://www.unep.ch/ozone/highlights.shtml
Proposed Amendment of the Montreal Protocol to regulate HFCs (North American and Federated States of Micronesia Proposals: May 2010)
Developing nations
Strategy: Start and strengthen.
Developed nations
Proposal elements: Select 20 HFCs, gradual phasedown Report on production and consumption of HFCs, and HFC23 byproduct emissions Provide funding under the Montreal Protocols Multilateral Fund http://www.unep.ch/ozone/highlights.shtml
Depend on known alternative chemicals, new technologies, and improved process/handling practices to reduce HFC consumption. Leave unchanged the provisions of the UNFCCC / Kyoto Protocol that govern HFC emissions.
What is happening in industry (car makers) Since the 1990s all mobile air-conditioners use HFC-134a (GWP = 1370) In EU: mobile air-conditioning directive: - Refrigerant should have GWP < 150 - From 2011 for new type of vehicles (derogation until 12/2012) Alternatives available for HFC-134a: - HFC-1234yf (Drop-in replacement with GWP = 5) - CO2 promoted by German EPA (requires engine redesign)
Initiatives for global phase down of HFCs in 2013 Meeting of Chinese President Xi Jinping and US President Barack Obama at Rancho Mirage, California on 8 June 2013. Will work together and with other countries to use the expertise and institutions of the Montreal Protocol to phasedown the production and consumption of HFCs.
6 September 2013: G-20 leaders expanded the support for using the expertise and institutions of the Montreal Protocol to phase down the production and consumption of HFCs, while retaining HFCs within the scope of the UNFCCC and its Kyoto Protocol for accounting and reporting of emissions. This was agreed by the following countries: Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Korea, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Turkey, the United Kingdom, the United States, and the European Union, as well as Ethiopia, Spain, Senegal, Brunei, Kazakhstan, and Singapore. http://www.whitehouse.gov/
G20 Summit, St. Petersburg September 2013
http://www.diplomacy.edu/
http://www.diplomacy.edu/
Summary Remarks The Montreal Protocol regulations have had a dual benefit: protecting ozone and climate. Past: The Montreal Protocol ODS reductions have protected the ozone layer and also protected climate: 5 - 6 times the reduction target of the first commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol). Present: The Montreal Protocol accelerated the HCFC phaseout to further protect climate. Future: The Montreal Protocol regulations will lead to greatly increased HFC use. New proposed amendments would regulate HFC substitute gases and guide global refrigeration, AC, and foam applications use towards low-GWP alternatives. Grand challenge: The Montreal Protocol and Kyoto Protocol parties working together to minimize the climate impact in meeting the global application demand for synthetic gases in the developing world. Ongoing challenge: Identifying scientific contributions that provide the needed foundation for the climate change building.
References Velders, G., et al., The Montreal Protocol protection of climate, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 2007.
Velders, G., et al., The large contribution of projected HFC emissions to future climate forcing, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 2009. Twenty Questions and Answers about the Ozone Layer:
Fahey, D.W., and M. I. Hegglin, Twenty questions and answers about the ozone layer: 2010 Update, in the UNEP/WMO Scientific Assessment of Ozone Depletion: 2010 http://ozone.unep.org/Assessment_Panels/
Fahey, D., The Montreal Protocol protection of ozone and climate, Theoretical Inquires in Law, 2013.
2010 Update Scientific Assessment of Ozone Depletion: 2010
World Meteorological Organization European Commission United Nations Environment Programme National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Science has the first word on everything, but the last word on nothing." Victor Hugo
Thank you for your attention.
Backup slides
The ?????.
Present: The accelerated HCFC phaseout (Montreal Protocol September 2007) Advances phaseout by 10 years for developing nations. More for climate protection than ozone protection.
Max HCFCs
Climate protection from HCFC phaseout (12-15 GtCO2-eq) is significant wrt to Kyoto Protocol targets Ultimately, climate benefit depends on choice of substitutes, i.e., low ODP, low-GWP options
Velders et al., 2007
Amendment of the Montreal Protocol to regulate HFCs (North American and Federated States of Micronesia Proposals: May 2010)
• The suite of known alternative chemicals, new technologies, and improved process/handling practices can significantly reduce HFC consumption while simultaneously supporting the HCFC phaseout. Relationship with the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the Kyoto Protocol: • The proposal is intended to support overall global efforts aimed at climate system protection. • The proposal constitutes an amendment to the Montreal Protocol, and could be complemented by a related decision by the UNFCCC confirming the Montreal Protocol approach. • Leaves unchanged the provisions of the UNFCCC / Kyoto Protocol that govern HFC emissions. Parties could follow Montreal Protocol obligations to meet certain UNFCCC obligations. The proposal has not yet been adopted by the Montreal Protocol.
Global radiative forcing components in 2005
Halocarbons = 0.34 Wm-2 = 20% of total RF of 1.66 Wm-2. IPCC AR4 (2006)
Halogen source gases undergo conversion in the stratosphere
ODSs Ozone destruction
Halogen (Cl & Br) source gases undergo conversion in the stratosphere to more reactive forms
1995 Nobel Prize in Chemistry: Rowland, Molina, Crutzen