UNB, Dhaka :
Experts at a programme on Monday urged the government to ratify the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol urgently to ensure targeted phase down of harmful gases like Hydro fluorocarbon (HFC) and Hydro chlorofluorocarbons (HCFC) and start using natural gas like Hydrocarbons.
The climate specialists came up with the urge while addressing a stakeholders’ orientation workshop on ‘Ratification of Kigali Amendment’ organised by Bangladesh Center for Advanced Studies (BCAS) and Christian Aid at a city hotel.
Chlorofluorocarbons (CFC), Hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFC) and Hydrofluoro Carbons (HFC) are mainly used in refrigeration and foaming agents. CFCs are Ozone depleting agents (ODS), so HCFC were introduced which were still ODS but apparently a better option. So HFC was introduced saying they are Zero
ODS but have high global warming potential. Recently a study done by NASA has proved that even HFC are ODS but at a very small rate.
The Montreal Protocol and the Kigali Amendment is a multilateral agreement to protect the ozone layer and prevent excessive ultraviolet radiation from the sun by phasing out the production and consumption of ozone depleting substances like HCFC gases, said the experts.
While addressing the programme as the Chief Guest Quazi Sarwar Imtiaz Hasmi, Additional Director General (ADG), Department of Environment (DoE) said, the government is working to phase down the use of HCFC and HFC gases as well as providing technological training to the stakeholders and technicians in this regard.
In Bangladesh use of HFC, especially in air conditioning and refrigeration systems, has increased, he said adding that, using Hydrocarbon gas instead of HFC gases is more cost efficient and energy efficient as well as climate friendly.
Urging on more training on green cooling technology, the ADG said, joint initiative is needed with the association of private sector and business community for capacity building in this regard.
Many new manufacturers including Jamuna group, Singer and many others have already transferred or transferring their manufacturing technology to Hydrocarbon gas from HFC gases, he added.
Hydrocarbon is the ultimate future refrigerant as it has negligible ozone depletion potential and very low global warming potential, said Engineer Ashraful Amiba, Executive Director of Sourcing Engineer Department of Walton, the company which has already started using the natural gas in their production with the support of the protocol.
But the major challenge is safety, he said, adding, “A lot of safety measures are needed to be taken to use Hydrocarbon as it is more flammable than HFC.”
Golam Rabbani, BCAS fellow, in his presentation said, 40 countries have already ratified the Kigali Amendment, through gradual phasing down of HFC upto 0.5 degree Celsius of global warming could be avoided by the end of the century.
Experts at a programme on Monday urged the government to ratify the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol urgently to ensure targeted phase down of harmful gases like Hydro fluorocarbon (HFC) and Hydro chlorofluorocarbons (HCFC) and start using natural gas like Hydrocarbons.
The climate specialists came up with the urge while addressing a stakeholders’ orientation workshop on ‘Ratification of Kigali Amendment’ organised by Bangladesh Center for Advanced Studies (BCAS) and Christian Aid at a city hotel.
Chlorofluorocarbons (CFC), Hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFC) and Hydrofluoro Carbons (HFC) are mainly used in refrigeration and foaming agents. CFCs are Ozone depleting agents (ODS), so HCFC were introduced which were still ODS but apparently a better option. So HFC was introduced saying they are Zero
ODS but have high global warming potential. Recently a study done by NASA has proved that even HFC are ODS but at a very small rate.
The Montreal Protocol and the Kigali Amendment is a multilateral agreement to protect the ozone layer and prevent excessive ultraviolet radiation from the sun by phasing out the production and consumption of ozone depleting substances like HCFC gases, said the experts.
While addressing the programme as the Chief Guest Quazi Sarwar Imtiaz Hasmi, Additional Director General (ADG), Department of Environment (DoE) said, the government is working to phase down the use of HCFC and HFC gases as well as providing technological training to the stakeholders and technicians in this regard.
In Bangladesh use of HFC, especially in air conditioning and refrigeration systems, has increased, he said adding that, using Hydrocarbon gas instead of HFC gases is more cost efficient and energy efficient as well as climate friendly.
Urging on more training on green cooling technology, the ADG said, joint initiative is needed with the association of private sector and business community for capacity building in this regard.
Many new manufacturers including Jamuna group, Singer and many others have already transferred or transferring their manufacturing technology to Hydrocarbon gas from HFC gases, he added.
Hydrocarbon is the ultimate future refrigerant as it has negligible ozone depletion potential and very low global warming potential, said Engineer Ashraful Amiba, Executive Director of Sourcing Engineer Department of Walton, the company which has already started using the natural gas in their production with the support of the protocol.
But the major challenge is safety, he said, adding, “A lot of safety measures are needed to be taken to use Hydrocarbon as it is more flammable than HFC.”
Golam Rabbani, BCAS fellow, in his presentation said, 40 countries have already ratified the Kigali Amendment, through gradual phasing down of HFC upto 0.5 degree Celsius of global warming could be avoided by the end of the century.
