13 Nov 2010
SUPPORT for curbs on the production and consumption of HFCs gained momentum at this week's Montreal Protocol meeting in Bangkok. While, as expected, no decision was taken on the future of these refrigerants, 91 countries signed a declaration of support for what has popularly been dubbed a phase-down. This was a significant increase on last year's meeting when only 41 countries showed support for the idea. However, three of the most influential developing countries - China, India and Brazil - argued for further discussions of the amendments proposed by the USA, Mexico, Canada and the Federated States of Micronesia.