WASHINGTON, November 14, 2012 - Yesterday the World Bank approved a US$9.76 million grant from the Multilateral Fund for the Implementation of the Montreal Protocol to support Vietnam’s efforts in phasing-out Hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) - the ozone-depleting subtances with high global warming potential - between January 1, 2013 and January 1, 2015. This initiative builds on an existing program in addressing other ozone-depleting substances.
Designed to help Vietnam reduce its consumption of HCFCs in the polyurethane (PU) foam sector, the Vietnam HCFC Phase-out Project Stage I will ntroduce the most current technologies to phase out about 1,275 metric tons of HCFC-141b in 12 large foam production enterprises; and supports policies and regulations and technical assistance activities to curb HCFCs consumption.
HCFCs are ozone-depleting substances (ODS) with high global-warming potential and subject to consumption and production control measures of the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer. The Montreal Protocol requires gradual phase-out starting from 2013 and leading to a complete phase-out of HCFC consumption and production by 2030 for developing countries.
Vietnam consumes several types of HCFCs for various industrial applications, including HCFC-22 for refrigeration and air-conditioning manufacturing and for servicing existing equipment and appliances; HCFC-141b for foam production; and, HCFC-123 for servicing cooling equipment.
Phasing out HCFCs can present an excellent opportunity for synergies between ozone and climate protection as per Decision XIX/6 of the Montreal Protocol Parties, which asks that climate impacts be taken into account when phasing out HCFCs. The HCFC phase-out in Vietnam will be done in a manner that maximizes the climate co-benefits through the introduction of no to very low global warming potential alternatives. This is in line with Vietnam’s national policy on industrialization and modernization to meet the overall objective of continued economic growth and sustainable development.
The World Bank is one of the implementing agencies for the Multilateral Fund for the Implementation of the Montreal Protocol, and has been engaged in ODS phase-out activities in Vietnam since early 2000s.
