Environment Minister Thoriq Ibrahim said studies have shown that if the use of Hydrofluorocarbons (HFC) is limited to a desired amount, then the warming of the planet will decrease by 0.5 degrees celsius towards the end of this century.
He stated that lowering the planets temperature by 0.5°C is a good start to maintain global warming rate at 2°C. The Minister said that 197 countries agreed on the amendments brought to the Montreal Protocol last October in Kigali, Rwanda, and that the purpose was to further reduce substances such as HFC that cause harm to the ozone layer leading to climate change.
According to the treaty, developed countries must reduce HFC usage after the year 2019, and that developing countries must begin reductions between the years 2024 and 2028.
"HFC is a substance used in refrigeration systems. HFC remains in the atmosphere for a relatively small amount of time, but it has a huge impact on the climate. HFC is the fastest spreading substance that causes global warming," the Minister said.
The Minister said that great efforts are being undertaken to reduce the usage of HFC in the Maldives, and that the research which has begun to introduce district cooling in the Maldives is a noteworthy example.
The research shows that the district cooling system will save an HFC amount equivalent to 4,100 tonnes of carbon dioxide from being released into the atmosphere. It will also save an additional 426,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide from being released as well.
The Minister further said that an additional research which details the usage of HFC in Maldives and will make an inventory of which fields HFC is being used in the Maldives will be completed this year.
