China MEE to Incorporate HFCs Reduction Plan into National Program

On July 26, 2021, Liu Youbin, spokesperson for the Ministry of Ecology and Environment (hereinafter referred to as MEE), said at a regular press conference of the MEE that China will incorporate the HFCs reduction plan into the National Program for Phasing Out Ozone-depleting Substances (ODS)^[1] and establish and implement an import and export licensing system for HFCs. 

HFCs are synthetic, potent greenhouse gases, which are used as the coolant of choice after the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer^[2] banned ODS used in refrigeration and air conditioning sectors. China currently produces around 70% of the world’s refrigeration products. In the process of achieving the carbon peak in China, it is critical to curb non-CO2 greenhouse gas emissions, including HFCs which are "super” greenhouse gases.

In addition, China is embarking on the implementation of the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer^[3](hereinafter referred to as the Kigali Amendment). It will take effect in China on September 15, 2021, aiming for the phase-out of HFCs by cutting their production and consumption. China will take arduous efforts to smooth the implementation of the Kigali Amendment, including:

•Incorporate HFCs control into the domestic legislative system: Revise the Regulations on the Management of ODS^[4], start adjusting the List of Controlled ODS in China^[5]and the List of Import and Export of Controlled ODS in China^[6], and incorporate HFCs into laws and regulations and the Montreal Protocol.　

•Incorporate the HFCs reduction plan into the National Program for Phasing Out ODS: Carry out HFCs data collection and analysis and industry research, and propose areas, roadmaps and policies for the future implementation of HFCs reduction.  

•Establish and implement an import and export licensing system for HFCs: Relevant ministries and commissions jointly start commodity coding for the import and export of HFCs, include HFCs in the national ODS import and export approval system.

•Introduce new controls to reduce emissions of HFC-23.