Environmental group raises concerns about loophole in ozone, climate treaty

A new report from an environmental watchdog raises concerns about a loophole in a treaty aimed at cutting production of ozone-depleting and climate-warming substances.

The Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA), an advocacy group, published its report Tuesday finding emissions in the U.S. of the substances that are supposed to be phased out under the Montreal Protocol.

That treaty, established in 1987, calls for the phasedown of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), which both deplete the ozone layer and are powerful planet-warming chemicals. It is considered a rare environmental success story, as the ozone layer is recovering.

A 2016 amendment to the treaty calls for the phasedown of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), which can be hundreds or thousands times more powerful planet-warmers than carbon dioxide. The U.S. ratified that amendment last year following the passage of legislation phasing down the substances in 2020.

The Environmental Investigation Agency, however, notes that they are still used legally as “feedstocks” in the production of other chemicals. 

“It is increasingly clear that emissions from production facilities are significant and not sufficiently quantified, tracked, and controlled,” it said. 

The report also hones in on specific U.S. facilities. 

At a Honeywell facility in Louisiana, it found both CFC and HFC emissions, using infrared detection equipment. 

The Hill has reached out to Honeywell for comment. The company told The Washington Post, which first reported on the group’s findings, that it follows EPA processes and is committed to cutting its emissions. 

“Honeywell complies with and provides air quality reporting as required by the Environmental Protection Agency. We are committed to greenhouse gas reduction and have pledged to become carbon neutral at our facilities and operations,” spokesperson Mike Hockey told the newspaper.

But Avipsa Mahapatra, climate campaign director at EIA U.S. called the group’s finding “damning” in a written statement.

“Fluorochemical production continues to spew significant avoidable emissions, often undisclosed, despite control measures. This industry, culpable for creating a hole in our ozone layer, continues to profit at a massive cost to our climate,” Mahapatra said.