The global deal to limit the employment of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) has been a colossal step forward in the battle against global climate change.

The agreement was announced Saturday morning after negotiations in Kigali, Rwanda and limits / reduces the use of HFCs which is a main contributor to greenhouse gases. The gradual process will begin in 2019 by more than 100 developed countries, including the United States who are the world’s 2^nd worst polluter. China, the world’s largest polluter, will commence taking action in 2024. Other countries, such as India and Pakistan, have pushed to start in 2028 citing that their economies need more time to grow.

HFCs were introduced in the 1980’s as an alternative to ozone-depleting gases however they are now considered a threat to our climate. The use of HFCs has escalated within the last 10 years as growing countries such as India and China have adopted the use of air conditioning in homes, offices and cars. Although air conditioning is the largest factor of HFC growth, the gases are also used in insulating foams, inhalers, fire suppressants and data centre cooling systems.

HFC gases are much more potent and destructive to our climate than carbon dioxide and scientists have stated that their growth is threatening to undermine the Paris Accord, an agreement promising to lower CO2 emissions, which was signed by 195 countries last year.

Environmental groups originally had hoped that the deal could reduce global warming by ½ a degree (Celsius) by the end of this century however currently the deal only gets us about 90% of the way there as compromises had to be made.

Green Motion car rental takes its environmental policy seriously, championing best practices and attitudes to ensure that our impact on the environment is kept to a minimum.

To find out more about environmental best practices, please contact Green Motion car hire directly at greenmotion.com or +44 (0) 2071864000.