Evaluating Options for Sustainably Financed Action on ODS and HFC Banks

The Montreal Protocol has achieved remarkable success in controlling the production and use of controlled ozone-depleting substances (ODS) and hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), but unmanaged ‘banks’ of these substances in equipment and stockpiles threaten its legacy.

Annual emissions from ODS and HFC banks are already estimated at 1.5 gigatonnes CO2-equivalent — almost 3 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions.

This report, authored by two international experts, explores sustainable financing mechanisms and policies for managing ODS and HFC banks, assessing lifecycle refrigerant management (LRM) to prevent future accumulation, while addressing existing stocks. It evaluates carbon market limitations and highlights alternatives like multilateral support, national mechanisms and extended producer responsibility (EPR) schemes. With case studies and global data, it offers actionable recommendations for policymakers and industry, stressing urgent, phased and tailored approaches.