Ozone Layer On Track To Recovery: UN Report
"This should encourage us to display the same level of urgency and unity to tackle the even greater challenge of climate change. This latest assessment provides solid science to policy-makers about the intricate relationship between ozone and climate and the need for mutually-supportive measures to protect life on earth for future generations," Jarraud said.
The assessment also notes that there are possible approaches to avoiding the harmful climate effects of these substitutes.
"Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) do not harm the ozone layer but many of them are potent greenhouse gases. They currently contribute about 0.5 gigatonnes of CO2-equivalent emissions per year. These emissions are growing at a rate of about 7 per cent per year. Left unabated, they can be expected the next decades.
"Replacements of the current mix of high-GWP HFCs with alternative compounds with low GWPs or not-in-kind technologies would limit this potential problem," the report said.
The report added that Carbon dioxide, Nitrous Oxide and Methane will have an increasing influence on the ozone layer in the second half of the 21st century.
"What happens to the ozone layer in the second half of the 21st century will largely depend on concentrations of CO2, methane and nitrous oxide ? the three main long-lived greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.
"Overall, CO2 and methane tend to increase global ozone levels. By contrast, nitrous oxide, a by-product of food production, is both a powerful greenhouse gas and an ozone depleting future ozone depletion," the report said.
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