China Ozone – Depleting Substances Management: Fulfilling Montreal Protocol Commitments

China Ozone – Depleting Substances Management plays a pivotal role in global climate and environmental governance. As the world strives s to protect the ozone layer and mitigate climate change, China has been at the forefront of fulfilling its obligations under the Montreal Protocol and its Kigali Amendment.

In 2024, a crucial year for China to implement the Kigali Amendment and impose total control on hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) production and use, the Ministry of Ecology and Environment, together with multiple departments, has established a comprehensive control system. The “National Plan for China’s Implementation of the Montreal Protocol on Substances That Deplete the Ozone Layer (2025 – 2030)”, issued with the approval of The State Council, serves as the top – level design document.

This plan closely follows the implementation targets and the domestic industry development status. It adheres to the synergy of protecting the ozone layer and responding to climate change, conducting actions to phase out and reduce ozone – depleting substances (ODS) and HFCs by industry and substance. The controlled substances include nine types, among which the first eight are ODS with ozone – layer – destructive effects, and HFCs, the ninth type, are high – global – warming – potential greenhouse gases despite no ozone – layer – destructive effect.

The compliance goals set by the National Plan are clear. Firstly, it will continuously prohibit the production and use of phased – out ODS for controlled purposes, consolidating achievements and ensuring sustainable compliance. Secondly, for hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs), the production and usage for controlled uses will be reduced by 67.5% and 73.2% of the baseline values respectively in 2025, and by 97.5% of the baseline values in 2030. Thirdly, for HFCs, the production and usage for controlled uses will both be reduced by 10% of the baseline values in 2029.

Quota licensing management is implemented for production units of controlled substances. Production units with controlled uses, those exempted from controlled uses, and production units selling controlled substances for raw material uses are all included. Sales units are subject to a filing management system and must sell in strict accordance with the classification of controlled substances’ uses. Units with large quantities of by – products are required to install automatic monitoring equipment to strengthen by – product control material management.

For units using HCFCs and HFCs for controlled purposes, quota licensing or filing management is carried out, and time nodes for reduction in each industry are clearly defined. For example, the polyurethane foam industry, the extruded polystyrene foam industry, and the industrial cleaning industry will prohibit the use of HCFCs as foaming agents, solvents, and cleaning agents as of July 1, 2026. All other industries will completely phase out the use of HCFCs for controlled purposes by 2030. Starting from July 1, 2029, the automotive industry will ban the use of refrigerants with a GWP greater than 150 in the air – conditioning systems of newly applied and announced M1 – class vehicles. Meanwhile, the research and application of alternative technologies for natural working refrigerants in the automotive, home appliance, industrial, and cold chain logistics sectors are encouraged.

Maintenance units of refrigeration equipment, refrigeration systems, and fire – extinguishing systems containing controlled substances, as well as units engaged in the recovery, regeneration, and destruction of controlled substances, are subject to filing management. The operation level of refrigeration maintenance and refrigerant recovery and regeneration is improved, and a traceability and flow management system for refrigerant regeneration products is established.

Quota licensing management is implemented for the import and export of controlled substances, and the issuance of approval forms for the import and export of controlled substances is standardized. Except for special uses such as exempted controlled uses and raw material uses, enterprises are no longer allowed to import HCFCs and controlled substances that have been clearly phased out by the state. The trade confirmation means in import and export approval is utilized to prevent potential illegal trade and enhance the ability to investigate and crack down on illegal trade cases.

The fluorine chemical industry, as a vanguard in fulfilling obligations, bears great responsibility. With the release of the “National Plan” and the improvement of related management systems, China’s fluorine chemical industry and related industries are moving towards a greener, low – carbon, and sustainable direction.

Wang Lei, the secretary – general of the China Household Electrical Appliances Association, believes that the “National Plan” provides clear policy guidance and technical support for China’s home appliance industry to carry out compliance actions and promote the elimination, reduction, and substitution of controlled substances.

Chen Shihua, deputy secretary – general of the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers, said that the formulation of policies and regulations and the establishment of a standard system are important institutional guarantees for the automotive industry to achieve the HFCs reduction target. The association will actively cooperate with government departments to study and formulate relevant policies, regulations, and standards for HFCs control in the automotive industry.

Li Jiang, the president of the China Refrigeration and Air – Conditioning Industry Association, said that the industry will take the “National Plan” as a guide, increase R & D investment, strengthen the independent innovation system, and promote the green transformation and upgrading of the industry in an orderly manner.

Meng Qingjun, deputy secretary – general of the China Plastics Processing Industry Association, said that foam enterprises will operate in accordance with the National Plan, make good use of the information management system for ozone – depleting substances, and achieve the goal of completely phasing out HCFC – 141b on schedule.

Zhou Xiaomeng, the dean of the School of Safety Science and Engineering at Civil Aviation University of China, believes that technological substitution and regulatory upgrading in the fire protection industry need institutional innovation guarantee. The National Plan provides a policy framework, and it is necessary to further refine supporting rules, formulate relevant technical standards and norms, and promote the application of new clean and efficient fire – extinguishing technologies.

In conclusion, China’s ozone – depleting substances management, centered around fulfilling the Montreal Protocol and its Kigali Amendment, is a comprehensive and systematic project. Through policy guidance, industry actions, and multi – stakeholder cooperation, it is making remarkable contributions to global climate and environmental governance, while also promoting the green and low – carbon transformation of domestic related industries.