The United Nations agreement to phase out the use of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), the greenhouse gas-producing chemicals used in air conditioners and fridges, could be blocked by Republican senators in the US, according to legal analysts. A coalition of environmental groups has filed a lawsuit against President Donald Trump over his decision last week to withdraw from the Paris climate agreement, which aims to limit global warming at least 2C. By limiting the use of HFCs, the new Montreal Protocol amendments could reduce global warming by 1°F by 2100. The Republican party currently controls both houses in Congress and has been largely hostile to climate change legislation. Failure by the US to ratify the agreement could deter other countries from joining the pact.
The United Nations agreement to phase out the use of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), the greenhouse gas-producing chemicals used in air conditioners and fridges, could be blocked by Republican senators in the US, according to legal analysts. A coalition of environmental groups has filed a lawsuit against President Donald Trump over his decision last week to withdraw from the Paris climate agreement, which aims to limit global warming at least 2C. The Republican party currently controls both houses in Congress and has been largely hostile to climate change legislation. Failure by the US to ratify the agreement could deter other countries from joining the pact.