Sen. Franken Urges U.S. Climate Negotiators to Push for Significant Phase Down of Harmful Greenhouse Gas

Press Release

Senator Al Franken and ten of his colleagues urged Secretary of State John Kerry and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Gina McCarthy to take a strong position to rapidly phase down the use of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) in the upcoming negotiations at the 28th Meeting of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol in Kigali, Rwanda.

HFCs--which are chemicals commonly used for refrigeration, air conditioning, and aerosol propellants--are hundreds to tens of thousands times more potent greenhouse gases than carbon dioxide, and the increase in the use of HFCs since 1990 poses a serious climate threat. Significantly reducing the use of HFCs could avoid warming up to 0.5 degrees Celsius by the end of the century, a critical step toward the goals of last year's international agreement in Paris.

"We urge the U.S. negotiating team to take a strong position at the upcoming talks, and work to adopt an ambitious amendment to the Protocol to phase down the use of HFCs," wrote Senator Franken, a member of the Senate Energy Committee.

"With countries all over the world now acknowledging the danger of HFCs, we must ensure that all Parties are held to stringent standards regarding a phasedown plan. Specifically, we believe that the global growth of the production and consumption of HFCs should halt as early as possible, and should be followed by a rapid transition to more sustainable alternatives. A successful agreement negotiated in Kigali is critical to help meet the goals agreed to in Paris, and we encourage you to take advantage of this important opportunity to create a more sustainable future."

Addressing climate change has been one of Sen. Franken's top priorities since joining the Senate. He has fought to reduce harmful greenhouse gases and transition our economy to renewable, homegrown sources of energy. Sen. Franken also attended the international climate summit in Paris late last year, where countries reached a historic deal to address climate change.

Sen. Franken's letter was signed by Sens. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), Edward Markey (D-Mass.), Tom Carper (D-Del.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), and Chris Coons (D-Del).

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