An agreement between the United States and China to cooperate on reducing emissions of hydrofluou-rocarbons could signal the start of negotiations to amend an international treaty to phase out the use of such chemicals in air conditioning and refrigeration units, according to U.S. and international leaders, analysts, and observers. International and U.S. leaders said the agreement announced June 8 by President Obama and Chinese President Xi Jinping marks a potential shift because it will allow both countries to work through the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer to phase down the use and production of HFCs.
展开▼
