VCS has approved a new methodology to quantify greenhouse gas emission reductions from activities that recover and destroy ozone-depleting substances (ODS).

The methodology – VM0016 Recovery and Destruction of Ozone-Depleting Substances (ODS) from Products – was developed by USG Umweltservice GmbH and Energy Changes Projektentwicklung GmbH.  It is applicable to project activities in any country that recover and destroy ODS refrigerants, ODS blowing agents or both.

Ozone-depleting substances are industrial compounds – such as chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) – which diminish stratospheric ozone. ODS refrigerants are used in cooling mechanisms such as air conditioners or refrigerators. ODS blowing agents are used to propel liquid plastic resin for a wide variety of applications such as insulation foam.

ODS compounds can contribute significantly to global warming. Some can have impacts as great as 10,000 times that of carbon dioxide. Recovering and destroying ODS refrigerants and blowing agents properly prevents them from being released to the atmosphere.

The methodology was assessed by two independent validation bodies under the VCS methodology approval process. The first was Tuev Sued and the second was Bureau Veritas, contracted directly by VCS.  All methodology assessment reports and other documents are available on the VM0016 page of the VCS website.

Questions may be sent to: secretariat@v-c-s.org.

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