The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change held in Kyoto in December 1997 has, for the first time, defined and quantified the role of SF6 in the context of the other major greenhouse gases. The conference has put SF6 into the same "basket" as the major greenhouse gases CO2, N2O, CH4, the CFCs (chlorinated fluorocarbons) and the HFCs (hydrated fluorocarbons). Thus, SF6 will be considered on an equal basis with the major greenhouse gases in the emission reduction targets. It will thus be judged quantitatively and not only in terms of its specific global warming potential.
The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change
11th December, 1997
Article 3
- The Parties included in Annex I shall, individually or jointly, ensure that their aggregate anthropogenic carbon dioxide equivalent emissions of the Annex A do not exceed their assigned amounts, calculated pursuant to their quantified emission limitation and reduction commitments inscribed in Annex B and in accordance with the provisions of this Article, with a view to reducing their overall emissions of such gases by at least 5 per cent below 1990 levels in the commitment period 2008 to 2012.