United Nations Development Programme (UNEP) noted that the Maldives has become the first country to quit the use of Hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFC).

Maldives was the very first country to develop and start the implementation of a comprehensive HCFC Phase-out Management plan with commitments to phase out HCFCs by 2020. The project, which was launched in 2010, was conducted with grant assistance provided by multilateral funds under the Montreal Protocol.

The Environment Ministry of Maldives said 67 metric tonnes of HCFC gases were imported to the Maldives in 2010. However, the use of HCFC has now been eliminated by following the phase-out management plan over the past ten years.

The project was officially concluded on June 18. Speaking at the ceremony held to mark the occasion, Environment Minister Aminath Shauna sad if adequate support and financial assistance is received, the Maldives aims to become a carbon-neutral country by 2030.

Hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) are gases that are categorized as both ozone-depleting substances (ODS) and powerful greenhouse gases with a high global warming potential (GWP).