Chemicals contribute to climate change

Alternatives to ozone-depleting chemicals in products like pesticides and aerosols are also contributing to climate change, according to a United Nations report released on Monday.

Many of the more ozone-friendly chemicals were first put into products nearly a decade ago as part of a global accord on reducing the use of chlorofluorocarbons, or CFCs, that deplete the earth's protective ozone layer.

But since Montreal Protocol went into effect in 1997, the less-harmful chemicals have accounted for about five percent of man-made greenhouse gas emissions, said the report from the United Nations Environment Programme.

"There can be no trade-offs between saving the ozone layer and minimising climate change," said UNEP Director Klaus Toepfer.

The UNEP's 31-page report outlined steps governments can take to curtail the use of these chemicals.

The agency suggests governments promote the containment of chemicals to prevent leaks, more recycling and the destruction of dangerous substances. It also suggests the use of alternatives such as ammonia and the development of new technologies that avoid harmful gasses.

Although there are few regulations for these types of chemicals under the Montreal Protocol or the Kyoto Protocol - an international agreement to cut greenhouse gas emissions - the UNEP believes that action on its proposals could halve the effect of these chemicals by 2015.