| |
|
|
|
 |
 |
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
Best-of-the-Best Stratospheric Ozone
Protection Award, 2007
Awarded by the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency. |
| |
Montreal Protocol Partners Award, 2007
Awarded by the United Nations Environment Program
(UNEP) in recognition of ten years undercover work on illicit trade in chemicals that
damage the ozone layer. |
| |
BBC TV Lifetime Achievement Award, 2003
Awarded to EIA’s president for his work to protect whales. |
| |
Global 500 Roll of Honor, 2001
Awarded by the United Nations Environment Program for “outstanding contributions to the protection of the environment.” |
| |
Albert Schweitzer Award, 1991
Awarded by the late U.S. Senator John Heinz to EIA’s
co-founders for exposing the trade in poached elephant ivory. |
|
| |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For 11 years we have led efforts to phase out industrial gases that, when released, deplete the ozone layer and act as powerful global warming agents. Our worldwide undercover investigations of the lucrative illegal trade in chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) – used in refrigerants and banned under the 1987 Montreal Protocol treaty – have helped to close down much of this underground trade.
More recently, our investigations into the chemical trade have exposed an untapped opportunity in the battle against climate change: the elimination of HCFCs (hydrochlorofluorocarbons) and HFCs (hydrofluorocarbons). These widely used commercial refrigerant gases can be nearly 12,000 times more powerful in warming the atmosphere than equivalent amounts of carbon dioxide (CO2), the main greenhouse gas.
EIA was the key instigator of a September 2007 global agreement under the Montreal Protocol treaty to accelerate the international phaseout of HCFCs – a move that could prevent the release of some 25 billion tons of CO2-equivalent greenhouse gases. In parallel, we are working to promote innovative solutions for reducing HFCs through the U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change processes as well.
[ read more ]
Our pioneering work has received recognition and awards from many quarters, including the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the United Nations Environment Program.
[ read more ]
EIA’s campaign and advocacy work highlighting the role of refrigerant HCFCs and HFCs as powerful global warmers has influenced U.S. leadership in efforts to accelerate the international phaseout of these dangerous chemicals.
In the mid 1990’s, EIA exposed a major illegal trade network, involving CFCs and cocaine, in Florida. An inter-agency task force, headed by the Department of Justice, was subsequently established to clamp down on CFC smuggling into and within the United States. EIA was the primary NGO partner.
In recent years EIA has exposed the role of U.S. strawberry producers in stockpiling and
resisting phaseout of methyl bromide – a toxic fumigant and highly potent ozone-depleting chemical. EIA’s public education and advocacy work on the dangers of skin cancer due to ozone layer depletion helped to limit U.S. exemptions to a 2005 international deadline for phasing out methyl bromide use.
[ read report ]
[ read report ]
| |
|
|
 |