Recently, with the approval of the State Council, the Ministry of Ecology and Environment, the National Development and Reform Commission, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, the Ministry of Commerce, and the General Administration of Customs jointly issued the "National Plan for China's Implementation of the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer (2025-2030)" (hereinafter referred to as the "National Plan"). The National Plan is formulated based on the Regulations on the Management of Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer, and provides direction for China to carry out the phase out and reduction of ozone depleting substances (ODS) and hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) in the next six years, fulfill its obligations under international environmental conventions, and promote the construction of ecological civilization.

As a major country in the production and application of fire-fighting equipment, China's fire-fighting industry has completely phased out high ozone depleting potential fire extinguishing agents represented by Halons since 2010 through policy guidance, technological innovation, and strict management. The application of hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) fire extinguishing agents in China's fire-fighting industry has been prohibited, and the substitution ratio of HFCs fire extinguishing agents has gradually increased. These achievements not only demonstrate China's responsibility in global environmental governance, but also lay a solid foundation for the green and sustainable development of the fire protection industry.

With the full implementation of the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer (hereinafter referred to as the "Kigali Amendment"), the international community's control requirements for HFCs have been further upgraded. In order to comply with the Kigali Amendment, China implements total control over the production and use of HFCs. Starting from 2024, the production and use of HFCs will be frozen at baseline values of 1.853 billion tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (tCO2) and 905 million tCO2, respectively, and a 10% reduction in baseline values is required by 2029. The fire protection industry, as an important application area of HFC fire extinguishing agents, is facing a new round of challenges in replacing and reducing emissions. The recently released National Plan clarifies the target requirements for HFC compliance and strengthens full lifecycle management measures, providing new opportunities for the green development of the fire protection industry.

One is to increase research and development efforts and develop new clean and efficient fire extinguishing technologies. Currently, HFC fire extinguishing agents such as heptafluoropropane and hexafluoropropane are still widely used in data centers, electrical equipment rooms, cultural relics venues, and other places. With the release of the National Plan, the fire protection industry is facing a gradual reduction of HFC fire extinguishing agents. However, there is currently a lack of suitable alternatives, and compared to developed countries, China lacks independent innovation achievements. Further efforts are needed to increase joint research and development support from universities, research institutions, and enterprises, strengthen independent intellectual property research and development, achieve original innovation, and find new efficient and environmentally friendly gas fire extinguishers with excellent comprehensive performance. Research and propose customized solutions for firefighting needs in special scenarios. For example, for aircraft fire suppression systems, it is necessary to develop alternatives that have fast response, low corrosiveness, and high safety; For electrical equipment rooms, it is necessary to focus on addressing the issues of fire extinguishing agent diffusion and residual toxicity. Through 3-5 years of technological research and development, China has achieved international level or leading in the field of environmental protection and efficient fire extinguishing technology.

The second is to strictly monitor the production and use of Halon and HFC fire extinguishing agents, and develop recycling technologies. Although controlled use production of halogenated fire extinguishing agents has been completely prohibited, recycling and reuse are allowed; Although the reduction of HFC fire extinguishing agents has not yet begun, their production and usage will be controlled and reduced in the future. On the one hand, it is necessary to strengthen the monitoring of the use and quantity of Halon and HFC fire extinguishing agents, increase the punishment for illegal production, use or smuggling of Halon and HFC fire extinguishing agents, scientifically determine the demand for HFC fire extinguishing agents in the fire protection industry, and gradually reduce substitution. On the other hand, we should leverage the role of fire equipment maintenance enterprises and professional institutions, develop recycling technologies, establish a network for fire extinguishing agent recovery, recycle and reuse obsolete Halons and HFCs fire extinguishing agents, and support enterprises in researching purification and regeneration processes for Halons and HFCs to reduce recycling costs and extend the service life of existing inventory.

The third is to improve the standard norms and institutional system, and build a long-term mechanism for green development. Technological substitution and regulatory upgrading require institutional innovation as a guarantee. The National Plan provides a policy framework for the fire protection industry, but further refinement of supporting rules is still needed. Relevant technical standards and specifications need to be revised as soon as possible to promote the application of new clean and efficient fire extinguishing technologies in the fire protection industry, and to develop dual certification methods for environmental protection and efficiency of new fire extinguishing products. The Joint Industry Association has released an action plan for HFC substitution in the fire protection industry, clarifying phased goals and guiding enterprises to transform in an orderly manner. Strengthen policy incentives and provide equipment purchase subsidies to units that adopt environmentally friendly fire extinguishing systems. Carry out demonstration applications of new efficient and clean fire extinguishing technologies in some areas, forming replicable experience models.

(The author is Zhou Xiaomeng, Dean of the School of Safety Science and Engineering at Civil Aviation University of China)