Following the discussion, the Executive Committee decided:
- To note that:
- The May 2003 Technology and Economic Assessment Panel’s HCFC Task Force Report predicted a dramatic increase in HCFC consumption in China in the foreseeable future;
- The intent of the proposed project was also to allow utilization of its results for all Article 5 countries; and
- Established Executive Committee policies did not support conversion of capacity installed after July 1995 nor a second conversion and the study was therefore not aiming at preparing or initiating any conversion projects;
- To approve the project“Development of a suitable strategy for the long-term management of HCFCs, in particular HCFC-22, in China”, addressed in documents UNEP/OzL.Pro/ExCom/43/21 and UNEP/OzL.Pro/ExCom/43/51, at the level of funding of US $300,300 plus support costs for the Government of Germany of US $39,039 on an exceptional basis on the condition that, as one of the outcomes, a study would look into the effects of management of HCFCs in China and in other Article 5 countries; and
- To further note that:
- A schedule for the study, indicating a project duration of 21 months, had been submitted to the Fund Secretariat. Both the Government of Germany and the Government of China would strive to adhere to that schedule;
- The Government of China intended to use relevant outcomes of the study as a basis for subsequent national action by the Government and expected that such action would take place within three years after finalization of the study; and
- Interested Executive Committee members and implementing agencies would be invited to participate in an informal advisory group, which might discuss survey methodologies, the evaluation of information gathered, and policies.