China: China is to allot USD265m to eliminate the use of hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) according to a Ministry of Environmental Protection announcement. The country is the world's largest producer and consumer of the ozone-layer destroying chemicals, which are still routinely used in the developing world for a variety of uses, including thermal insulation materials.
As a developing country, by 1 January 2013 China is required to keep the production and use of HCFCs at a level equal to the average amount seen in 2009 and 2010. By 2015, the amount should be reduced to 90% of that seen in 2013. By 2030 their routine use should be given-up entirely, save for specific limited purposes such as maintenance.
