ABSTRACT
This chapter illustrates how articulations of sustainable development, such as safety, health, energy efficiency and protection of natural systems all played a role in the development, diffusion and substitution of Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs). The level of public concern regarding the use of CFCs and their effects on the ozone layer increased dramatically, with the most well-known CFC-containing consumer product—spray cans—taking the blame. In the 1960s, the ozone layer became a public issue in the US as a result of plans to develop supersonic transport civil aircraft which would fly at higher altitudes and therefore emit NOx exhaust gases directly into the stratosphere. In 1990, the US was the main user of air-conditioning both in cars and buildings. The cooperation of developing nations in solving a problem that was mainly caused by developed nations was achieved by providing developing nations with funds to purchase the more advanced CFC-free technologies.
