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SITUATION
Emissions from GHG chemicals are currently estimated in the range of 2.5 to 3.3 billion tons of CO2e per year, or 5% to 6% of global anthropogenic emissions according to the IPCC 2007 assessment. Projected rapid growth of GHG chemicals, especially hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), makes them of particular concern.
Emissions from GHG chemicals are currently estimated in the range of 2.5 to 3.3 billion tons of CO2e per year, or 5% to 6% of global anthropogenic emissions according to the IPCC 2007 assessment. Projected rapid growth of GHG chemicals, especially hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), makes them of particular concern.
Left unchecked, a 2009 study published by the Environment Investigation Agency projects that HFCs emissions will reach between 5.5 and 8.8 billion tons of CO2e by 2050 due to increasing demand for air conditioning and refrigeration equipment in which HFCs are used.
Growth in HFC emissions occurs as they displace the ozone depleting substances (ODS) phased out under the Montreal Protocol. While HFCs do not deplete the ozone layer, they have perverse global-warming potential hundreds to thousands of times greater than that of carbon dioxide.
Developing countries will likely see the largest increase in future HFC emissions due to rapid adoption of refrigeration and air conditioning, as well as other commercial products that contain HFCs.
OBJECTIVE
Emissions from greenhouse gas (GHG) chemicals pose a significant threat that can be managed using a combination of careful regulation and alternative technologies. Already, the U.S., Canada, Mexico, and other governments have committed to adding HFC regulation to the Montreal Protocol which governs ozone depleting substances.
Emissions from greenhouse gas (GHG) chemicals pose a significant threat that can be managed using a combination of careful regulation and alternative technologies. Already, the U.S., Canada, Mexico, and other governments have committed to adding HFC regulation to the Montreal Protocol which governs ozone depleting substances.
The phasing out of HFCs could deliver a cumulative reduction of 118 to 224 billion tons of CO2e emissions between 2010 and 2050, according to the Environmental Investigation Agency 2009 study. This is an annual average reduction of approximately 3 to 6 billion tons of CO2e.
Specific measures for controlling HFCs include the following:
- Containment measures to reduce leakage
- Incorporation into trading schemes
- Phasing out production and consumption.
Support for HFC phase-out and entrepreneurial activity to provide alternatives to HFC use is critical.
Market-based Approaches
The phase-out of HFCs presents an opportunity for entrepreneurs to develop substitutes and new products. The refrigeration and air conditioning markets are large and growing markets globally that make this an attractive entrepreneurial opportunity. Putting standards in place now to phase out HFCs will encourage innovation in this area and create new markets and companies.
GHG CHEMICALS ARE MORE POTENT THAN CO2
GHG chemicals are many times more potent than carbon dioxide in terms of greenhouse warming potential. Emissions from GHG chemicals are estimated to be in the range of 3.5 to 3 billion tons of CO...
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HFC HAVE MANY USES
HFCs are potent GHG chemicals that are used in refridgerators, air conditioning, and fire extinguishers...
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PHASING OUT HFCS IS NECESSARY
Phasing out HFCs could deliver a cumulative reduction estimated to be in the range of 118 to 224 billion tons of CO2e between 2010 and 2050...
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F-GAS EMISSIONS HAVE MAJOR ROLE
F-gases represented over 1 percent of global anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions in 2004.
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Source: IPCC, 2007
GLOBAL ODS AND HFC EMISSIONS RISING
ODS and HFC chemicals are more potent than CO2 with respect to global warming potential. These chemical are widely used and emissions are projected to rise significantly as populations...
Read more > Source: National Academy of Science (USA), 2009INTELLIGENCE
REPORTS
National Academy of Science (USA), 2009
IEA (Paris), 2009
Environmental Investigation Agency, 2009
ICCA, 2009
