replacing HFCs with natural refrigerants worldwide today

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A recently published study shows that HFC-23 controlled by the Kyoto Protocol still grows strongly. This fuels the argument that Kyoto is a failure and strengthens the need to phase-out HFCs under the Montreal Protocol.

Scientists working for the Scientific and Technology Assessment Panels of the Montreal Protocol have stated an extraordinary growth in the potent greenhouse gas HFC-23.

HFC-23 has 11,700 times the global warming potential (GWP) of carbon dioxide (CO₂), with a long atmospheric lifetime of 260 years and a sizable capacity to radiate heat back towards the earth’s surface (radiative efficiency = 0.19Wm-2ppb-1). It has the highest GWP of all hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) and the second highest among the 6 greenhouse gases covered under the Kyoto Protocol.

HFC-23 is an unwanted byproduct of the production of HCFC-22, another greenhouse gas, which is used as refrigerant in air conditioner and refrigerators. HCFC-22 is scheduled for an accelerated phase-out under the Montreal Protocol, however the destruction of HFC-23 is regulated under the Kyoto Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) that has led to the implementation of the Certified Emission Reductions (CERs).  

 The study published in the January 29 (2010) issue of the Journal Geophysical Research Letters demonstrate that only 43% of HFC-23 emissions are destroyed and that emissions have been growing a lot faster than expected under the regulations. The authors of the study calculated global HFC-23 emissions of 13,500 metric tons annually between 2006 and 2008. This translates into nearly 50% higher emissions than in 1990, with 11,000 metric tons originating from developing countries.  

 BeyondHFCs has always advocated the complete phase-out of HFCs, including HFOs, and very much agrees with Durwood Zaelke, President of the Institute for Governance and Sustainable Development (IGSD), and Director of the International Network for Environmental Compliance and Enforcement, who emphasises that these HFC emissions   

• "are entirely unnecessary" and 
• "are pushing the Earth toward unmanageable climate impacts". 

The continued use of HFCs is all the more unacceptable as economically viable and environmental friendly alternatives, namely natural refrigerants such as CO₂, ammonia and hydrocarbons, exist. Applications using natural refrigerants are available in the market and show better energy efficiency then the competing HFCs with high global warming potential.

The still increasing emissions of HFC-23 provoke many to demand that all HFCs should be regulated under the Montreal Protocol instead of the Kyoto Protocol. The Montreal Protocol has a very high record of compliance and enforcement and is to date the only international treaty comprising every country in the world. 

In 2009, the Montreal Protocol Parties indeed considered proposals submitted by the Federated States of Micronesia and Mauritius (jointly), and the US, Mexico, and Canada (jointly), that would phase down the production and consumption of HFCs under that treaty, leaving emissions in the Kyoto basket of gases. Further discussions on the subject are expected  this year. 


Links

Recent increases in global HFC-23 emissions (Geophysical Research Letters) by S.A. Montzka, L. Kuijpers, M.O. Battle, M. Aydin, K. Verhulst, E.S. Saltzman, D.W. Fahey